Air cooled V-Rod ? - Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum

Nathang · 08-21-2009, 10:02 PM

I'm thinking I might have an air cooled V-Rod soon, if I don't figure out where I'm loosing coolant fluid.

( I'll bet a lot more V-Rod people looked quicker to see what kind of hooey would be here about an air cooled V-Rod than would in response to a request for maintenance advice..

)

I am a pretty experienced car wrench, as much as any guy who can't afford to take old cars to a shop, and have long ago wrenched on my Harleys.

BUT.. I'm kind of having a mental block about looking for leaking hoses and clamps on a motorcycle.

I also find that there is a tear in an oil vent hose between the rear cylinder and the intake.

So my LowRider has a lot more miles on it than the V-Rod, and has needed no maintenance at all, the V-Rod needs both coolant and oil hose maintenance or replacement. Swell.

So do any V-Rod owners have any info on the probability of a leak at the T intersection between the riser from the pump to the heads?

.

**Dave63** · 08-21-2009, 10:20 PM

I have a device that goes into a radiator, and senses/detects carbon monoxide. The fluid is originally blue. If CO is present, the fluid changes green then yellow.....

It's a test for a violation between the compression/cylinder into the water jacket. The violation will be due to a headgasket or a physical crack allowing the transfer.

Of course....it's not as complicated as tightening 2 muffler clamps, but hey.....it works.

Nathang · 08-21-2009, 10:22 PM

I know there is a leak, I have coolant snotty residue on hoses and to a lesser extent, all points downwind.

XDixiecratX · 08-21-2009, 10:34 PM

Just think the EPA is forcein Harley to have all motorcycles water cooled by 2013, at least I read it somewhere.

Blackdog 15 · 08-21-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XDixiecratX

Just think the EPA is forcein Harley to have all motorcycles water cooled by 2013, at least I read it somewhere.

That Sucks !!!

**EZE RIDER** · 08-22-2009, 01:03 AM

I have found that every connection has wept coolant at some point. I think it's the hose shrinking rather than the worm clamps loosening. On the bike it only seems to leak when it's running and will evaporate with very little smell unless it one of the two connections up front. Leaving only that residue you spoke of. To freshen mine up a bit I drained out as much as I could and replaced it with fresh stuff. I tightened all the clamps and I'm good to go.

SCHMIDTYS · 08-22-2009, 02:16 PM

Clean it all off real good , put dye into the the coolant fill tube under the seat and run your V-Rod for awhile then scan it with the black light and yellow shades . If it's leaking and where it's leaking from will show up .

gtrman66 · 08-22-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XDixiecratX

Just think the EPA is forcein Harley to have all motorcycles water cooled by 2013, at least I read it somewhere.

At some point that is probably true (especially with this administration) but I have been hearing that every year since 1983.

As for the leaks, the only one I had was the water hose between the cylinders. Tightened the clamps a little and it went away. Good luck finding yours.

If I could only have one bike, it would be the air cooled, carberated, 14 year old geezer glide. The V is fun, but not as comfy or as likeable. The GG has personality.

Motive · 08-24-2009, 08:20 AM

Didn't you recently change your plugs? I got a bit heavy handed when I changed mine and had to buy a new breather hose.

Check around your reservoir, maybe moving it to get to the plugs, loosened something up.

I thought I had a coolant leak at first (had to pull mine a few times for stuff I forgot), but it ended up just bieng from when I moved the reservoir.

wndchsr2 · 08-24-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XDixiecratX

Just think the EPA is forcein Harley to have all motorcycles water cooled by 2013, at least I read it somewhere.

Well I have been hearing that statement for years but if it ever does come to pass I guess I will have bought my last one and will just keep riding what I have or maybe buy one more before that actually happens. If I want water on a Harley, I will ride in the rain as I refuse to have a Harley that is watercooled. Aint trying to offend the V-Rod guys but that is just not my thing as I will stick with the traditional air cooled engine.