where did my coolant go?

[pierce]

I'm losing large amounts of coolant. Today, had to refill TWICE!

Seriously!

Head gaskets, check.

No exhaust smoke.

Oil, check. Monitored the oil, and no contamination.

Pushed out the res.? Nope, routed it so I could see it. None came out.

No visible drips anywhere.

Where did it go?

[desertrefugee]

No residue around radiator cap - or overflow tank cap? If it's not going into the combustion chamber or leaking onto the ground, you must be losing it while underway. I would think there'd be some telltale sign of it somewhere. Look for dried water spots.

[ritalz]

Look at your spark plugs. I would think a small leak into the combustion chamber is possible.

[pierce]

Spark plugs are good. I am certain it's not a head gasket. Even a drop smokes like a banshee!

I might see some whitish at the connector down near the bottom. I had a very small leak there many months ago and just tightened it up.

This might support a theory (it seems to happen when really warm while riding ) that it leaks out the bottom tube as it heats up. Maybe let it warm up on the center stand and observe? I should replace the tunes anyways, been many years.

[pierce]

Idled in the driveway, no loss? I let it go a few cycles.

So confused.

Seems to only lose it under load, and longer trips in warm weather.

[scootsx2]

Losing the coolant through the weep hole? I just tracked down such a leak on my CX500-based ex-police trike due to a failed mechanical seal on the water pump.

[Track T 2411]

Losing the coolant through the weep hole? I just tracked down such a leak on my CX500-based ex-police trike due to a failed mechanical seal on the water pump.

My thought, as well. It can be hard to spot. You might see a trace of a fluid trail heading back from the hole. I have twisted up an end of paper towel and inserted it to find a slow leak before...

[dontwantapickle]

had to refill twice in one day, and no sign of where the coolant is going......
interesting!

If it was leaking that much, you would know it.
if it was burning that much, you would know it.

[pierce]

Nothing seems to be coming from the weep hole. I even placed a Rubbermaid bin underneath overnight just to make sure I want missing a slow leak.

I should also mention this is my 1200 engine that I fit into a 76 frame. I was not taking it easy when I saw the temp start to rise (never above the white though). It's hard to say what rpm I was hitting, as I had to remove the mechanical tach. This thing can hit 60 and beyond in 2nd, and then shift straight to 4th.

[pierce]

I know, it's really driving me nuts. Rode it around town this morning, and no loss at all.

It's seems to happen when the engine has been running for a while, and hot. Then just all of the sudden, the gauge goes up.

had to refill twice in one day, and no sign of where the coolant is going......
interesting!

If it was leaking that much, you would know it.
if it was burning that much, you would know it.

[Whiskerfish]

Almost sounds like she is boiling over and dumping out the tank over flow on to the ground while you are riding? Maybe a new rad cap just for grins

[ericheath]

Plus1, or check the sealing surface on the radiator cap area. I had a similar situation and it ended up that I had bent the sealing surface where the cap screws on enough to give it a weak seal.

Try swapping caps from your other bike.

[desertrefugee]

Look for water spots...

[flyday58]

You could try a temporary plug in the overflow line, ride it like you stole it, then check for Aunty Freeze in the line to see if that's where it's going.

[gltriker]

Engine crankcase oil level increasing?

edit: NOPE. I went back and read post#1.