Coolant Reservoir Levels

[kjmarti2]

Hey guys,

I've been enjoying the Phoenix over the last few weeks, and I've also been noticing the coolant level in the reserve tank has been fluctuating quite a bit. I filled it up to the full line a few weeks ago and it had slowly been falling until it hit just under midway last night. Went for a ride this afternoon and saw one drop of coolant on the ground in the garage. No signs of a leak anywhere, even at the water pump weep hole. The reserve coolant tank is now almost up at the full line again. Any ideas on what's going on here?

[Track T 2411]

The 'tank' is an expansion reservoir, and the fluid level fluctuates based on the coolant temperature as well as fill level. It should be fairly consistent if always checked when cold, or always checked at normal operating temperature. It does also have an overflow tube which may explain the 'drop' of coolant on the garage floor, either residual fluid from a past overflow, or condensate. (I apologize if this is an obvious explanation...)

[kjmarti2]

The 'tank' is an expansion reservoir, and the fluid level fluctuates based on the coolant temperature as well as fill level. It should be fairly consistent if always checked when cold, or always checked at normal operating temperature. It does also have an overflow tube which may explain the 'drop' of coolant on the garage floor, either residual fluid from a past overflow, or condensate. (I apologize if this is an obvious explanation...)

Ah yeah, this time was the first time I checked it while it was hot so it might not have been an accurate reading. I'll check it in a few hours to see if it's still at the same level. Still a bit worrisome that I've been steadily losing coolant over the last few weeks somehow, but I'll just keep an eye on it for now.

[pidjones]

There are two lines on the overflow tank. You should fill to the lower line when COLD. When you take the top off, there are two lines to it. Make sure the one going forward to the radiator cap neck is attached to the connection with the tube going down into the tank. The other connection goes out another tube to the ground. And use only silicate-free antifreeze (Honda auto dealer parts department is much cheaper than motorcycle for the same Honda coolant).

[kjmarti2]

At first glance, this appears to be the source of my coolant leak. Is this a sign of needing a water pump replacement?

20200515_120025.jpg

[Track T 2411]

That indentation is a casting plug. The transmission cover has a water channel that joins the block there, and seals with an o-ring, and the cover gasket itself. That gasket (if it is indeed a gasket) looks kind of funky to me...
As for the water pump, there is a weep hole directly aft the lower radiator hose housing on the bottom of the engine. If the water pump seals or bearings go bad, antifreeze and/ or oil will leak from the weep hole. I will tell you, however, that I've had a bad water pump that didn't leak enough to be noticeable, and on another engine found that the weep hole had been gooped full of silicone to 'plug the leak.' Just saying...

[kjmarti2]

That indentation is a casting plug. The transmission cover has a water channel that joins the block there, and seals with an o-ring, and the cover gasket itself. That gasket (if it is indeed a gasket) looks kind of funky to me...
As for the water pump, there is a weep hole directly aft the lower radiator hose housing on the bottom of the engine. If the water pump seals or bearings go bad, antifreeze and/ or oil will leak from the weep hole. I will tell you, however, that I've had a bad water pump that didn't leak enough to be noticeable, and on another engine found that the weep hole had been gooped full of silicone to 'plug the leak.' Just saying...

Thanks. Not too long after my last post I saw a single drop on the floor under the weep hole, so it's probably time. Hopefully I can make it thru the season and just top off when necessary. Wasn't planning to wrench that hard until the fall, I need a break from the hard stuff..