I've got this nagging problem ever since I purchased my 2004 ST3 used in 2006, i.e, leaking radiator fluid or the smell of radiator fluid.
When I first purchased the bike, radiator fluid would leak out where the main hose to the water pump is connected to the radiator if the bike temperature was cold and the outside temp was below 55f. It would stop once the bike warmed up. After tightening down the hose, the issue went away for a while (mostly, ever once in a while it would still leak).
So finally, I swapped out all of the hoses with a set of fancy silicon hoses. Installed them and have not seen a drop leak since. However I have noticed that after running hot the bike will smell sweet, and after running it long distances the reservoir slowly goes down (over a thousand miles and lost about 1/3 of the fluid).
Clearly something is either leaking outright or evaporating slowly.
When I pulled the skin, all of the hoses had a gritty film on them, as if they were sweating? I ran the bike for 20 minutes twice, just to see if anything was outright leaking--no obvious leaks anywhere?
So now I'm thinking that the radiator has some pin prick holes in it that causes the fluid to vaporize around the engine parts? Am I crazy or has anyone else every seen such a situation?
I've had this bike going on 4 years--it would be my favorite bike but this issue--it is driving me to distraction since I can never take it out without being anxious........
Thoughts?
When I first purchased the bike, radiator fluid would leak out where the main hose to the water pump is connected to the radiator if the bike temperature was cold and the outside temp was below 55f. It would stop once the bike warmed up. After tightening down the hose, the issue went away for a while (mostly, ever once in a while it would still leak).
So finally, I swapped out all of the hoses with a set of fancy silicon hoses. Installed them and have not seen a drop leak since. However I have noticed that after running hot the bike will smell sweet, and after running it long distances the reservoir slowly goes down (over a thousand miles and lost about 1/3 of the fluid).
Clearly something is either leaking outright or evaporating slowly.
When I pulled the skin, all of the hoses had a gritty film on them, as if they were sweating? I ran the bike for 20 minutes twice, just to see if anything was outright leaking--no obvious leaks anywhere?
So now I'm thinking that the radiator has some pin prick holes in it that causes the fluid to vaporize around the engine parts? Am I crazy or has anyone else every seen such a situation?
I've had this bike going on 4 years--it would be my favorite bike but this issue--it is driving me to distraction since I can never take it out without being anxious........
Thoughts?