Smelling Antifreeze

kawahog · 10-13-2008, 09:45 AM

Hello Everyone,
I am new to this site and this is my very first post. I have a 2005 Nomad that I purchased about 6 months ago and don't know very much about the mechanical side of things. I am smelling antifreeze quite often and I am losing a little antifreeze. It is not enough to see it drip so I am lost. Any ideas of what to check first? Thanks for your help.

kawahog

blowndodge · 10-13-2008, 09:57 AM

These bikes come from the factor without the hoses tightened very well. You need to pull the tank and go through all the radiator hose clamps and tighted then, along with the radiation drain plug as well.

You will probably find dried coolant on all the junctions and hoses (I did). No more leaks.

This would be a good time to flush the system and put in fresh antifreeze.

chainsaw · 10-13-2008, 10:06 AM

Welcome to the site from the Great State of Texas

cactusjack · 10-13-2008, 10:40 AM

Welcome to the NOMAD NATION from the Grand Canyon State!

VulcanE · 10-13-2008, 10:54 AM

Kawahog, I have an '05 that I bought new and developed the same odor back in the beginning of this past spring. Do like Blowndodge suggested about checking all the clamps, don't over-tighten, but tighten them all, and like he said, it would be the opportune time to change the coolant,

BTW Welcome to the site from NW. Georgia.

redeye · 10-13-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

These bikes come from the factor without the hoses tightened very well. You need to pull the tank and go through all the radiator hose clamps and tighted then, along with the radiation drain plug as well.

You will probably find dried coolant on all the junctions and hoses (I did). No more leaks.

This would be a good time to flush the system and put in fresh antifreeze.

BD, For the benefit of the uninformed, How many hose clamps should I be looking for?

kawahog · 10-13-2008, 11:42 AM

Thanks for all the help and for all the welcomes. I am looking forward to getting to know you folks and learning a lot about my bike from this site. I would like to know how many clamps to look for and info on exactly how to flush the system.
Thanks again
kawahog

cactusjack · 10-13-2008, 11:55 AM

My 2007 developed an antifreeze smell at around 17,000 miles. I tightened the 2 or 3 hose clamps you can get to without removing the tank and I think that took care of mine.

kawahog · 10-13-2008, 12:34 PM

I checked the clamps at the tank itself and they are the factory clamps that you cannot tighten (no screws). I guess you would suggest changing those out. I did find that my drain plug was loose and I hope that will fix my problem. Can I use regular antifreeze or does it need to be from Kawasaki?
Thanks

blowndodge · 10-13-2008, 01:27 PM

I believe there are 7 clamps in all; not counting the hose to the overflow

bigdave · 10-13-2008, 04:54 PM

Welcome from Western North Carolina

BandC · 10-14-2008, 06:54 AM

Welcome from Northern Minnesota!!

**schoeney** · 10-14-2008, 10:22 AM

Welcome from the Great NW

cactusjack · 10-14-2008, 10:32 AM

Don't just use "regular" anti-freeze in a motorcycle system. The coolant used in motorcycle systems needs to be compatible with aluminum systems and needs to be silicate-free. Personally, I use Coolanol, which is a 50/50 premix designed for motorcycles. I buy it at Cycle Gear, but many shops carry it.

rksaw · 10-14-2008, 01:32 PM

Kawahog,
Welcome to the N'ad House. As you have already found out, this is a great place to get answers and to meet some new friends. Hope to see you on the road!
Rich

10-13-2008, 09:45 AM	#1
kawahog Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 43	Smelling Antifreeze Hello Everyone, I am new to this site and this is my very first post. I have a 2005 Nomad that I purchased about 6 months ago and don't know very much about the mechanical side of things. I am smelling antifreeze quite often and I am losing a little antifreeze. It is not enough to see it drip so I am lost. Any ideas of what to check first? Thanks for your help. kawahog Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-13-2008, 09:57 AM	#2
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Smelling Antifreeze These bikes come from the factor without the hoses tightened very well. You need to pull the tank and go through all the radiator hose clamps and tighted then, along with the radiation drain plug as well. You will probably find dried coolant on all the junctions and hoses (I did). No more leaks. This would be a good time to flush the system and put in fresh antifreeze. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

10-13-2008, 10:06 AM	#3
chainsaw Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,732	Smelling Antifreeze Welcome to the site from the Great State of Texas
	0

10-13-2008, 10:40 AM	#4
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Smelling Antifreeze Welcome to the NOMAD NATION from the Grand Canyon State! __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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10-13-2008, 10:54 AM	#5
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Smelling Antifreeze Kawahog, I have an '05 that I bought new and developed the same odor back in the beginning of this past spring. Do like Blowndodge suggested about checking all the clamps, don't over-tighten, but tighten them all, and like he said, it would be the opportune time to change the coolant, BTW Welcome to the site from NW. Georgia. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-13-2008, 11:42 AM	#7
kawahog Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 43	Smelling Antifreeze Thanks for all the help and for all the welcomes. I am looking forward to getting to know you folks and learning a lot about my bike from this site. I would like to know how many clamps to look for and info on exactly how to flush the system. Thanks again kawahog
	0

10-13-2008, 11:55 AM	#8
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Smelling Antifreeze My 2007 developed an antifreeze smell at around 17,000 miles. I tightened the 2 or 3 hose clamps you can get to without removing the tank and I think that took care of mine. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

10-13-2008, 12:34 PM	#9
kawahog Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 43	Smelling Antifreeze I checked the clamps at the tank itself and they are the factory clamps that you cannot tighten (no screws). I guess you would suggest changing those out. I did find that my drain plug was loose and I hope that will fix my problem. Can I use regular antifreeze or does it need to be from Kawasaki? Thanks
	0

10-13-2008, 01:27 PM	#10
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Smelling Antifreeze I believe there are 7 clamps in all; not counting the hose to the overflow __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

10-13-2008, 04:54 PM	#11
bigdave Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burnsville, NC Posts: 1,589	Smelling Antifreeze Welcome from Western North Carolina __________________ David "BigDave" Hall Burnsville NC VBA #477 2007 Red and Silver Nomad (traded 4/10/2014) 2013 Blue and Black Voyager
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10-14-2008, 06:54 AM	#12
BandC Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Iron Range, Northern Minnesota Posts: 2,288	Smelling Antifreeze Welcome from Northern Minnesota!! __________________ 2005 Blk/Silver Nomad (Sold) VBA #00671
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10-14-2008, 10:22 AM	#13
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Smelling Antifreeze Welcome from the Great NW __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
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10-14-2008, 10:32 AM	#14
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Smelling Antifreeze Don't just use "regular" anti-freeze in a motorcycle system. The coolant used in motorcycle systems needs to be compatible with aluminum systems and needs to be silicate-free. Personally, I use Coolanol, which is a 50/50 premix designed for motorcycles. I buy it at Cycle Gear, but many shops carry it. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

10-14-2008, 01:32 PM	#15
rksaw Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Damascus, OR Posts: 1,430	Smelling Antifreeze Kawahog, Welcome to the N'ad House. As you have already found out, this is a great place to get answers and to meet some new friends. Hope to see you on the road! Rich
	0

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