Loosing Radiator Fluid

[Warren78102]

My 2003 Yamaha 250f loosing fluid out of the radiator, I have had the radiator flushed. The only place I can see if some fluid comes out of the big hose coming out of top of the head.

 

[Matt90GT]

If fluid is coming out the vent hose in the valve cover, means you have a cracked head.

Clean the bike, run it and inspect for leaks. If no fluid is leaking externally that you can see, you have a blown head gasket or cracked cylinder/head/case

 

[Warren78102]

what are the chances is a head gasket

 

[oldguy]

what are the chances is a head gasket

From what I can see from here 50/50

 

[XRpredator]

you got good eyes there, oldguy

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

Take the cap off and start it, bubbles in the radiator stream? Some how compression is getting into there? Gasket or cracked head are very good. Vintage Bob

 

[youngnbald]

http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/sh...t=turkey+baster

You can't see the fluid leaking? Just knowing the fluid level goes down? Install an overflow tank before assuming the worse. Fluid will be fine and cheap fix before attacking the engine. Just my thought.

 

[YZ__rider]

Make sure you are tracing the correct hose...are you sure it isnt coming from the radiator overflow?

Is it actually leaking from the head? If so, get ready to pony up some cash and/or alot of your time depending on the culprit.

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

If its pushing it out the overflow, consistently, all the over flow bottles in China will not help it. Its not a trail bike, it will push out excess, after a top off, but thats about it, never again. Vintage Bob

 

[ellandoh]

do rickshaws have coolant??

 

[RM_guy]

My head hurts.

 

[jsantapau]

who is Rick Shaw anyway?

 

[Warren78102]

The coolant is comming from the hose on the top of the head. I have tighten the head bolts. It will go a 5 lap moto and loose some fluid but not get real hot. There is no water in the oil.

 

[YZ__rider]

Top of the head...do you mean the valve/head cover breather hose? Either way...its time to pay the piper.

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

So the hose is leaking from the radiator to the head? And, you tightened the head. Vintage Bob

 

[Warren78102]

The breather hose that comes off the very top of the head, maybe it the valve cover, that hose runs down by the shifter.

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

My sons worn 450 would build a small residual amount up, it appeared like milk, maybe a few drops. A steady amount after warmed up, back to the gasket or cracked head. A leak down test or coolant system pressure test should show the issue? Or, it sounds like it has been doing it for a while, a tear down should show where its been leaking at? You do have a bike with a pretty strong valve train, BUT, bet the rings are gone anyway. Time for a top end and bottom end inspection and measure everything. I have seen pics of a rickshaw before, never one with coolant, but the operator may require coolant, frequently? Vintage Bob

 

[YZ__rider]

Regardless whether it is a bad gasket or cracked head, you will need to pull it apart to find out. When you are in there, you may as well rebuild the entire top end if you plan on keeping the bike.