Coolant leak
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 99
From: P.E.I. Canada
Coolant leak
So before I even get out for my first ride of the year, I had the bike started up so I could hear my de-cated exhaust for the first time and I get a nice bark out of the back end, and steam from the front end. A let down to say the least... So I pop the lid of the lower, it's down on coolant but everything looks dry. Looking from the front the rad itself is wet. I'm obviously going to be taking it in (luckily the dealer is only 15 minutes away) for warranty, but wondering if anyone has an idea to what it could be.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 338
Likes: 23
From: Wisconsin
So before I even get out for my first ride of the year, I had the bike started up so I could hear my de-cated exhaust for the first time and I get a nice bark out of the back end, and steam from the front end. A let down to say the least... So I pop the lid of the lower, it's down on coolant but everything looks dry. Looking from the front the rad itself is wet. I'm obviously going to be taking it in (luckily the dealer is only 15 minutes away) for warranty, but wondering if anyone has an idea to what it could be.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 99
From: P.E.I. Canada
Not cool.... I thought they had these problems fixed after the 14's. It seems to be dry around the thermostat, but I can't see all the way around it. I guess I never checked the level before putting it away for the winter, but it's sitting at about half now, and was still steaming when I left it in the garage. I guess my first ride of the year will be a short one and one way...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,216
Likes: 3,045
From: St.Louis Mo.
not one of the wetheads come from the factory full. they burp and then you either bite the bullet and spend $22 on a gallon of HD antifreeze or maybe your dealer will have a kind heart and top it off. another problem hd needs to make right.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
My '15 Limited has never given me any issues, and the coolant level has always been full.
So, guess my dealer made sure it was right before they let it out the door.
Coming up on 10,000 miles and a little over a year of ownership now.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,198
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From: Long Island NY
You didn't check it before you put it away so it could have been low from last year, that would possibly solve one problem. Could the wet on the radiator have been condensation that needed to burn off, maybe from a warm garage/cold outside temp or vice-versa? Just throwing it out there, curious to know the cause...good luck!
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 99
From: P.E.I. Canada
You didn't check it before you put it away so it could have been low from last year, that would possibly solve one problem. Could the wet on the radiator have been condensation that needed to burn off, maybe from a warm garage/cold outside temp or vice-versa? Just throwing it out there, curious to know the cause...good luck!
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 99
From: P.E.I. Canada
It may be a week or two before I get the bike taken in and fixed, but I'll be sure to update when I get it figured out. I'm sure the rest of you "wet head" guys will be interested in the results.