[calbigbird]

About three weeks ago, I found a drop of antifreeze on the garage floor under my 08 Wing. Put it on the lift and started looking around. I found evidence of coolant drooling down the back of the engine. Since it is still under warranty, I took it to the dealer. They tore into it and found a hose leak under the fuel tank. Got it back after a few days and went on my merry way. I noticed the smell of hot antifreeze after sitting at a red light in traffic to be a regular occurrance. Talked to the dealer about it and they said bring it back. They also told me the hose clamps on our bikes are poor and I can probably expect more leaks.

Has anyone, or everyone, else experienced multiple coolant leaks?

 

[Chopin]

I just renewed my warranty. I'm covered until 2016. $499 for some probable issues is cheap.

 

[Ron Robertson]

Seems to me if they knew the clamps were poor they would have replaced them or at least checked to see if you wanted to invest in the new clamps.
On the 1500's they had tape around the radiator and water pump hose fitting. This dried and cracked after time cause some to weep coolant. A pain the butt. On mine I tore it down and removed the tape, no more leaks for now anyway.

 

[budoka]

I've not heard of this clamp issue. But I have heard various mechanics say that many types of hose clamps are prone to looseness over time. Why they mentioned the clamp thing without asking if you wanted them replaced sounds fair lame to me.

 

[calbigbird]

They did change the clamps on the hose they replaced. I guess with several other hoses, they did not want to take apart what they did not know was leaking. I asked them to replace all the clamps when they fixed it this time. We'll see what happens. I am still unsure if this is a common problem with the 1800's. I know it is an issue with the ST1300's but I haven't heard anyone complain about the Wings.

 

[knelson1969]

When I worked on cars for a living I would recommend changing the coolant hoses and fluid along with the t-stat and rad cap at 4 years or 40K. Now they have long life antifreeze I am not sure how long these things should last but if you squeeze your hoses and they feel hard and perhaps brittle change them out. a leaking hose clamp is normally a sign of the hose reaching the end of it useful life. Sure if you put on a new clamp and tighten the crap out of it you may stop the leak but the clamp then over time cuts into the hose and will lead to major leak or complete failure of the hose while riding. personally I do not want to get sprayed down with hot coolant.

 

[budoka]

It's news to me as I said, but I've only had my 1800 3 years. I've got a dozen or so local customers, and no problems with them so far in the 6 years I've been in the dealership. Didn't have but 10k on my ST but I have one client in town that has close to 100 k (KM) on his with no leaks so. I'll be listening and asking at GWRRA gigs though.