Water Leak on Falco

Message

Falcomille · #1 Post by **Falcomille** » Wed May 30, 2007 6:37 pm

Hi Guys - my first posting so don't slag me off for getting it wrong...
I have an 02 Falco, which I've had for 4 months after 8 years of Jap. Lovely bike but it does have one annoying feature.. an inconsistent coolant leak. It dribbles from between the cylinders.. sometimes.. I figure it may be venting off from out of the filler cap, but I haven't had the tank up yet to have a good look.
Anyone had any experience with anything like this?
Look forward to hearing from you before my first track day at Donnington Park in a couple of weeks..

Gio · #2 Post by **Gio** » Wed May 30, 2007 7:24 pm

Could it be a leaking gasket?

I'd not ride it until I'd found out what it was, water leaking into a cylinder isn't nice.

Oh and welcome to RS, now get into the bar and buy us all a drink

Viking · #3 Post by **Viking** » Wed May 30, 2007 11:29 pm

Hi FalcoMille,

Sounds like the same problem I have. Or had. It seems to have stopped for the moment.

See here for the thread I started. Although I see that no-one really had a solution as to why the girl was leaking.

Falcoholic · #4 Post by **Falcoholic** » Thu May 31, 2007 8:57 am

Welcome new bloke

Once you've got the ale in then someone will be round with words of advice.

Good luck in locating yer leak.

Falcomille · #5 Post by **Falcomille** » Thu May 31, 2007 2:52 pm

Is there a virtual bar aroung here somewhere? As I do own a bar, you are quite welcome to a beer here if you are passing J9 M60. Just let me know.
The really weird thing I notice about the coolant leak is some days it does, some days it doesn't. Sometimes (like Tuesday when I rode 2 miles to the local hospital) it was all over the swingarm as well as the engine. Bet when I get out next week, it doesn't leak, Fact is it's frustrating! But I guessed that part of the "ownership experience" of an Italian bike was going to be leaks, niggles and electrical problems.
Anyhow, thanks for the replies.

Where do I buy the beer........

Gio · #6 Post by **Gio** » Thu May 31, 2007 2:55 pm

Falcomille wrote:Is there a virtual bar aroung here somewhere? As I do own a bar, you are quite welcome to a beer here if you are passing J9 M60. Just let me know.
The really weird thing I notice about the coolant leak is some days it does, some days it doesn't. Sometimes (like Tuesday when I rode 2 miles to the local hospital) it was all over the swingarm as well as the engine. Bet when I get out next week, it doesn't leak, Fact is it's frustrating! But I guessed that part of the "ownership experience" of an Italian bike was going to be leaks, niggles and electrical problems.
Anyhow, thanks for the replies.

Where do I buy the beer........

Here you go https://www.ridersite.com/viewforum.php?f=1

Samray · #7 Post by **Samray** » Thu May 31, 2007 3:06 pm

I'm surpised Gypsy Rose Gio didn't predict a rideout to J9 M60

exupmonkey · #8 Post by **exupmonkey** » Thu May 31, 2007 3:18 pm

The really weird thing I notice about the coolant leak is some days it does, some days it doesn't. Sometimes (like Tuesday when I rode 2 miles to the local hospital) it was all over the swingarm as well as the engine. Bet when I get out next week, it doesn't leak, Fact is it's frustrating! But I guessed that part of the "ownership experience" of an Italian bike was going to be leaks, niggles and electrical problems

Welcome to the club....pint of lager and vodka chaser please. In answer to your post, the remedy is clear for all to see...dont ride it on a Tuesday

The falco is not known for niggles and dribbles, it is well screwed together...but maybe you got one of those friday afternoon ones

But seriously, someone on here will wake up and supply you with the (right)answer

Falcopops · #9 Post by **Falcopops** » Thu May 31, 2007 3:30 pm

Falco Rider that owns a bar, Nirvana!

I can't quite see why you reckon it might be venting from the filler cap.

What side of the bike is it on? Is it the bight green/yellow coolant stuff or something else?

Just thinking that it might be some other fluid from another run off pipe that isn't routed properly.

Donnington eh! Top man I'd love to try that track, apparently dropping downthe hill is like falling off the end of the world. God knows what the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca must be like.

the duke · #10 Post by **the duke** » Thu May 31, 2007 4:06 pm

Only real way of telling is to get the tank up and take the airbox off altogether then run the engine on the stand untill something in there leaks. There are several waterpipes that run between the cylinders or very close to it so the only way to be sure is to encurage it to leak. I would leave it to get good and hot to as the water pressure builds up as the engine get hotter and more likely to leak.

Also how much water are you having to top up by. If it's really chugging through it a pipe could have come off but i would doubt it unless someone else (previous owner) has been pulling and tugging around in there and dislodged something.

Only other thought is are you sure it's coolant. If you still have plenty in the expansion tank it could just be water trapped in nooks and crannies of the engine and frame from rain/washing and spilling out when you ride the bike/ tip it over.

Only advice i can think of. Hope you get it sorted, but don't confuse unreliable Ducatis with Aprilias just cos they're Italian.

Ben[/img]

Falcomille · #11 Post by **Falcomille** » Thu May 31, 2007 4:07 pm

Falcopops.. the dribble is bright blue with a salty finish (as Gordon Ramsay might say), and it's on the RH side of the bike. It is just below the water filler cap which makes me wonder if the water is venting out of that cap (the one on the pipe not on the plastic tank). The temperature at my favourite thrash (over the Cat & Fiddle naturally) is about 75 deg C and their is no sign of any emulsion in the oil which makes me confident it ain't a head gasket or seal.
I have done a track day at Oulton before and I love that track. I did it on my old CBR 1000F, which made me feel like Butler steering the old Routemaster bus round the track in comparison to the Falco. I'm looking forward to Donington though, as it's only 1 week before the MotoGP (which I have to miss due to work commitments), but the wife has offered to take me to San Marino in September as compensation.
By the way, I aim to move to Italy in about 6 months, so the beer at Trafford will have to hurry up..
now to look at that link...

By the way, what temp do the fans normally cut in?

Gio · #12 Post by **Gio** » Thu May 31, 2007 5:29 pm

The fan on mine cuts in at 95c

#13 Post by **Kwackerz** » Thu May 31, 2007 5:31 pm

Then it picks the bike up and flips it over. Bloody powerful fan on Gio's...

Gio · #14 Post by **Gio** » Thu May 31, 2007 5:54 pm

Kwackerz wrote:Then it picks the bike up and flips it over. Bloody powerful fan on Gio's...

Mmmmm, wrong direction

the fans are verical-ish not hovercraft styleee

Falcomille · #15 Post by **Falcomille** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:47 pm

Ahh found it - broken T piece