NEED Opinions - 2000 Coolant leak water in oil, coolant on ground during cold weather

I need help. The temp got down to -4 C for 5 weeks. I cranked the bike twice in the last 4 months just to keep the bat charged. 3 weeks ago I noticed coolant puddle under the bike. About a cup. I pulled the fairings and the tank was at the low point but the coolant in radiator was fine. After I cranked it up again I noticed fresh coolant on the right side but have no idea where it came from since I cant find a leak and it had stopped leaking b4 I got around to that side of the bike. I refilled all and rode the bike for a few hours (twice). Today I noticed that there is a milky film in my oil window. The oil is not brown but just the top 1mm or less. I still smell antifreeze (faintly), the radiator is full, the holding tank is still full and I find no leaks. I've never had the bike in weather this cold for this amount of time and have never found coolant under ANY vehicle without a leak!!!
Condensation in the oil or a leak? Blown head gasket or has anyone experienced this problem? Will cold weather make something leak?

 

Not sounding good, Joe. My first guess is the head gasket. Hope someone one here has some more calming wisdom on this.

 

If your lucky it could be a two fold situation. The leak on the ground could be one or more of your hose clamps need tightening. The hoses will contract enough in cold weather to let a little coolant to drip. Once started and getting warm they will seal. The milky look in the window could be normal crank case condensation.

I would change the oil and keep an eye on it. You could also do a pressure check on the cooling system. If it loses pressure and no external leaks. Then it may be a head gasket. My thinking is a very slim chance of that though.

 

Changed the oil and still noticed a little condensation in the widow. Ridden it for 2 weeks and the flim in the window is gone, coolant is still right where it was 2 weeks ago... I'm gonna pretend that nothing was ever wrong with it. That whole "coolant on the ground" thing will continue to be an unsolved mystery.

 

What gen bike you gots?

I have a 6th gen and i had a similar issue. It was a loose hose clamp by the thermostat. They are on the right and you just need a long shaft (hehehehe) screw driver.

 

+1 gotta check them damn hose clamps all the time. The "milky" film thing seems to just be a VFR trait. Upon closer inspection of mine the other day it actually appears to be very small bubbles in the oil but does not appear to be fluid as it is seaparate and only on the top of the oil level. Also I only notice it when the engine and oil is cold. Seems the oil system dosen't like cold oil too much and creates some air bubbles.

 

What do you mean about "crank the bike"? Leave it run awhile.? I don't do that to any of my machines. It gets the motor warm or hot even. Then as it cools down you will get condensation inside specially in cold temps. That's where milky looking oil comes from. The motor doesn't get hot enough for long enough to heat the moisture out. Get a battery charger or one of those battery tenders. Then you can leave the battery in the bike.

 

Mine is a 2005 that when I moved it this winter, it puked up some coolant, then I cranked it a couple of weeks ago--and agian it dropped a small puddle of coolant underneath--it appears to be under the right side, so am hoping it is simply a loose hose or clamp--but I have not removed the fairing side before and am not particularly experienced at maintenance (although am working on it!)--how difficult is the side cover to remove? Thanks to all for suggestions-sorry if the question is lame to those of you that are experienced--but ya gotta start somewhere and I thank you for your sage wisdom!

 

I have no mechanical ability, but even I can remove the fairings and change oil. You'll definitely want to "learn" to do this because damn near any time that any thing were to go wrong, you'll need to remove one side or the other.

I too have always found loose clamps, some leading to coolant leaks.

 

You did not tell us the mileage on the bike.

Very important if you are thinking about head gaskets.
BTW I think it WAS a loose hose clamp and cold weather.

IF you were concerned about a blown head gasket there is 4 things that have to be present.
1. when you drain the engine oil, coolant comes out first. Best indication.
2. Engine running hot.
3. oil in the radiator.
4. Oil level keeps getting too high in the engine.
5. High mileage. 50,000 plus minimum.

Need at least 3 out of 5, with coolant coming out of the engine first when draining the engine oil.

 

Life has been so busy I haven't had the chance to get into it, (been riding the Suzuki), so am going to take off the right side of the fairing today and hope for the best--not thinking it's a blown anything (4K miles on it--better NOT be)--so am betting with the cold winter there's a hose off.....thanks for the info and will keep you posted!

 

Allthough these are all good indicators that you may have a blown head gasket, I would not call them things that have to be present. Coolant may be running only into the cylinders and burning off, this would also not cause coolant on the ground but lots of white smoke coming from the exhaust. Oil dosen't allways transfer over into the coolant, if the compromise in the gasket surface is only between the coolant passage and the cylinder or the crankcase. Mileage makes absolutely no difference in diagnosing a blown head gasket. Any number of things could cause a head or a head gasket to fail, mileage is not a determining factor. If you get a brand new vehicle with aluminum heads and a coolant leak and overheat the dog snot outta it, chances are good you're gonna pop a gasket long before 50K rolls around. Not trying to bash you Don, you are a very knowledgeable member here, I just don't think these are all mandatory for a blown head gasket IMO.

 

I agree that not all of those indicators MUST be present.
But it is rare to see a blown head gasket on a vehicle with only 10,000 miles. The OP said only 4,000 miles!! Virtually a new engine.
I always look for at least 3 of those indicators, and speaking of coolant being "burned"
off, that is true but if you remove the spark plugs and there is a leaking head gasket
the plugs will look steam cleaned including the top of the piston.

I always look for multiple indicators before ripping an engine apart.
Coolant coming out of the oil pan when changing the oil is a pretty solid indicator.

 

Actually whenever there is something in the combustion chamber that isn't supposed to be there it usually leaves buildup on the plug between the electrodes. It probably will knock most of the carbon off but replace it with whiteish browinsh crusty crud. That's only if it's run out of stuff to burn though, I've had ones leak so bad that they would fill the combustion chamber and hydrolock the engine. Never had one bend a rod or anything before finding out that it was hydrolocked though, I suppose it could happen but I've never actually seen it, tried to crank over quite a few that were locked up till I pulled the wet plugs out and blew out all the coolant.

 

Well well I had no idea the interesting discussion that might ensue.......indeed, keeping it friendly, all-I do appreciate advice-but here is where I ended up-removed right side fairing, saw no leak, no loose anything, and when I started it up, nothing came out. So-I have a nice phantom situation that I am going to assume was related to the cold weather and has repaired itself now that things are back to nicer temps. I guess I will take it in to the dealership for an oil change, and have them check and see if there are any radiator or hose issues.
thanks all for the advice.

 

I should mention to keep in mind, when we say "loose" hose clamps it's not as if they would spin on the hose if you pushed on them. They were still on there pretty good just not putting enough pressure on the rubber to seal the hose all the way.