I have a leak. Need some help.

[Oldodge]

2013 RSV 8500 miles. Last couple days I have been getting a smell of antifreeze on occasion. Today I parked in the driveway and several hours later had a puddle under the bike. It is coming from a spot behind the fins on the left side on the rear cylinder. When I removed the cover it turned into a gusher. I shoved a rag in the hole and found what had popped out. Question is, why is it there and what do I do to fix it? Should there have been something screwed into it? Pictures show rag stuffed in the hole. The insert that popped out. The raised spot on the inside of the fin cover that sits against the insert. Thanks in advance.

[MiCarl]

It's simply a plug in the cooling jacket. The threads are for removing it (a spark plug top fits them).

 

A 2013 is under warranty. Let the dealer worry about it.

[StarFan]

2013 RSV 8500 miles. Last couple days I have been getting a smell of antifreeze on occasion. Today I parked in the driveway and several hours later had a puddle under the bike. It is coming from a spot behind the fins on the left side on the rear cylinder. When I removed the cover it turned into a gusher. I shoved a rag in the hole and found what had popped out. Question is, why is it there and what do I do to fix it? Should there have been something screwed into it? Pictures show rag stuffed in the hole. The insert that popped out. The raised spot on the inside of the fin cover that sits against the insert. Thanks in advance.

 

Oldogde !

 

This is a common thing to happen. No need to worry. The plug has simply popped out. What I would do to begin with is pushing them back in, put a small piece of thick double tape on the end of the plugs and reinstall the fins and tighten them good. Just make sure to neutralise the finside of the double tape so the fins wont drag the plug out if you remove the fins for cleaning or other purposes.

Is it possible that the fins were not tighten good ? They actually push the plugs and keep them in place.

If you do the double tape thing then have the dealer get you some new plugs and check the ones that you have installed for defects. Some people just put a dime on the plugs before bolting the fins on and it works as well. I used the double tape trick with a 1998 tour Classic I had and never seen a drop after doing that.

[Oldodge]

Thanks MiCarl, It is under warranty but the nearest dealer I would trust to work on it is about 90 miles away. If I can fix it myself, I want to.

[Oldodge]

Thanks StarFan, I was hoping that was all it was. I was thinking of using a couple thicknesses of innertube rubber on the inside of the fin. Maybe I will use double sided tape stuck to the fin cover with innertube on the engine side. Back to the garage..........

[Oldodge]

Cleaned off the inside of the finned cover. Installed some double sided foam tape with a layer of innertube over it. Put it all back together, ran it until good and warm. No leak. I did email my dealer and will see how the response is. Thanks for the help StarFan and MiCarl. What a great site. :cool10:

[djh3]

Glad you got it fixed up. Yu dont happen to have a son named Bob in NC do ya?

[Neil86]

As you found out, its a good plan for the engine to be totally cool before removing the fins, as any coolant system pressure will blow out the plug once cover is lifted away

from the plug.

[Oldodge]

Nope, no son in NC. Engine was cool when I pulled the cover. Could see the fluid seeping and went to touch the plug and it popped out. Not a great design in my opinion. Should have been a threaded plug.