Triumphrat

vrus · 11-19-2012, 05:36 PM

earlier this summer, all my coolant burped out from the reservoir which I found ... odd. Reading the forums, it seems this is 'normal'.

When I went to replace the coolant, i found this. It smelled horrible by the way.

I performed a flush; the rad bled green and no signs of sludge anywhere else, but the rad cap had a bit. I replaced the coolant but it burped out again. Speed never overheats btw.

Is this a sign of a blown head gasket or something else? Should I not worry about it ?

ilovheros · 11-19-2012, 06:43 PM

http://www.triumphrat.net/speed-trip...t-oveflow.html You are just fine. Did a coolant flush this weekend myself. It's just clay.

Speedy Russ · 11-19-2012, 08:10 PM

Yup, it's happened to a lot of us. No worries. Here is another thread about it.

vrus · 11-20-2012, 08:55 AM

thanks guys.

Night Train · 11-20-2012, 12:51 PM

Yeah. Mine has always been there. Five years later, all good.

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Ebster1085 · 11-21-2012, 08:12 AM

I cant see how this situation is ok. I know the speedy is prone to spitting a little coolant out of the overflow line and maybe gettin a little rust/sediment collecting in the bottom of the tank, but that should really be the only activity going on in the reservoir.

I have been wrenching on cars and bikes for a long time and whenever I have come across brown gunk in the reservoir it has always been a sign of an issue. Either the coolant in there is boiling off (likely) or you have contaniment in the system. The only other time I see cruddy looking coolant is in a head gasket leak scenario when oil mixes with coolant.

My speedy has close to 20k miles on it and other than a little sediment/rust collecting at the bottom of the reservoir, the coolant in there still looks good.

Martin_R · 11-21-2012, 08:36 AM

The porridge in that pic does not look right. Rust particles in coolant is normal for 1050, but that kind of sludge I have never seen on an OK condition bike.

I would also add non-compatible coolants to Ebsters list of possible causes.

Ebster1085 · 11-21-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin_R

I would also add non-compatible coolants to Ebsters list of possible causes.

Good point. Non compatible coolant, or mixing coolants, can also cause issues. I have even seen coolant turn to gel when two different types that didnt quite mix were added together in the system.

ilovheros · 11-21-2012, 09:18 AM

I just had to buy a new radiator for my son's van because the last owner used incompatible coolant in it. Clogged the whole system up and you are right,it did look like that. I had to have the block flushed also. Maybe this is not clay....I just used Honda coolant in mine which I am sure is ok (right?) but what is considered incompatible in a Triumph cooling system?

Ebster1085 · 11-21-2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovheros

I just had to buy a new radiator for my son's van because the last owner used incompatible coolant in it. Clogged the whole system up and you are right,it did look like that. I had to have the block flushed also. Maybe this is not clay....I just used Honda coolant in mine which I am sure is ok (right?) but what is considered incompatible in a Triumph cooling system?

I would imagine you are correct. With sludge like this in the reservoir, at the very least the entire system needs a flush, and there is a good chance the radiator may need replacing as well.

Never heard of "clay" as something that belongs in or near the coolant system....

Did you use Honda motorcycle specific coolant? As far as imcompatible brands, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think anything that wont work with an aluminum block is no good. I have always use either motorcyce specific coolant or Engine Ice with my bikes.