Leaking coolant

Spawn

.040 Over
Joined
Jan 30, 2018
Messages
93
Location
Northern California
Ride
2008 Rocket 3 Classic
I've looked through all the threads on this topic and it seems that everyone has found success but me. I started seeing a small drop of coolant after riding and after sitting overnight. Replaced the gasket not once but twice. Got jiggy with the gasket seal the third time. Still leaking same spot. Discussed the weap hole possibility and decided to replace the whole water pump. I thought I had beaten it but its still leaking. Local triumph dealer is scratching their heads. Meanwhile I'm considering three options: 1. Swap out the entire motor. 2. Sell the bike and get something Japanese. 3. Get something Japanese for daily riding and keep the Rocket as a novelty for limited use. There's also a funky idle. But we'll talk about that another time! ☺☺


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I know I’m not being any help, but....JB Weld putty. :rolleyes::banghead::inlove It looks like you have a gap in the housing. Is that a weep hole? I guess I’ll have to look at mine closer. I would suspect some kind of a surface mating defect. I hate leakage! I’m sure that will invite some comments.
 
CHECK ALL RADIATOR HOSES. It may not be leaking where you think.

I had a leak following hose replacement. It was the Radiator top hose - was trickling down the rear face of the rad and then behind one of the pump hoses and then over the rear face of the pump. Took a while to trace.

If you have the antifreeze which fluoresces - buy a cheepo Ultra Violet torch.
 
I had the same leak showing up at the water pump's weep hole when temperatures were below 50F. I replaced the water pump. I've seen no leaking yet but have to wait for cooler temperatures to confirm.
I rode my bike for 2 years with the condition until reading a thread, here, where a poster reinforced what I knew all along. Eventually, a water pump leak would become a pump failure disabling the bike.
 
I've looked through all the threads on this topic and it seems that everyone has found success but me. I started seeing a small drop of coolant after riding and after sitting overnight. Replaced the gasket not once but twice. Got jiggy with the gasket seal the third time. Still leaking same spot. Discussed the weap hole possibility and decided to replace the whole water pump. I thought I had beaten it but its still leaking. Local triumph dealer is scratching their heads. Meanwhile I'm considering three options: 1. Swap out the entire motor. 2. Sell the bike and get something Japanese. 3. Get something Japanese for daily riding and keep the Rocket as a novelty for limited use. There's also a funky idle. But we'll talk about that another time! ☺☺
20190424_181459.jpg
20190424_181459.jpg
When you changed the pump did you change the cover. I'm not sure if a new comes with the pump or not? If not after eliminating hose and clamp leaks I'd be wondering about t but e cover being flat or possibly the O-ring groove being a tad deep? Just thinking out loud :)
 
CHECK ALL RADIATOR HOSES. It may not be leaking where you think.

I had a leak following hose replacement. It was the Radiator top hose - was trickling down the rear face of the rad and then behind one of the pump hoses and then over the rear face of the pump. Took a while to trace.

If you have the antifreeze which fluoresces - buy a cheepo Ultra Violet torch.

I've seen 3 different rockets do this exact thing, 2 owned by captains who are meticulous about their maintenance.
 
One of the bolts holding the water pump is a bleeder and so may leak if not fastened correctly. From memory, it has a small o-ring or something. Check the manual. Some gasket goo around the bolt thread will stop the problem as well
 
One of the bolts holding the water pump is a bleeder and so may leak if not fastened correctly. From memory, it has a small o-ring or something. Check the manual. Some gasket goo around the bolt thread will stop the problem as well


Top bolt on the cover it has a copper washer. Add a dab of Permatex or Hylomar gasket material. Doesn't hurt to use Hylomar around the O-ring surface; that I've done many a time.
 
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