Steal leaking,.................
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Texarkana, TX
Steal leaking,.................
Well,.... the title says it all. I have taken in my 14 Limited MANY times for leaks. I'll list below everything that's been done:
1. I took it in because coolant was low - Dealer added coolant and sent me home
2. Coolant dumped out while going down road - dealership picked up bike said there was air in system, they purged out air and refilled it and delivered it back to me.
3. Coolant overflowed when killed engine - dealership picked up bike and added (new coolant neck)
4. puddle of coolant under bike before going on ride - dealership picked up bike, service manager said H-D sent them the old style filler neck and they put on new"(program filler neck) and said thermostat housing was cracked and put on new upgraded thermostat housing.
5. Went on cold morning 25 degree ride and then (toy run) - at end of 60 mile very cold ride I notice a very small puddle (size of silver dollar) under bike and bike was 1/2 low of coolant, after finishing ride coolant tank was almost completely empty. Had to have dumped most all of coolant while in motion.
Is there anyone else on here that's still having coolant issues, or is it just me? I really want to love my new Limited but damn im loosing my patience. Its been so bad that I've been in contact with H-D's area service rep and he gave me the recommendation of a new dealership. I've owned my new Limited for 3 months and its been in the shop for appx 1 month, and fixing to go back in the shop tomorrow.
1. I took it in because coolant was low - Dealer added coolant and sent me home
2. Coolant dumped out while going down road - dealership picked up bike said there was air in system, they purged out air and refilled it and delivered it back to me.
3. Coolant overflowed when killed engine - dealership picked up bike and added (new coolant neck)
4. puddle of coolant under bike before going on ride - dealership picked up bike, service manager said H-D sent them the old style filler neck and they put on new"(program filler neck) and said thermostat housing was cracked and put on new upgraded thermostat housing.
5. Went on cold morning 25 degree ride and then (toy run) - at end of 60 mile very cold ride I notice a very small puddle (size of silver dollar) under bike and bike was 1/2 low of coolant, after finishing ride coolant tank was almost completely empty. Had to have dumped most all of coolant while in motion.
Is there anyone else on here that's still having coolant issues, or is it just me? I really want to love my new Limited but damn im loosing my patience. Its been so bad that I've been in contact with H-D's area service rep and he gave me the recommendation of a new dealership. I've owned my new Limited for 3 months and its been in the shop for appx 1 month, and fixing to go back in the shop tomorrow.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 7
Tell them you are giving them 1 final chance to fix it, and if it's not fixed, you want a new bike. You may want to mention that you have spoken to your legal counsel and that was his advice before he steps in.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Texarkana, TX
I will make a prediction right now,....... If Harley don't make some big (fix) with the coolant system by the time the spring/summer riding season gets here. You will see MANY MANY posts from frustrated 14 Limited owners.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 39
From: Central Florida
What makes the situation so amazing to me also is we keep hearing about how 'simple' the system is, yet they don't seem to be able to completely wrap their heads around what is happening. Personally I think the tiny amount of coolant in the system just makes random 'air' situations too easy. That combined with obviously some **** parts being made have led to a lot of issues it seems.
I still expect them to make some modifications to the system in 2015. I think it was rushed and since they had to keep the veil of secrecy up, it was not tested fully. Then again, I'm not a mechanic and what I say could mean absolutely nothing. LOL
I still expect them to make some modifications to the system in 2015. I think it was rushed and since they had to keep the veil of secrecy up, it was not tested fully. Then again, I'm not a mechanic and what I say could mean absolutely nothing. LOL
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
The first thing they need to do is to find a way to put an easy to get to purge valve at the highest point in the system so it's easier to get all the air out of the system.
lp
lp
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 84
From: New Jersey
Well,.... the title says it all. I have taken in my 14 Limited MANY times for leaks. I'll list below everything that's been done:
1. I took it in because coolant was low - Dealer added coolant and sent me home
2. Coolant dumped out while going down road - dealership picked up bike said there was air in system, they purged out air and refilled it and delivered it back to me.
3. Coolant overflowed when killed engine - dealership picked up bike and added (new coolant neck)
4. puddle of coolant under bike before going on ride - dealership picked up bike, service manager said H-D sent them the old style filler neck and they put on new"(program filler neck) and said thermostat housing was cracked and put on new upgraded thermostat housing.
5. Went on cold morning 25 degree ride and then (toy run) - at end of 60 mile very cold ride I notice a very small puddle (size of silver dollar) under bike and bike was 1/2 low of coolant, after finishing ride coolant tank was almost completely empty. Had to have dumped most all of coolant while in motion.
Is there anyone else on here that's still having coolant issues, or is it just me? I really want to love my new Limited but damn im loosing my patience. Its been so bad that I've been in contact with H-D's area service rep and he gave me the recommendation of a new dealership. I've owned my new Limited for 3 months and its been in the shop for appx 1 month, and fixing to go back in the shop tomorrow.
1. I took it in because coolant was low - Dealer added coolant and sent me home
2. Coolant dumped out while going down road - dealership picked up bike said there was air in system, they purged out air and refilled it and delivered it back to me.
3. Coolant overflowed when killed engine - dealership picked up bike and added (new coolant neck)
4. puddle of coolant under bike before going on ride - dealership picked up bike, service manager said H-D sent them the old style filler neck and they put on new"(program filler neck) and said thermostat housing was cracked and put on new upgraded thermostat housing.
5. Went on cold morning 25 degree ride and then (toy run) - at end of 60 mile very cold ride I notice a very small puddle (size of silver dollar) under bike and bike was 1/2 low of coolant, after finishing ride coolant tank was almost completely empty. Had to have dumped most all of coolant while in motion.
Is there anyone else on here that's still having coolant issues, or is it just me? I really want to love my new Limited but damn im loosing my patience. Its been so bad that I've been in contact with H-D's area service rep and he gave me the recommendation of a new dealership. I've owned my new Limited for 3 months and its been in the shop for appx 1 month, and fixing to go back in the shop tomorrow.
The second is bad thermostat housings. At this point in time, I don't believe there is a "new" fixed thermostat in existence. According to my conversations with my dealer, Caltherm, the manufacturer is still trying to figure out why some (a lot) of them leak at the elbow connection. There is a "program" coming to address this issue but as of now HD and Caltherm are still trying to figure out what the manufacturing defect is. As of last week, the dealer's should be getting thermostats directly from Caltherm and sending any leakers directly back to Caltherm. This is the process that will allow them to figure out what the issue is. Once that happens, there will be a "program" to get good thermostats to everyone.
A buddy of mine is going through this at the moment with his 2014 Limited. He has gotten two bad thermostats directly from Caltherm, so they don't have it solved yet.
BTW, my 2014 Limited, bought at the same time from the same dealer and with more miles on it than his, has had zero leakage issues. I was about to get the "program" filler neck installed this week and the snow hit in NJ. This will probably all have to wait until the spring for me which is probably a blessing as I'm sure they will have the thermostat issue resolved by then as well.
Last edited by offthewall; Dec 15, 2013 at 04:40 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 23
From: Mishawaka,Indiana
This system has been around for a while so not rushed, but plagued with supplier issues. That happens with any production, the test pieces were ok then the mass production ones something happened. I am sure caltherm engineers are sweating it right now. Mike
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 609
Likes: 14
From: Mount Airy, MD
My thermostat is leaking at the elbow. The dealer is supposed to come and get mine with an enclosed trailer on 12/19/2013 but I think I'm going to cancel and wait until I can get my own trailer out of the snow on the side of my house. Maybe that will give them some time to work out the thermostat issues.