Radiator leak

[Mouth]

2015 RIII roadster - went for a ride a couple days ago and when I pulled in for fuel noticed a load of white spray up both sides of the engine which seemed to originate from the rad. On closer inspection there were 2 wet spots in the centre portion of the radiator, no fast flowing leak happening but it was wet. Put some leak stopper in there and drove it back home, now I've removed the covers etc and used a heat gun to dry off both areas they just get wet straight away again. I cannot see any visual hole or damage so it must be pretty **** small!

if I drain the rad and use some repair resin around the area will that hold? It's certainly not spurting out under any pressure but it's enough to get blown out onto the engine while I ride.

Thinking of using this stuff - Plastic Padding Leak Fix Sealer Repair Filler Adhesive Water Petrol Resistant | eBay

Any advice is welcome!

 

[idk]

You may have to get at it from the engine side of the radiator, so after going to all the trouble of removing or loosening the radiator it may be worth taking it to a radiator repair place and having it repaired correctly. Personally, I would use a hi-temp JB-Weld type product and just put it on the leak - but that may be a bit too Redneck for some.

 

[scot in exile]

Is it still under warranty. If not take it to a radiator repair shop

 

[idk]

Warranty is good if it a bike fault, but not if it was caused by a rock or other outside forces. The trouble is that if you take the bike in, and they do the work to find the cause you are so far in that you have to pay the rest of their charges to get your bike back if they claim that it is not warranty.

It is not hard to take the radiator off. I like to take the front mudguard off first to prevent damage to it, but others put a blanket on it to prevent scratches. either way works.

 

[Mouth]

Thanks guys, I had another look today with all the covers still off and in good light, I can see the front and back of the wet patch and cannot see a hole or any damage from a stone etc. I am taking the bike to the local dealer tomorrow for a new map since I changed the exhaust so i'll have a word with them to see if it can be done under warranty....I did phone a radiator specialist also to gauge prices for braising it, when I asked how long they would need the rad for he said the longest part of the operation is waiting for the resin to cure :-/ so no braising there then!

 

[scot in exile]

What exhaust did you put on?

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

PLEASE be sure to thoroughly flush and remove the stop leak product from your cooling system and engine. You will have problems with your engine from that gunk being in there.

 

[Mouth]

@scot in exile I put on a carpenter 3 into 1 into 2, sounds nice just running not quite right. The plan is to get a map now, then i'm going for a Ram air kit in the future along with a power commander.

@Idaho Red Rocket 3 Yes, will do. It was a temporary measure, after the dealer tomorrow I will either have it booked in for a warranty repair (probably not) or the rad will be coming off so i'll drain, flush and re-fill after that.

 

[BenchracerBob]

Just noticed a leak in my radiator, there appears to be a pin hole leak centre left. Very slow leak am getting spots of dried coolant on LHS boot, covers and engine. Can't see any stone damage.

 

[Mouth]

Ok a follow up from this! My bodge epoxy Fox kind of worked/slowed the leak up until now. So I have a higher volume leak now and from the same area, I don’t want to further bodge fix it I’d rather change out the rad. Is there an alternative supplier rather than the dealer for this? I’ve not been able to fine one in Ebay for a 2015?