Coolant Odor Detected

vulcans2 · 02-11-2011, 01:05 AM

Lately I've been noticing a slight odor of engine coolant when I shut down my '10 Nomad. I've checked out the engine area and don't see any evidence of leakage, and there's nothing leaking out on the garage floor. Anyone experience this or should this be a matter for my dealer to address under warranty? Oh, and the bike has been doing a lot of sitting around this winter as I've been recovering from some hand surgery as well as getting my butt kicked thoroughly by the flu or some kind of virus. Man, I hate getting sick. Anyway, could a seal or gasket have dried out from non-use and just needs to be rejuvenated, or what? So far I haven't read anything of a similar nature with the 1700 engines.

**billmac** · 02-11-2011, 06:48 AM

My 1600 had a coolant smell with no noticeable leaking on bike or floor. The bike only had a couple of thousand miles. At a KawaNow Know Session, the gas tank was raised and we could see signs of coolant leaking at the end of hose. Apparently it burn off before hitting the ground.

Anyway we found the hose clamp to be extremely loose and tightened it up. Then we went all over the bike checking other hoses and found them loose as well. Since then, no more smell.

vulcans2 · 02-11-2011, 09:18 AM

Sounds like a good starting point. Thanks.

**Cajunrider** · 02-11-2011, 06:33 PM

Greg, as Billmac already stated, you probably have several loose hose clamps, if the 2010's are like the earlier models. I had 3 loose clamps on mine and the small hose leading from the fill cap to the over flow jug was seeping from the pinch clamp. The hose was pretty loose so I cut a small piece off of the end and used the same clamp. No more smelling of coolant. Next time I lift the tank I will replace those little pinch clamps with convential hose clamps with the screw to tighten.

gv550 · 02-11-2011, 07:03 PM

I did have a small coolant leak on my 1700, it was coming from a hose at the thermostat housing. Just tighten all the clamps and you'll likely eliminate the odor.

Garry

vulcans2 · 02-11-2011, 07:33 PM

OK, thanx. Now I have a good base to go on. Looks like I've got a little project ahead of me.

**ringadingh** · 02-12-2011, 09:19 AM

Loose hose clamps are common, You may have to lift the tank to getat them all. Also check the radiator drain, thats another source of a coolant leak.

rickyboy · 02-12-2011, 12:06 PM

And I thought it was my imagination, because I couldn't see any leaks/drips/residue. I can smell engine coolant every once in a while. Usually when I just hit the first traffic light of a ride. Then it seems to go away. I'll lift my seat and see what my clamps are like. Thanks

02-11-2011, 01:05 AM	#1
vulcans2 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Meridian, ID Posts: 206	Coolant Odor Detected Lately I've been noticing a slight odor of engine coolant when I shut down my '10 Nomad. I've checked out the engine area and don't see any evidence of leakage, and there's nothing leaking out on the garage floor. Anyone experience this or should this be a matter for my dealer to address under warranty? Oh, and the bike has been doing a lot of sitting around this winter as I've been recovering from some hand surgery as well as getting my butt kicked thoroughly by the flu or some kind of virus. Man, I hate getting sick. Anyway, could a seal or gasket have dried out from non-use and just needs to be rejuvenated, or what? So far I haven't read anything of a similar nature with the 1700 engines. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-11-2011, 06:48 AM	#2
billmac Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,472	Coolant Odor Detected My 1600 had a coolant smell with no noticeable leaking on bike or floor. The bike only had a couple of thousand miles. At a KawaNow Know Session, the gas tank was raised and we could see signs of coolant leaking at the end of hose. Apparently it burn off before hitting the ground. Anyway we found the hose clamp to be extremely loose and tightened it up. Then we went all over the bike checking other hoses and found them loose as well. Since then, no more smell.
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02-11-2011, 09:18 AM	#3
vulcans2 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Meridian, ID Posts: 206	Coolant Odor Detected Sounds like a good starting point. Thanks.
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02-11-2011, 06:33 PM	#4
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Coolant Odor Detected Greg, as Billmac already stated, you probably have several loose hose clamps, if the 2010's are like the earlier models. I had 3 loose clamps on mine and the small hose leading from the fill cap to the over flow jug was seeping from the pinch clamp. The hose was pretty loose so I cut a small piece off of the end and used the same clamp. No more smelling of coolant. Next time I lift the tank I will replace those little pinch clamps with convential hose clamps with the screw to tighten. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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02-11-2011, 07:03 PM	#5
gv550 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Listowel, Ontario Posts: 642	Coolant Odor Detected I did have a small coolant leak on my 1700, it was coming from a hose at the thermostat housing. Just tighten all the clamps and you'll likely eliminate the odor. Garry __________________ Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-11-2011, 07:33 PM	#6
vulcans2 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Meridian, ID Posts: 206	Coolant Odor Detected OK, thanx. Now I have a good base to go on. Looks like I've got a little project ahead of me.
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02-12-2011, 09:19 AM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Coolant Odor Detected Loose hose clamps are common, You may have to lift the tank to getat them all. Also check the radiator drain, thats another source of a coolant leak. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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02-12-2011, 12:06 PM	#8
rickyboy Top Contributor Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 108 Mile Ranch B.C. Canada Posts: 5,472	Coolant Odor Detected And I thought it was my imagination, because I couldn't see any leaks/drips/residue. I can smell engine coolant every once in a while. Usually when I just hit the first traffic light of a ride. Then it seems to go away. I'll lift my seat and see what my clamps are like. Thanks __________________ Nomad'a What ! "rickyboy" Richard Cole Canada West Region 108 Mile Ranch, British Columbia Canada Vulcan Bagger Assoc. #00722 Black 2006 Nomad https://cdn2.iconfinder.com/data/ico...Book_32x32.png
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