13 Vaquero Water Pump Weep Hole Leak

_Brian_ · 06-20-2014, 11:13 AM

Less than 600 miles and looks like I have white residue around the water pump weep hole. Coolant level is good and looks like the leak is very minimal right now. Hopefully its just the mechanical seal and the dealer don't have to split the case. Not a good start..

ponch · 06-20-2014, 11:49 AM

Just clean it and keep an eye on it. I've never heard of this happening with a new Kawasaki. If the level is good and it doesn't leak after a few weeks of riding, it's probably nothing to worry about. If it leaks more, take it in.

_Brian_ · 06-20-2014, 12:21 PM

I'm due for the 600 mile service very soon so figured I would mention it to the dealer for documentation. My belt is also rubbing and starting to fray so I'll get them to replace it and install the new one a little looser and adjust to get it to track to the right of the pulley a little more.

ponch · 06-20-2014, 12:26 PM

By all means mention it. As far as the belt goes, that shouldn't happen either.

Silent Sam · 06-20-2014, 03:15 PM

Water Pump "weep"..seems like they might have added tap-water at some point..Hard water will leave a bit of "crusting'... dunno jus speculating

_Brian_ · 06-20-2014, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent Sam

Water Pump "weep"..seems like they might have added tap-water at some point..Hard water will leave a bit of "crusting'... dunno jus speculating

Thanks Sam, I watched the dealer prep the bike and they added nothing but stock coolant and the white crust smells like antifreeze.

Silent Sam · 06-21-2014, 02:49 AM

Well I'm stumped...many, and maybe -all, mfg'er's these days add a cooling system 'sealer" at the factory on cars and trucks..so maybe its a seep-befor sealing, leaving a bit of factory added sealer at the weep hole.. ?? Good Luck

H8BUGZ · 06-21-2014, 12:32 PM

I wiped the white crust off my new Voyager 5-6 times. It finally stopped seeping at about 3K miles. Reserve tank never really went down. If the dealer fixes it, you might as well put in Engine Ice coolant as the tank will be off anyway. Anything to help with the rider felt heat issue.

_Brian_ · 06-21-2014, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H8BUGZ

I wiped the white crust off my new Voyager 5-6 times. It finally stopped seeping at about 3K miles. Reserve tank never really went down. If the dealer fixes it, you might as well put in Engine Ice coolant as the tank will be off anyway. Anything to help with the rider felt heat issue.

Thanks for the info. I wonder if the white crust plugged your weep hole and that's why its no longer leaking. I'm just worried about the coolant getting past the mechanical seal into the water pump bearing and eventually causing the pump to fail. Being an aircraft mechanic im always thinking worst case scenario in the long run.

Double J · 06-21-2014, 01:46 PM

I had the same thing after I bought my 1700 Vulcan Classic. Took it in to get looked at. Service guys called Kawasaki-they said to document it for warranty purposes, but it should seal up after a couple thousand miles. Never had a problem up to 12,000 miles (traded it in).

Silent Sam · 06-21-2014, 02:29 PM

..A & P's...RULE !

_Brian_ · 06-21-2014, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent Sam

..A & P's...RULE !

No Sam....DOYLE RULES!!!

Monkeyman · 06-21-2014, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Brian_

My belt is also rubbing and starting to fray so I'll get them to replace it and install the new one a little looser and adjust to get it to track to the right of the pulley a little more.

Loose or tight has nothing to do with the belt fraying. Out of adjustment does. A loose belt is just as bad as a tight belt and neither are good.

_Brian_ · 06-21-2014, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Loose or tight has nothing to do with the belt fraying. Out of adjustment does. A loose belt is just as bad as a tight belt and neither are good.

You are correct sir. That's why I'm telling the dealer to correct the adjustment so the belt rides away from the front pulley. The factory spec for the belt is too tight though....especially when you can hear it whining. Loosening it up just a little will make a big difference on the future wear of the sprocket and shaft.

Delna · 06-24-2014, 01:45 PM

I had the same issue with my 2013 Voyager last year. I took it in for the 600 mile service and was told my water pump had a minor leak and was replaced under warranty. I've been checking it on a regular basis over the last year and the replacement pump seems to be leak free.

06-20-2014, 11:13 AM	#1
_Brian_ Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 66	13 Vaquero Water Pump Weep Hole Leak Less than 600 miles and looks like I have white residue around the water pump weep hole. Coolant level is good and looks like the leak is very minimal right now. Hopefully its just the mechanical seal and the dealer don't have to split the case. Not a good start.. Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by _Brian_; 06-20-2014 at 11:16 AM.
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06-20-2014, 11:49 AM	#2
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,014	Just clean it and keep an eye on it. I've never heard of this happening with a new Kawasaki. If the level is good and it doesn't leak after a few weeks of riding, it's probably nothing to worry about. If it leaks more, take it in. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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06-20-2014, 12:21 PM	#3
_Brian_ Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 66	I'm due for the 600 mile service very soon so figured I would mention it to the dealer for documentation. My belt is also rubbing and starting to fray so I'll get them to replace it and install the new one a little looser and adjust to get it to track to the right of the pulley a little more. Last edited by _Brian_; 06-20-2014 at 12:23 PM.
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06-20-2014, 12:26 PM	#4
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,014	By all means mention it. As far as the belt goes, that shouldn't happen either. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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06-20-2014, 03:15 PM	#5
Silent Sam Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: On The Shakey Side Posts: 2,501	Water Pump "weep"..seems like they might have added tap-water at some point..Hard water will leave a bit of "crusting'... dunno jus speculating Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-21-2014, 02:49 AM	#7
Silent Sam Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: On The Shakey Side Posts: 2,501	Well I'm stumped...many, and maybe -all, mfg'er's these days add a cooling system 'sealer" at the factory on cars and trucks..so maybe its a seep-befor sealing, leaving a bit of factory added sealer at the weep hole.. ?? Good Luck
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06-21-2014, 12:32 PM	#8
H8BUGZ Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Midwest Posts: 273	Don't worry. I wiped the white crust off my new Voyager 5-6 times. It finally stopped seeping at about 3K miles. Reserve tank never really went down. If the dealer fixes it, you might as well put in Engine Ice coolant as the tank will be off anyway. Anything to help with the rider felt heat issue.
	0

06-21-2014, 01:46 PM	#10
Double J Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 37	I had the same thing after I bought my 1700 Vulcan Classic. Took it in to get looked at. Service guys called Kawasaki-they said to document it for warranty purposes, but it should seal up after a couple thousand miles. Never had a problem up to 12,000 miles (traded it in). __________________ '13 Victory Vision
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06-21-2014, 02:29 PM	#11
Silent Sam Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: On The Shakey Side Posts: 2,501	..A & P's...RULE !
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06-24-2014, 01:45 PM	#15
Delna Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: West Central Florida Posts: 7	I had the same issue with my 2013 Voyager last year. I took it in for the 600 mile service and was told my water pump had a minor leak and was replaced under warranty. I've been checking it on a regular basis over the last year and the replacement pump seems to be leak free.
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