coolant problem

moran182
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moran182
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 3:06pm
Long time lurker, first time poster got a question here. Just replaced all water pump seals and I am now having a problem with coolant puking out the overflow. I replaced the head gasket recently along with the piston and new intakes. I ride a 07 crf450. I also tried a new radiator cap as well as using engine ice. I don't get it. Any suggestions that are helpful will definately make me STFU. Thanks
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lumpy790
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lumpy790 4/21/2009 5:31am
4/21/2009 5:31am
How long are you letting the bike sit still running before this happens?
moran182
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moran182 4/21/2009 6:47am
4/21/2009 6:47am
It's not overflowing when it is sitting. I understand that if you let a fourstroke idle for too long they'll get hot. It is losing about a cup's worth of fluid after about ten minutes at normal track pace.
Highsider
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Highsider 4/21/2009 7:08am
4/21/2009 7:08am
A clutch not adjusted properly and slipping slightly will cause over heating.
CamP
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CamP 4/22/2009 6:24am
4/22/2009 6:24am
Overfilling can cause this. Fill the coolant to about 10mm below filler neck. If you are still puking coolant, your new head gasket is probably blown.

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lumpy790
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lumpy790 4/22/2009 7:01am
4/22/2009 7:01am
What you are describing is not normal.

if you have any friends that are auto mechanics there is a special tool (sort of like a turkey baster but not) that has a blue liquid in it that draws the air threw it from just above the radiator opening. If carbon monoxide is present the liquid turns to yellow and the head gasket is blown. You may want to take a quick look at the water pump impeller to make sure its not damaged or clogged.
xnationalwrench 4/22/2009 9:56am
4/22/2009 9:56am
You also might make sure there is no air pockets in the cooling system, they can cause overheating. Also you might want to check the radiator cap to make sure its ok.
moran182
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moran182 4/22/2009 9:24pm
4/22/2009 9:24pm
Thanks everybody for chiming in, Over the last couple days I've tried my best to bleed out any air in the system. When I replaced the water pump seals, the impeller, shaft, and bearing all seemed to be in good condition. I'll be going for a track ride tomorrow, if the condition persits, it's gotta be a bad head gasket. By the way, could the head gasket have gone bad with no evidence(coolant leaking from the head or coolant in the oil) If it persists this time I'll be taking it to a pro. I need to get it fixed and have time to get ready for hangtown am days. thanks again, Also I did replace the radiator cap and still had this problem
72kiteboarder
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72kiteboarder 4/23/2009 5:14am
4/23/2009 5:14am
Also be sure to check the Oil, If it is milky, that is bad. That means that coolant is leaking in.
Remlap
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Remlap 4/23/2009 7:06am
4/23/2009 7:06am
Start the bike up cold and remove the radiator cap and look at the fluid it should be really rushing around if not check for blockage or pump problems.
wrecks
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wrecks 4/23/2009 2:59pm
4/23/2009 2:59pm
Are you sure the water is coming from the overflow? I had a tiny leak in my radiator on a kx250f that did not leak until the bike was warm, but then you could barely tell it was leaking.

If it's still leaking, and the new head gasket is the problem, it could possibly be a warped head. Good luck!
Craze
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Craze 4/23/2009 4:12pm
4/23/2009 4:12pm Edited Date/Time 4/23/2009 4:13pm
moran182 wrote:
Long time lurker, first time poster got a question here. Just replaced all water pump seals and I am now having a problem with coolant puking...
Long time lurker, first time poster got a question here. Just replaced all water pump seals and I am now having a problem with coolant puking out the overflow. I replaced the head gasket recently along with the piston and new intakes. I ride a 07 crf450. I also tried a new radiator cap as well as using engine ice. I don't get it. Any suggestions that are helpful will definately make me STFU. Thanks
Take a look inside the radiator, inspect the slits, Hondas for some strange reason will develop little white deposits in the slits which impede the coolant flow, causing overheating type symptoms. If that is the case, you need to have the radiators flushed and cleaned
digger
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digger 4/23/2009 4:19pm
4/23/2009 4:19pm
moran182 wrote:
It's not overflowing when it is sitting. I understand that if you let a fourstroke idle for too long they'll get hot. It is losing about...
It's not overflowing when it is sitting. I understand that if you let a fourstroke idle for too long they'll get hot. It is losing about a cup's worth of fluid after about ten minutes at normal track pace.
If you are loosing that much antifreeze in that short of time, into the combustion chamber. The exhaust would smell slightly sweet , and it maybe slightly white. This will happen with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.
olddude
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olddude 4/23/2009 10:05pm
4/23/2009 10:05pm
CamP wrote:
Overfilling can cause this. Fill the coolant to about 10mm below filler neck. If you are still puking coolant, your new head gasket is probably blown.
Over filling happens often, you need room for expansion.

Do you lose anymore after that?

A leak down test would confirm/eliminate head gasket.
moran182
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moran182 4/23/2009 10:20pm
4/23/2009 10:20pm
Just got back from the track. Still spilling coolant. out of the overflow only. there is none in the oil. I filled it to just above the fins. Also, I took the time to rock it back and forth to bleed any air out. I didn't notice anything in the exhaust(white, and or sweet smell). The track I rode at was mostly third and fourth gear so I'm getting plenty of air to the radiators. Looks like I need to find somebody to perform a leakdown test. Again, there is only about five hours on the new top end, so I guess I'm looking at a new head gasket.
williamsmotowerx 4/23/2009 11:38pm
4/23/2009 11:38pm
Don't just put in a new head gasket.

Head itself is probably warped. Anytime I have a head in here for work I check them... 80% of the time they are warped a bit.... and I have to resurface them.
olddude
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olddude 4/23/2009 11:51pm
4/23/2009 11:51pm
Damn, I know we have to be missing something. Sometimes trying to diagnose a bike problem over the internet is like criticizing a LB column.

You did'nt go to a big bore did ya?
rallendude
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rallendude 4/24/2009 6:08am
4/24/2009 6:08am
Like said above, start the bike and pull the rad cap cold. If you see any foaming at all or large air bubles your head gasket is leaking. The only way for air to enter the cooling system is through the compression of the motor. Yes, the head gasket can be blown between the cylinder and the cooling ports and only cause compression to leak into the cooling system. This will leave no evidence of oil in water or water in oil.

I have had the same happen on a 2004 Honda. Make sure you clean the head and cylinder mating surfaces with scotchbrite and get them really clean. Like Jesse said, the head could be slightly warped but I've not had much trouble with that.

What did you torque the head bolts to? I've found it's very important to use a torque wrench and specific numbers when doing four-stroke rebuilds. Not so much on the two-strokes.
moran182
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moran182 4/24/2009 9:18am
4/24/2009 9:18am
Thanks again for the advice. I also started it cold without the rad cap and the coolant seemed to be circulating fine. I got a guy here in town who is good with motors and can resurface the head if needed. Like I said, Hangtown is just around the corner and I need to get some rides in, so the noodle arms can loosen up.
Remlap
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Remlap 4/24/2009 9:46pm
4/24/2009 9:46pm
Try bending the tabs on the radiator cap( the old one)so that it seats down more it may not be seating tight enough on the radiator. This fixed my sons YZ 125

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