Inlet coolant pipe getting sucked closed .... : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Dragon400 · 10-26-2003, 04:16 PM

Has this happened to anyones V?
I've had non stop problems with the coolant system so far. Here's what happened from the begining. I picked up my 02 used a couple of months ago ( 940 mi ) and the next day a coolant leak from the overflow bottle cap ( it broke ). Right after that the elbow broke off the coolant pipe, so I got a new coolant inlet pipe and also installed the braided lines.
It seemed fine for awhile, then the overflow bottle cap broke again.
After repairing that, I've been noticeing the coolant inlet pipe getting sucked closed.
I've called everyone so far but not HD in WI. I've talked to some techs and they said it sounded like air. So I blead the system, presure tested it, blead it more and it seemed to work. But yesterday I had it out all day and the next morning it was slighty sucked closed again.

To top this some more..... the other day while at the local dealer, I saw a new 03 V there and that inlet hose was sucked closed too.
WTF
Sorry so long ..... I am completly STUMPED. Does anyone know of this problem I'm having? ....HELP.....
Thanks,
Tony

SuperKaz · 10-26-2003, 09:35 PM

Tony,
Thats a New one!Please post a Pic so we can See what exactly your talking about.Have You tried asking at the other Board?
Kaz............

Max · 10-26-2003, 09:45 PM

Dragon400 that is normal on any coolant system that uses a pressure cap with a coolant recovery tank. When you warm the engine up it will push some fluid into the recovery tank. As the system cools off the fluid will be drawn back into the cooling system from the tank. A vacum occurs in the engine and has to overcome the cap pressure to pull fluid back in. It is the same on cars just before the thermostat opens on many cars you will see the top hose suck completely closed. If you also notice on many cars the lower hose will have a spring to keep it from closing off. Since it is the inlet for the engine they do not want it closed. The top is the exit so it is not improtant and it will open up.

Max

Dragon400 · 10-26-2003, 10:53 PM

Thanks for the replies..... Kaz, I don't have a camera yet.
Max, I know what your saying but have you seen this on these bikes? When I mean it's getting sucked closed, it gets flat like a pancake. And since I've never seen that before on a bike or no one else has heard about it makes me think there's a problem.
Thanks again
Tony