Coolant leak

[RichKat]

Give it some thought,,,, "string" sounds light,,, and you want some reliable pulling power. When I fished a replacement clutch hydraulic line through,,, I used some 14 gauge wire,,, carefully taped at the joint, to avoid snags. You will likely get through okay,, but plan for the worst,,, cheers,,, CAt'

Actually I'm going to use string trimmer line (.080 on a roll) tough stuff

 

[Igofar]

Actually I'm going to use string trimmer line (.080 on a roll) tough stuff

Not as tough as my kevlar spear gun line 800 lb test +
Good luck with the replacement, let us know how it turns out.
Its not like you want to ride in this heat at the moment anyway.

 

[RichKat]

Not as tough as my kevlar spear gun line 800 lb test +
Good luck with the replacement, let us know how it turns out.
Its not like you want to ride in this heat at the moment anyway.

True

 

[RichKat]

Got the hose this morning, took a couple hours, but new is on. Feed some .080 string trimmer line through the old one and out to the rear disk, tied it off there, pulled old out from front, not an easy job. Pulled the airbox, radiator, and frame to engine mount plate (at top front) to have room. Tied off line in front (to keep it tight) and slid new in along trimmer line. This is the HARDEST to service bike I've ever owned, I love it, but damn

 

[Catmandu2]

Any observations on the old coolant line, just removed ?? CAt'

 

[Obo]

Any observations on the old coolant line, just removed ?? CAt'

The green-yellow coolant had solidified into a .080 string?

 

[RichKat]

Any observations on the old coolant line, just removed ?? CAt'

Can't see it from that pic, but its split at the rear end of it, and very hard

 

[Sadlsor]

Congratulations!
I haven't had to do anything to hoses yet, but give us some time... and miles.
But you're quite right, this IS the most helpful bike forum, and you don't have to wade through the drama and bullshirt condescension of some others I visit.
Glad to see you got it sorted.
And thanks to those who were able to help @RichKat ...while I watched and learned too.

 

[RichKat]

Congratulations!
I haven't had to do anything to hoses yet, but give us some time... and miles.
But you're quite right, this IS the most helpful bike forum, and you don't have to wade through the drama and bullshirt condescension of some others I visit.
Glad to see you got it sorted.
And thanks to those who were able to help @RichKat ...while I watched and learned too.

Thanks my friend

 

[970mike]

I have replaced all coolant hoses and O-rings to the elbows with the age of these bikes. It maybe time to replace all of yours if that hose was that hard and cracked. That is the hardest hose to change.

 

[Kevcules]

Got the hose this morning, took a couple hours, but new is on. This is the HARDEST to service bike I've ever owned, I love it, but damn

Couldn't agree more! Glad you got the hose changed. Good job!

 

[RichKat]

Couldn't agree more! Glad you got the hose changed. Good job!

Thanks

 

[Larry Fine]

This is the HARDEST to service bike I've ever owned, I love it, but damn

You're beginning to understand women now.

 

[RichKat]

It maybe time to replace all of yours if that hose was that hard and cracked.

This coming winter, I plan to bite the bullet and pull my throttle bodies and replace all my hoses, O rings, thermostat.

 

[docw1]

I was just thinking ( a sometimes dangerous pastime) and it's strictly my opinion, and I don't have any commercial interest in the product, but it seems to me that using a product such as Evan's Waterless Coolant, which doesn't pressurize the system, would slow down the degradation of the coolant hoses and system. I've used the product in two bikes for over 200,000 miles combined. On my 1100 I replaced the o-rings(they needed it) and the tubing (just because), but so far, on the 1300 with over 170,000 miles, the only thing I've done is snug up a hose clamp a little.

 

[RichKat]

I was just thinking ( a sometimes dangerous pastime) and it's strictly my opinion, and I don't have any commercial interest in the product, but it seems to me that using a product such as Evan's Waterless Coolant, which doesn't pressurize the system, would slow down the degradation of the coolant hoses and system. I've used the product in two bikes for over 200,000 miles combined. On my 1100 I replaced the o-rings(they needed it) and the tubing (just because), but so far, on the 1300 with over 170,000 miles, the only thing I've done is snug up a hose clamp a little.

I've heard good things about Evan's, don't have any personal experience with it, but after I change out all my hoses, I might give it a try

 

[Catmandu2]

Can't see it from that pic, but its split at the rear end of it, and very hard

So just trying to discern where the split is,,,, is the rear end down at the oil cooler ?? Maybe take a picture,, prior to tossing the old hose ? 2011 is not as old as my 2004,,, and in terms of approximate hours on the bikes,,, I now have about 143k miles on the clock. Thanks for the reporting,,, cheers, CAt'

 

[RichKat]

So just trying to discern where the split is,,,, is the rear end down at the oil cooler ?? Maybe take a picture,, prior to tossing the old hose ? 2011 is not as old as my 2004,,, and in terms of approximate hours on the bikes,,, I now have about 143k miles on the clock. Thanks for the reporting,,, cheers, CAt'

I have about 45000 miles on mine, already tossed the pipe, the split was right at the oil cooler fitting, running length wise to the hose. I tried trimming a ½ inch or so but slit went farther, so replaced it

 

[RichKat]

Update.....3 weeks today, coolant level hasn't changed at all, occasional faint coolant smell is gone, I was having to add about a cup of coolant a month (really month and a half) but looks like that took care of it. With the heat we're having in Texas right now, that's a load off me
Thanks for the support guys

 

[RichKat]

Been over 2 months since I replaced the hose, glad to report absolutely no coolant losses, checked today and level is perfect
But....I do on occasion here "gurgling? " sounds after it's parked, is this common? or do I still have air trapped in the system
I've had zero cooling issues (even in the heat of Texas)