Triumphrat

meinschaft · 08-15-2007

Getting ready to ride last weekend after nearly a 2 week break. Roll the bike off the center stand and put it on the side stand. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch sight of something. Kneel next to the bike and spot 1 drop of lime green coolant hanging beneath the water pump.

The first thing I did was to look underneath where the bike was parked - nothing is dripped on the garage floor. Grab the wrenches and find everything is tight. I loosened all bolts and retightened them to be on the safe side.

Started the bike and let it idle until fully warm. Re-checked, and find nothing leaking. Go out to ride, stopping every 10 miles, or so, to check for leaking. Nothing.

Got home after about an 80 mile ride and there is nothing leaking. Any ideas? My coolant level is fine, and judging by the color, the coolant is good, too.

triumphrider99 · 08-15-2007

Well if my comprehension skills are back? Coolant seems to leak easier when it is cool. When the engine is warm thing expand. Thus sealing minor leaks.
Where it is coming from ......looks like you will just have to keep an eye on it.

coppi0_3 · 08-15-2007

Are you sure it is coolant? If it were oil most surely it comes from the airbox.
This is very common on classic triples.

meinschaft · 08-15-2007

Yep, it was coolant.

BadMouth · 08-15-2007

The $1 plastic 90 degree elbow on top of the resevoir is a common offender.
Or maybe you just dripped a little when you checked or filled it and the droplet didn't shake loose from the bike until you moved it.

I'd do what the local HD dealer always tells his warranty customers to do - "Wait until it gets worse, then we'll worry about it" (see me buying a bike there anytime soon?)

TonyD · 08-15-2007

I noticed just the same thing, a drop of coolant beneath the water pump, a couple of years ago after I had left the bike on its side stand for several weeks while I was away from home. Like you, I checked that everything was properly torqued and couldn't see a reason for it. Never happened again, although I have always since stored the bike upright when not in use for any length of time, and I had forgotten about it until I read your post.

zs-cafe · 08-15-2007

It might be a sign of a repair to come. But then again I'm a half empty type of guy. My Tbird did the same thing every now and then for over a year. After many months of this it would drip two or three drops over night. The leak turned out to be the water pump seal was going bad. Either Triumph Detroit or Lifecycles of Kalamazoo should have the O-rings (Water pump and water pipe) in stock for a bout $10-20. The job is rather simple and takes about 1-2 hours to do your self with out reference materials.

jimmyj900 · 08-15-2007

There's a 'weep hole' on the back of the water pump to vent pressurized coolant should the shaft seal start leaking (that keeps pressurized coolant out of the crankcase) so I'd be willing to bet that's what's going on.

I don't believe Triumph has a repair kit for this, but the seal should be available somewhere -- probably from an industrial supply.

BTW, what are you using for coolant?

Jim

meinschaft · 08-16-2007

Jim,

I'm not sure what coolant was used, my dealer did the change. I do know it is green.

funderbird · 08-16-2007

Had the same problem of a coolant leak on mine a few weeks ago.With mine it was caused by a loose hose clamp on top of the water pump.It was hard to see such a small leak but I managed to see a couple of drops by getting a small torch up close to the hose.
Good luck with it.

funderbird