Radiator Fluid Leaking and a little smoke

[Motown_VROD]

My V-Rod has 2800 miles on it and the other day I noticed a redish liquid on the right side of the engine. Didn't know what it was at the time, but I had never seen it.

I've riden a few times since then for short distances and today after a quick trip I noticed more of the liquid. So like a good forum member I searched for coolant and found that some people had the cap or the hose break off the overflow reservoir. So I took the airbox cover and side cover off to see that the coolant was very low (almost nothing in the reservoir) and nothing unusual or broken.

I also couldn't see or feel any coolant where it was leaking from. So I started the bike and let it run for a while and noticed the small hose (there are two right next to each other and the run horizontal to the frame) that returns from the vertical radiator that splits the V is leaking a little where the shrink wrap is at, which is just over the exhaust the enters the front cylinder. I then noticed smoke coming from the area where that hose enters the radiator. I could not tell what was causing it or where it was coming from. I took the flashlight and looked into the radiator to see a stream of where the coolant had flowed right down the front of the radiator. It had collected in the bottom of the interior of the radiator cover and was leaking out the left side of the radiator when on the stand.

What gives???? I was getting ready to head to the South from Michigan (wanted to go where it was warm, the 60 degree weather sucks) with the group tomorrow afternoon for a 5 day ride through the smokey mountains and now can't because of this crap. Any ideas of what the problem is or a quick fix????

[ChopperSteve]

Check the clamps on the Rad Hoses at the radiator, may be loose [ not bad ]
The coolant on the engine may be from the "weep" hole on the water pump[ a bad thing]
I would top her off[ youll need extended life antifreeze/ NO SILICA] and bleed the system [ through the airbox] and have it pressure checked. most service stations/shops should have the small adapter for their Stuert Pump.
Good Luck: Steve

[mjw930]

Cross posted from general area

Could be something as simple as a loose hose clamp or slpit hose or as bad as a broken radiator fitting. You can either tear it down and look for the problem or take it to the dealer and wait.

I checked the service manual and it looks like your seeing an oil line and not a water line. Here's the drawing of the water lines. I'd look at the connection I circled.

Sorry, nothing better comes to mind.

[TR_SanDiego]

My bike had two leaks. First one was at the shrink clamp where the #9 is pointing in the drawing and the other was at the hose fitting on the radiator. Left side. The shop is working on getting a replacement. I've got 4700 miles on it and it ran great, no overheating. Just started leaking.

[flying V]

I tightened those #12 clanps and 400 miles later...no more redish fluid on chrome covers.
Knock on wood.

[V-Fred]

Same problem on left side. Shrink fitting leaks. They had to order a new hose because of the shrink fitting. Bike was laid up two weeks waiting for the part. I was more than a little upset. I asked the tech to put a screw clamp while we waited on the part, but he refused. He had to fix it by the book under warrenty.

[larry273]

Tightening the #12 clamp worked magic for me (fingers crossed). When the mechanic explained it, it sounded so simple that I decided not to waste the time bringing it in for warranty work.

His discription was perfect. It took five minutes to tighten the clamp.

[Big One - SR]

I noted my Coolant Overflow tank was empty. So I went to HD to overpay for a gallon....they were sold out.
Any recomendations on a replacement or aftermark collant type.