Radiator Drip

Tortuga · 08-20-2019, 09:10 PM

'06 Nomad 1600- There is what appears to be a rubber plug on the bottom right of the radiator. It occasionally drops a couple drips. Or, it drips a couple drops...your choice. It is part number 92075 according to Kawi parts diagram and is called a Damper. What does it dampen and should it drip once in a while? It's only recently that I've noted occasional spot(s) on the floor. Should it be replaced and if so, how is that done?

Thanks.

BrokeAss · 08-20-2019, 09:25 PM

That's not a plug, it's a rubber bushing so the radiator doesn't mount to the frame metal-on-metal. Either you have a pinhole leak or a leaky hose and the drips/drops are accumulating there because it's the low point.

**ringadingh** · 08-21-2019, 08:29 AM

Brokeass is correct, i'd start by checking your hose clamps at the radiator to see if that stops the drip. If not you may have a leaking rad.

redjay · 08-21-2019, 11:23 AM

Have you checked the radiator drain plug to see if it is tight ?
My Nomad used to drip a little after the winter storage, at the drain plug and at the water pump. After the first ride the water pump drip would stop and snugging up the radiator drain plug would stop that leak.

DragonLady58 · 08-21-2019, 11:51 AM

What they said! Only, if you've never done it before and are mechanically inclined, this is the perfect time to do a install of some fresh hoses! Or at least a coolant change! Every few years my Radiator Fan starts to look a little crusty...., I pull the fan off, check it, then clean it up, paint it. Also, clean the coolant fins with a foaming air conditioner condenser cleaner that can also be used on small engines.
Touch up the paint on the radiator also...
A good clean bike is a well maintained bike and is also a happily owned bike. That nice look of the bike actually rubs off on the owner/rider with pride, and you'll maintain and work on your ride....

Tortuga · 08-21-2019, 01:45 PM

Hoses and drain plug are tight and dry. It appears to be leaking right at the damper. Does the damper protrude into the radiator or just mounted on the radiator.

**Rasta** · 08-21-2019, 03:45 PM

The base of the radiator where those grommets go has a crack. You will need to get the radiator repaired. Some have used JB weld but it's up to you. You will need to replace those grommets and you can get them at ACE hardware. The image has what you need.
What Happens is the grommets get worse out and the radiator starts to vibrate in that hole , eventually cracking. I gave done a write up on here about replacing these grommets before the radiator cracks and start to drip.

Tortuga · 08-21-2019, 06:28 PM

Is it just regular JB Weld, or something special. I may give repairing and new grommets a whirl. If it doesn't work I'm only out a few bucks and can still have it fixed by someone who actually knows what they're doing. It doesn't sound like the science of a rocket as my partner says. Plus, I can flush it at the same time. Famous last words: what could go wrong?

redjay · 08-21-2019, 07:05 PM

If I remember correctly there were some older Nomads that had radiator issues and they were replaced under warranty ?

Tortuga · 08-21-2019, 07:13 PM

Being 13 or 14 years old I don't think Kaw will give me a new radiator. Although, just to see the looks on their faces I might try. Then, I'll ask for the regional rep.

DragonLady58 · 08-21-2019, 08:23 PM

Yea, hairline crack, or cracked solder joint, either way, needs replacing....
do a ebay search, usually in the $35-$60 range for a good, used item. Have your old one repaired and keep it on the shelf....one of those parts I keep shelfed for quick replacement. Like starters, fuse blocks, driveshafts, angle drives, such....alot cheaper than new replacement, as these bikes get older, parts will become harder to find....
I hoard the saddlebag isolators that are on the bottom....I loose those damn things all the time, when I pull the radiator, I always (yea Rasta, I got 2 bags of those!) put new grommets in....
Those things are super cheap, plus the heat from the radiator makes them hard over time.... The Origionals stay softer longer....I guess its something in how they're made for MaKawa....but those work just as well and are plentiful & cheap....

Tortuga · 08-21-2019, 10:21 PM

Rasta, are you sure the grommets came from Ace? Went to 2 Ace stores and couldn't find them.

**Rasta** · 08-22-2019, 08:22 PM

Yes I got them at Ace hardware. I guess it might depend what vendor they use to get certain things for the particular store. As you can see in the pictures the grommets are made by The Hillman Group. You can get them on Amazon but in a pack of ten.

Tortuga · 08-22-2019, 08:54 PM

Thanks, but I found some online and ordered them. I read your write up and wanted to ask, why do crash bars have to come off?

**Rasta** · 08-23-2019, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tortuga

Thanks, but I found some online and ordered them. I read your write up and wanted to ask, why do crash bars have to come off?

