Back the dealer

[Mellow]

Looks like I have coolant coming out of the waterpump housing inspection hole which, according to the manual, indicates it needs to be replaced.

Man, I love this bike but in just 25,000 miles it's had more issues than the Valk and Wing together at a combined 75,000 miles.

I know they are small issues; rear wheel bearings, thermostat, coolant leaks and now waterpump....

If this were happening to a new car I wouldn't be all that happy. Well, it's time to take it to the dealer and have them tear into it. I hope they fix everything and I don't have to return like I've heard others have.

[Lola]

Good luck, mine is leaking again from the water pump area again. This is the third time going back to the dealer. I am going to try a different dealer this time.
While my bike is at the dealer, I'm having the recall notice looked at, Coolant leak identified and fixed, change tires, mine is the one with the cracks in the front tire.

[ssls6]

Good luck, mine is leaking again from the water pump area again. This is the third time going back to the dealer. I am going to try a different dealer this time.
While my bike is at the dealer, I'm having the recall notice looked at, Coolant leak identified and fixed, change tires, mine is the one with the cracks in the front tire.

My bike showed what appeared to be a leak from the waterpump inspection hole. The real leak was in the thermostat housing (an o-ring) but looked like it was coming from the inspection hole. Just an FYI.

[Mellow]

My bike showed what appeared to be a leak from the waterpump inspection hole. The real leak was in the thermostat housing (an o-ring) but looked like it was coming from the inspection hole. Just an FYI.
Yeah, I've heard of that happening before... It really looked like it was only coming from the hole as I couldn't see any residue from above the hole. However, I know I also have a leak up high near the thermostat housing so with my luck it's leaking from both places and will probably require two trips... arrrgh.

[tccox]

You know, mines been trouble free but then again only 2600 miles on it. I left the BMW world after 11 years because I'd been so happy with the Honda Cars in my family. And the high routine maintance costs of the BMW, but,,,,, in 11 years on BMWs I had ZERO problems not counting 1 recall. So now it appears I've traded for a bike thats much more troublesome than any BMW I've ever heard of or owned. Its still a blast to ride but I sorta feel like I've made a big mistake. Well, we'll see

[Mellow]

Well, it's not like we're having real engine problems. My valk went 44k without a single problem, when all around me were people having bearing and drive spline issues. My Wing was great in 50k miles except for a turn signal switch but that was it. Other around me were having heat and now some frame issues. I have a friend with a BMW that has been trouble free however he knows of some GSs that have issues as well.

I think as bike become more and more sophisticated there will be problems. This is the new generation ST and just like the new gen Wing, there are some growing pains. I think the 1500 wing had some issues and I'll almost bet the first couple years of ST1100s had some issues as well.

I don't mind taking it into the dealer if I know the fix is a fix. I don't want to keep taking it in for the same thing and I'm sure sooner or later someone on some board will come up with the 'real' fix.

I think there was someone that posted on the MSN board that the true fix to the gasket issue was to use some silicone sealant along with the gasket and the dealers don't have that in their 'instructions' so they don't do it.

If it keeps leaking after I take it in, I'll probably tear it apart and do the waterpump/thermostat gaskets with some sealant. If that doesn't work, I'm not sure what I'll do...

I like this bike alot, I'll do what I must to keep it.

[Mike]

Hey Joe, Samo Samo here as well. I am saving it all up for the Mechanic, maybe Honda will have a real fix by then.

There is only one other scoot I would have and I already have it in the garage, so I can ride the bird while the ST is being repaired.

I have had thoughts of trading the 03 in for a new 05 but until I hear that all the little issues are fixed I can't justify doing that, besides I finally have the ST set up the way I want it.

Now if this weather would clear out so I can get some ride time in.

[Mellow]

Yeah, all the issues are relatively small. The only other bike I'd had is the GL1800 and I'll probably have one again in the next couple years once the SO is able to ride again.

Until then, I'll ride the tar out of the ST....

[georgeorge]

Someone on the MSN board had the coolant leak problem and his mechanic found that (either the therm. housing or water pump housing....I'm not sure which it was) was not machined flat. He set it down on a known true flat surface and using a flashlight could see that the surface of the housing was not flat, so he took it to a machine shop and had it machined flat and it solved his problem.

I'm not going to say that you have the same problem.....I'm no mechanic. But it's something you might want to mention to the mechanic at the dealer.

Brian

[Mellow]

I have a hard time thinking any dealer mech. around here is going to do that... but, I'll mention it anyway.. thanks..

[georgeorge]

tell em to replace it if it's not flat!

