Drinking coolant
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 36
Likes: 14
From: San Antonio
Drinking coolant
22 TG will drain the coolant reservoir dry in about 100 miles. The temp light comes on and throws a code for the pump. No leaks anywhere. Nothing out of the over flow. Pump runs and all works as it should be with coolant. I've never seen or smelled anything coming out of the exhaust. I read where you can get a sweet smell from the exhaust if it's burning coolant. Consuming that amount of coolant can't be good.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
Pull a plug from each cylinder. They will be bright white if it's getting coolant into cylinder.
Be interesting to hear of others getting coolant into cylinder. The original twin cool had a cast in pipe that coolant runs thru.
That would be an unusual leak into cylinder.
Remove the filler cap and bump the throttle. See any bubbles.
Be sure to burp it before putting reservoir to line to your exact model in service manual.
In my experience only with cars, a coolant leak into cylinder only occurs on cool down. Under pressure, tends to seal it unless it's bad till moter starts cooling off.
And if it's bad, you will see bubbles in radiator and coolant in the oil.
Check and keep an eye on oil and it's level.
Be interesting to hear of others getting coolant into cylinder. The original twin cool had a cast in pipe that coolant runs thru.
That would be an unusual leak into cylinder.
Remove the filler cap and bump the throttle. See any bubbles.
Be sure to burp it before putting reservoir to line to your exact model in service manual.
In my experience only with cars, a coolant leak into cylinder only occurs on cool down. Under pressure, tends to seal it unless it's bad till moter starts cooling off.
And if it's bad, you will see bubbles in radiator and coolant in the oil.
Check and keep an eye on oil and it's level.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jun 23, 2025 at 11:43 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Yes coolant can smell somewhat like maple syrup ( common in heater core leaking inside a car ) ... a pressure test done on a cold and warm engine might help ... Also look for "bubbles" in reservoir as mentioned
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,623
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From: Honah Lee
I think the radiator fill and reservoir are separate Bubbles probably won't be in reservoir.
If you do see bubbles in reservoir or turbulence in reservoir, the radiator cap is bad or the neck seat.
The first Twin Cools had a defective neck were the seat area was too deep from the top.
If you do see bubbles in reservoir or turbulence in reservoir, the radiator cap is bad or the neck seat.
The first Twin Cools had a defective neck were the seat area was too deep from the top.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jun 23, 2025 at 01:06 PM.
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From: Chicago
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 675
Likes: 252
From: Alberta
Had trouble with my 2021 tri glide puking coolant. Pump seemed to be running, but it actually was not running. Pump had to be replaced and the cap for the coolant overflow tank had to be replaced. Runs great now.
On one of the forms it was said that the coolant supplied by HD needs to be changed at 2 year intervals. As it ages the viscosity apparently increases wrecking the pump.
So I'm planning on changing coolant every two years or earlier. I also am contemplating using the same coolant as my 5 litre mustang as that engine is aluminum and coolant seems to fine for a number of years.
On one of the forms it was said that the coolant supplied by HD needs to be changed at 2 year intervals. As it ages the viscosity apparently increases wrecking the pump.
So I'm planning on changing coolant every two years or earlier. I also am contemplating using the same coolant as my 5 litre mustang as that engine is aluminum and coolant seems to fine for a number of years.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: South Carolina
The coolant is made by Peak, and is the same product they sell for North American automobiles, it has a 15 year/400,000 mile life.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jul 4, 2025 at 08:12 AM.