Question for 2014 Ultra Limited owners
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Texarkana, TX
Question for 2014 Ultra Limited owners
I now have appx 1400 miles on my Limited and other than a few radio issues and the clutch recall my bike has been trouble free. A couple of weeks ago I was at my dealer and had him top off my coolant level while I was there because it looked low. Yesterday I took a lil ride (approx 50 miles) over to visit a buddy and few hours later I was showing my bike to another friend there. I popped off the cover to show him the coolant reservoir on the 14's and I noticed it was completely bone dry empty. I have no idea where the coolant could be going because after reading some of the "puking" threads I always find myself looking for any type of overflowing when I stop. I contacted my dealer and he stated that he would send one of their guys over Monday to pick up the bike.
But my biggest question is where in the world has the coolant been going to since there is no signs of leakage?
But my biggest question is where in the world has the coolant been going to since there is no signs of leakage?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,824
Likes: 603
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Hmmm, if it's a overflow bottle, and the bike was hot, maybe the fluid was circulating in the motor and will return to the bottle later. Just my 2 cents. Never had any issues with mine, overfilling was the problem on lots of other bikes as well as not putting the cap on properly.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Texarkana, TX
Nope, bike had sat a long while (a few Hours) and the whole engine was cool to the touch. Its just kinda puzzling to me where the fluid is going. The only thing I can think of is maybe it is leaking out when Im riding, but I would figure there would be some kinda trace of it since I'm a neat freak and clean my bike regularly.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
I have a quick question about this cooling system. I read that if you turn the ignition on and roll back the throttle more than 50%, the fans turn on. When you do this procedure, does the pump also turn on or just the fans?
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Texarkana, TX
I was told that it turns on the fans and the pump.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 164
From: Northern California
I have a 14 Limited too, 1,200 miles. Cooling system has leaked three times. They keep replacing parts. I am not convinced that the MoCo has a solid fix that will provide a trouble free future for the twin cooled owners. I hope they are working on a big fix that puts this issue once and fkr all.
Your coolant only has two ways to escape. The cooling system or the heads.
Lets hope for a real big fix that makes the system worry free as it should be. I think we would all agree that the 14 touring bikes are a huge step forward, they just need to deal
with the
Your coolant only has two ways to escape. The cooling system or the heads.
Lets hope for a real big fix that makes the system worry free as it should be. I think we would all agree that the 14 touring bikes are a huge step forward, they just need to deal
with the
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 164
From: Northern California
Darn, smart phone.....they need to put the coolant issue in the rear viw mirror. Like they did the clutch issue.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 284
Likes: 9
From: Louisville, Ky.
I'm hoping they figure out the puking issue as well as I'll be in the market for a new Road Glide when the new 15's come out. I have read the MOCO says if the system looses coolant its safe to ride to the nearest dealer. To me thats a bold statement cause strictly speaking you could be several hundred miles from the nearest dealer depending on where you are.
On a different note I drive a Peterbilt with a Cummins engine. Mine and just about every other truck in the fleet from time to time looses coolant. Where it goes noone knows, theres no sign of a leak and during pressure tests it doesn't leak. It doesn't puke the whole system and in a system that holds about 8 gallons you usually only have to add around a gallon. It's a mystery we've been dealing with for a long time.
On a different note I drive a Peterbilt with a Cummins engine. Mine and just about every other truck in the fleet from time to time looses coolant. Where it goes noone knows, theres no sign of a leak and during pressure tests it doesn't leak. It doesn't puke the whole system and in a system that holds about 8 gallons you usually only have to add around a gallon. It's a mystery we've been dealing with for a long time.
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I've heard three possible problems with the cooling system:
1) Faulty pressure cap, which allows a pop-off at lower pressures than intended, causing "puking" coolant from the overflow line.
2) Faulty thermostat housing that allows leakage.
3) Faulty pump impeller.
The first two issues will result in lost coolant. No. 1 will be evident by visible coolant on the ground beneath your bike AFTER the bike has been parked. I'm not aware of anyone claiming a pop-off overflow during riding.
No. 2 could occur while riding and would be perhaps more insidious, as you don't have the tell-tale sign of a coolant puddle under the bike. The only thing that might tip you off would be a low coolant level in the reservoir - which appears to be what you're experiencing.
I'm only stating what I've heard, as I've not experienced them all. I have, however, experienced No. 1, and my pressure cap has been tested and replaced. For the record, mine only seemed to loose its coolant if I was stuck for a period of time in slow, stop-and-go traffic followed by parking the bike and turning it off. Normal highway or around-town riding did not cause an overflow. Time will tell whether the pressure cap replacement remedies my issues.
Keep us updated on your experience.
Steve
1) Faulty pressure cap, which allows a pop-off at lower pressures than intended, causing "puking" coolant from the overflow line.
2) Faulty thermostat housing that allows leakage.
3) Faulty pump impeller.
The first two issues will result in lost coolant. No. 1 will be evident by visible coolant on the ground beneath your bike AFTER the bike has been parked. I'm not aware of anyone claiming a pop-off overflow during riding.
No. 2 could occur while riding and would be perhaps more insidious, as you don't have the tell-tale sign of a coolant puddle under the bike. The only thing that might tip you off would be a low coolant level in the reservoir - which appears to be what you're experiencing.
I'm only stating what I've heard, as I've not experienced them all. I have, however, experienced No. 1, and my pressure cap has been tested and replaced. For the record, mine only seemed to loose its coolant if I was stuck for a period of time in slow, stop-and-go traffic followed by parking the bike and turning it off. Normal highway or around-town riding did not cause an overflow. Time will tell whether the pressure cap replacement remedies my issues.
Keep us updated on your experience.
Steve
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Texarkana, TX
stellarpod,
You might just be correct. Hopefully Harley will come up with a solution soon. I will still say that Harley has built the best touring bike currently made. I just hope they come up with a solution soon.
You might just be correct. Hopefully Harley will come up with a solution soon. I will still say that Harley has built the best touring bike currently made. I just hope they come up with a solution soon.