[Mellow]

Oh I will, even if the leak is a small one, there's no excuse for it. Heck, if it was oil leaking we'd have to change the name of the bike to a FLHA-ST... yeow!

[Mellow]

I just may do that.. they seem to be the best game in town...

[Mike]

My Honda dealer checked the water pump cover the first time around suspecting that it was not flat, it was flat so he replaced the o-rig seal and buttoned it up.

Looks like I got maybe 10K on the repair before the leak showed up again.

Gonna have him check into the head gaskets as well, they are wet with oil.

I like to think Honda builds a tight engine.

I think once theses irritations are out of the way the ST1300 will be every bit as good as the 1100 in reliability. It's already better in handling, power and comfort.

[Putt]

Good luck, mine is leaking again from the water pump area again. This is the third time going back to the dealer. I am going to try a different dealer this time.
While my bike is at the dealer, I'm having the recall notice looked at, Coolant leak identified and fixed, change tires, mine is the one with the cracks in the front tire.

Third time for the same problem?? I hate to ask this, but does
NC have a lemon law????


Putt...

[tccox]

http://autopedia.com/html/LemonLaw/NC_lemonlaw2.html

[dannyk]

It might take some lemon law suits to get some attention to the problem/fix from H. I remember when the first Rubicon's (ATV) came out with the new transmission, the first one we sold had problems, (use to work at a dealership) man it was in a crate headed back (engine & trans) and a replacement one on the shop floor pronto. I can't believe that the word isn't getting back to H and the problem isnt fixed already.

[ssls6]

Sometime during the last two days (1500+ miles) my bike started leaking coolant again. Plano Honda fixed it the first time.

[lddave]

I think once theses irritations are out of the way the ST1300 will be every bit as good as the 1100 in reliability. It's already better in handling, power and comfort.

1300 better in handling, ok
1300 better in power , ok
1300 better in comfort, maybe. Seems comfort level is an opinion based on what one person preceives as tolerable .
There are people who find a rigid tail harley comfortable butt I would not.
So two of of three is not bad.

[Dave Wicks]

As a new owner reading some of this is a little disconcerting. I'm wondering, is this (coolant leaks and wheelbearings and electrical wiring glitch) showing up in 03's or in 04's as well? I like riding too much to be fiddling with stuff when the sun's shinning. Personally I think Honda's biggest problem is the dealership network. Anything mechanical can have problems, it's how that's responded too. Dealerships are Harley's greatest strength. What's the difference? Harely guys usually are enthuisiasts, they ride, been in lot's of Honda shops where the key personal don't or no longer ride. Honda quality is certainly there, but new models are not always field ready. I think this web-site is critical to ST owners, we need to communicate and perhaps talk to Honda enmasse to have the leverage needed to sort this stuff out. Mellow I really appreciate your candor on this, please keep us informed so we can respond together if need be.

[crazykz]

I'll say that I have an '04 and just had the O-Ring in the water pump replaced. I guess I won't really know if it's fixed 100% until spring because I just emptied the top tank and then tore all the bodywork off and stored it for winter. I can say that I was not happy with the dealer's work though. One, they put in dino oil without asking. I run synthetic. Two, they forgot to attach a hose to the air box which was plain as day to hear when you started the bike. Third, they did not fill the coolant back to the proper level when they put it back together. Forth, they torqued one bolt so tight I literally had to cut if off the bike to remove it.

I had to ask them to change the oil and I had to have 3 mechanics listen to the bike before one of them heard what I was hearing that turned out to be a diconnected airbox hose. I know everyone is dissapointed with service at some point or another but the thing that worries me the most is they cannot be trusted to do a complete job. They complain that Honda doesn't pay them enough to do the warrenty work. Well either complain to Honda or stop servicing their product. I don't care, I just want the bike fixed and fixed right.

If anyone puts together a letter to Honda I wouldn't mind signing my name to it also. Maybe we could put an online one together to collect all the information.

Curt

[Dave Wicks]

Interesting thread. I wonder if there should be a listing made up of dealers that have proven trust worthy and helpful. I don't think we can post "bad" dealers, could be some liablity issues. But we can tell our experiences both positive and negative. I get a sick feeling inside that the jap companies are going to lose out completely simply because of so many poor dealerships. I see some hopeful signs in some, Medicine Hat Motosports Medicine Hat Alberta Canada has gone from very poor to incredibly good. Action Honda Moose Jaw Saskatchewan Canada, strange little place, but they are bike nuts and will do you right. I prefer the power and handling of the ST 1300, but in our short riding season I will not ride what doesn't stay running. I've had a Norton in the past, no about maintance, but now I just want to put on farkles and ride ride ride.. Come on Honda step up!!