All I have an 2006 ST1300 with approximately 45,000 miles. I am the third owner and bought it last July. I replaced all the fluids when I purchased to include removing the radiator and flushing it out. Last weekend before going out for an overnight trip to P-Cola I noticed some coolant stains on the right hand side of the engine. The coolant reservoir was near the max line and not noticeably different from the level when I replaced the coolant in July. I pulled the right side cowl off this morning and cleaned up the side of the engine. The reservoir level was approximately the same as the prior weekend. I started up the bike on the center stand to see where the coolant was coming from. When the bike got up to temperature (three bars) I noticed about three drops of coolant that originated from the circular weep hole. I wiped the engine down again and approximately ten minutes later noticed a burp of brown colored coolant from the circular weep hole (see photo). I let the engine idle for another five minutes; no additional leakage noted. During this same time frame there was no fluid leakage from the square drainage port. The bike was on the center stand for the whole time; the fans kicked on three times; I revved the engine three times; ambient temperature here about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The leakage from the circular hole was not constant or steady.
I've read through the majority of the coolant leak threads here and am wondering if 1) removing just the water pump cover to replace the seal and cleaning out the square hole channel will fix anything (read worth it) or if 2) I'll need to remove the whole crank case cover to replace the water pump mechanical and oil seal?
I've read through the majority of the coolant leak threads here and am wondering if 1) removing just the water pump cover to replace the seal and cleaning out the square hole channel will fix anything (read worth it) or if 2) I'll need to remove the whole crank case cover to replace the water pump mechanical and oil seal?