I dont remember unless I look at the bike why it had to come off but if memory serves me right it might have been so you could get the bolt on top that holds the radiator onto the frame so you could lift the radiator out of the holes the grommets are in

08-20-2019, 09:10 PM	#1
Tortuga Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sahuarita, AZ Posts: 559	Radiator Drip '06 Nomad 1600- There is what appears to be a rubber plug on the bottom right of the radiator. It occasionally drops a couple drips. Or, it drips a couple drops...your choice. It is part number 92075 according to Kawi parts diagram and is called a Damper. What does it dampen and should it drip once in a while? It's only recently that I've noted occasional spot(s) on the floor. Should it be replaced and if so, how is that done? Thanks. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-20-2019, 09:25 PM	#2
BrokeAss Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Ohio Posts: 296	That's not a plug, it's a rubber bushing so the radiator doesn't mount to the frame metal-on-metal. Either you have a pinhole leak or a leaky hose and the drips/drops are accumulating there because it's the low point. __________________ '09 Nomad 1700 - Ivan's flash - Kuryakyn Alley Cat - V&H slip-ons - Triple hi/low beam H4 headlights - Desert Dawgs - Half the F&S Catalog
	0

08-21-2019, 08:29 AM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Brokeass is correct, i'd start by checking your hose clamps at the radiator to see if that stops the drip. If not you may have a leaking rad. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

08-21-2019, 11:51 AM	#5
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	What they said! Only, if you've never done it before and are mechanically inclined, this is the perfect time to do a install of some fresh hoses! Or at least a coolant change! Every few years my Radiator Fan starts to look a little crusty...., I pull the fan off, check it, then clean it up, paint it. Also, clean the coolant fins with a foaming air conditioner condenser cleaner that can also be used on small engines. Touch up the paint on the radiator also... A good clean bike is a well maintained bike and is also a happily owned bike. That nice look of the bike actually rubs off on the owner/rider with pride, and you'll maintain and work on your ride.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride! Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by DragonLady58; 08-21-2019 at 11:53 AM.
	0

08-21-2019, 08:23 PM	#11
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	Yea, hairline crack, or cracked solder joint, either way, needs replacing.... do a ebay search, usually in the $35-$60 range for a good, used item. Have your old one repaired and keep it on the shelf....one of those parts I keep shelfed for quick replacement. Like starters, fuse blocks, driveshafts, angle drives, such....alot cheaper than new replacement, as these bikes get older, parts will become harder to find.... I hoard the saddlebag isolators that are on the bottom....I loose those damn things all the time, when I pull the radiator, I always (yea Rasta, I got 2 bags of those!) put new grommets in.... Those things are super cheap, plus the heat from the radiator makes them hard over time.... The Origionals stay softer longer....I guess its something in how they're made for MaKawa....but those work just as well and are plentiful & cheap.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride! Last edited by DragonLady58; 08-21-2019 at 08:28 PM.
	0

08-21-2019, 11:23 AM	#4
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	Have you checked the radiator drain plug to see if it is tight ? My Nomad used to drip a little after the winter storage, at the drain plug and at the water pump. After the first ride the water pump drip would stop and snugging up the radiator drain plug would stop that leak.
	0

08-21-2019, 01:45 PM	#6
Tortuga Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sahuarita, AZ Posts: 559	Hoses and drain plug are tight and dry. It appears to be leaking right at the damper. Does the damper protrude into the radiator or just mounted on the radiator.
	0

08-21-2019, 06:28 PM	#8
Tortuga Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sahuarita, AZ Posts: 559	Is it just regular JB Weld, or something special. I may give repairing and new grommets a whirl. If it doesn't work I'm only out a few bucks and can still have it fixed by someone who actually knows what they're doing. It doesn't sound like the science of a rocket as my partner says. Plus, I can flush it at the same time. Famous last words: what could go wrong?
	0

08-21-2019, 07:05 PM	#9
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	If I remember correctly there were some older Nomads that had radiator issues and they were replaced under warranty ?
	0

08-21-2019, 07:13 PM	#10
Tortuga Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sahuarita, AZ Posts: 559	Being 13 or 14 years old I don't think Kaw will give me a new radiator. Although, just to see the looks on their faces I might try. Then, I'll ask for the regional rep.
	0

08-21-2019, 10:21 PM	#12
Tortuga Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sahuarita, AZ Posts: 559	Rasta, are you sure the grommets came from Ace? Went to 2 Ace stores and couldn't find them.
	0

08-22-2019, 08:54 PM	#14
Tortuga Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sahuarita, AZ Posts: 559	Thanks, but I found some online and ordered them. I read your write up and wanted to ask, why do crash bars have to come off?
	0