Antifreeze leak

[hairman]

I have had an antifreeze leak on my 1999 RSV for some time now. I have narrowed it down to a certain area that it is coming from. I need help on what to do. It is coming from the bottom of the side cover of the head. I am wondering if I take the side cover off is there a gasket or not? If it is not possible to be the side cover then do you think it would be the head gasket or the water jacket joint? I am going to attach some pictures? Any advice is greatly appreciated. I don't know a whole lot about motorcycles. Thanks hairman

[Eck]

If I'm thinking clearly, the rear jug fins are held on by 3 allen head bolts. One of those bolts also plugs a water port in the block (your leak).

You can remove all three bolts, remove the cover and see which bolt plugs the water port. Only a spoon full of antifreeze will be lost..

 

Clean everything up good, use blue loc tight on thread portion of allen head bolts, and reinsert the allen head bolts ..Tighten as required...you should be fine.

 

[hairman]

I tried to tighten the 3 bolts up but they would only turn less than a quarter of a turn. I wiped it dry and I will check it tomorrow because it doesn't leak a whole lot. I really hope that you are right! Thanks for the advice.

[Scooter Bob]

I think I pulled a side cover to get at the clutch bleed screw once. I don't recall leaking any coolant. I do believe there are rubber plugs under the cover the could be the source of you're leak. If I remember right, the manual says not to run without the covers because the covers hold the plugs in, sort of.

 

Good Luck, Scooter Bob

[hairman]

Thanks I will sure try this tomorrow or Sunday.

[midnightventure]

There is definitely a rubber plug under there that is held in place by the finned side plate. If you decide to pull it out you use a spark plug and thread it into the metal insert in the rubber plug. Then the antifreeze will pour out. You have to take the gas tank off to fill it back up. The plastic tank under the seat is just an overflow.

[BigShell]

Try getting a little more pressure on the rubber plug using a small shim on the inside of the finned cover.

 

Here are a couple of threads that explain the problem and fixes.

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18100&highlight=rubber+plug

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16522&highlight=rubber+plug

[hairman]

I went to the local Yamaha shop to get the (freeze plugs) rubber boots. They wanted around 15.00 a piece for them. A drain plug (plastic) for the radiator 9.50. I didn't get either one of them. I put loc thread on the rubber boots and put them back in. I went to Napa and got a "real" metal drain plug bolt for 2.50. So far no leaks. Thanks for the help. hairman:thumbsup2: