'85 VF1000R unknown hole?

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by droopydawg, Nov 21, 2013.

  1. droopydawg

    droopydawg New Member

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    Bought this bike as a fixer-upper. Mostly complete. Noticed a strange hole and noticed it was wet with coolant on the inside.
    Shouldnt there be something here? What am I missing? Thank you
    Drew in Lake Forest, Illinnoying
     

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  2. VFR Love

    VFR Love New Member

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    Maybe a coolant temp sensor was added?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  3. droopydawg

    droopydawg New Member

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    Not too sure. Bike has a OE temperature gauge. And looking in the owners manual, page 51, that same hole is there, but it may have a cap on it (it is a faded pdf of the OM) . Curious, as this hole has somewhat rough edges and had fluid inside. Maybe some sort of breather hole for expanded hot gases to escape?
     
  4. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Pretty sure that is just a drain hole for any water that collects in the V of the motor. Sounds like you have a coolant leak on the water pipes that are right above on the heads.
     
  5. droopydawg

    droopydawg New Member

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    That makes sense. I guess I should start up the bike and see it if makes a mess of the garage. Thx.
     
  6. JamieDaugherty

    JamieDaugherty New Member

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    That is supposed to be there. It is just a feature in the casting and not functional at all. Pay no attention to it.
     
  7. droopydawg

    droopydawg New Member

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    I am starting to think that it is more than just a feature in the casting. Why does coolant dribble out of it? The bike has been stationary, and only dribbles when the bike is positioned upright when pushing around the garage or when turning the engine over by hand. There is a chrome pipe fitted on the top, that spans from left to right, and a matching hole like this one on the left side of bike too. Is there something, inside, with a worn seal? (I am just now getting started on this project)
    Thanks Jamie.

    -Drew
     
  8. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    I repeat:

    I just shined a LED light thru mine and I can see light in the V of the motor under the chrome coolant tube that connect the both sides. Sounds like the o-rings on that tube are bad.
     
  9. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    Not before you check and top up oil and coolant first !
    :eagerness:
     
  10. VF1000Fe

    VF1000Fe New Member

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    That hole is sposed to be there. It lets water caught in the V to drain out.
    If the "wet" is coolant, then you have to replace the O-Rings on the Chrome Input Pipes and the O-Rings on the Output Pipes.
    The O-RIngs are cheap from a Supply Shop. The O-Ring dimensions are on the Honda/Partzilla exploded parts diagrams.
    I just replaced mine last summer. There may be Calcium/Aluminum Silicates buildup there for you to clean anyway.
     
  11. droopydawg

    droopydawg New Member

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    Yep, the "wet" is coolant. Ill look into those seals. New oil and filter done.
    Thx
    -Drew
     
  12. 86VF1000R

    86VF1000R New Member

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    did you ever get to those seals? I have a leak coming from the pump housing, hoping that's it.
     
  13. thx1138

    thx1138 New Member

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    All seals for the 1000R are still available as far as I can see.
    I had no problem getting seals for my 3.
     
  14. droopydawg

    droopydawg New Member

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    So, its been awhile. This project is slow going because lack of funds, and an unheated garage in the winters.
    Ok, so you guys say this hole is supposed to be there. Took awhile, but I figured out where the coolant is leaking from. Right behind this (picture) I can feel a tiny hole (maybe a weep hole?) where the coolant is coming out.
    Probably only loosing a pint of liquid, allowing it to drip onto one of those large aluminum drip pans, then it eventually stops.
    Is this hole supposed to be there? Is it there to help bleed the system? I cant find a picture of it in parts diagrams.
    I will have to get a dentists mirror to fit back there to actually see it. At this point, I can just feel it.

    I did replace those seals that were previously discussed, though it looks like they might not have been the culprit.
     

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  15. VF1000Fe

    VF1000Fe New Member

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    O-Rings, Oh My,,..

    The Fluid may just be Puddling there.
    The leak might be from the Cylinder Head Fluid Output Tubes.
    Each Head has the Rad Fluid come out near the top, the tubes then route to the Thermostat.
    Each output tube has a O-Ring on it (4 total).
    They are cheap.
    You may discover those Output Tubes are quite Corroded.
    I Sand Blasted mine and repainted.
     
  16. JamieDaugherty

    JamieDaugherty New Member

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    That hole is supposed to be there - it just drains the area in the middle of the V. I would guess your leak is coming from the seals on the chrome pipes, probably the one in the middle under the carbs.

    Let us know what you find out!
     
  17. droopydawg

    droopydawg New Member

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    The tiny hole is behind the item in the picture. not referring to the hole that is seen in the picture. I have looked all over the engine to possible draining or drips of coolant elsewhere. I dont see the coolant coming from anywhere, where it would drip or leak down. I have verified that is it not leaking at the seal of those tubes. I inspected, cleaned, and replaced the seals on them. where those seals have been replaced, it is dry. No sign of it leaking at that point. I can definitely feel something behind there.
    I see a trip to DentistsRUs, for a tiny little mirror.

    Funny thing is that the bike is on its sidestand, leaning over to the left, as bikes do. The coolant puddles behind the item in the picture (on the right side of bike), and comes out of the hole on the uphill right side of the bike, instead of dripping off the left side.
    Thx
     
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