AntiFreeze Smell

vf24renegade · 06-03-2015, 09:30 PM

Sometimes during a ride, I will smell and antifreeze smell. I can't pin it down to temperature, ride duration, etc. It seems almost random. When I stop, I see a residue on the right compartment cover. I also have a very, very tiny oil leak somewhere on the front cylinder as I see some oil reside on one of the fins, sometimes. I assume it means I have a leaking head gasket, but it's all a rare occurrence. Is there perhaps another source of a leak I should be looking for?

**cnc** · 06-03-2015, 10:04 PM

The two may not be related at all.
Oil on the engine fins is often coming from the camshaft plug, they are known to leak and guys who have had that issue have been successful cleaning the area well and using high temp silicon on the seem.
Antifreeze on the right cover could be coming from several places, the over flow tank area or more likely a hose connection on top of the motor up under the tank.

macmac · 06-04-2015, 09:10 AM

I agree with CNC. You have older bikes, and it might be as simple as snugging up hose clamps. Or it might be the hoses are tired and leaking between layers of the hose it self. If you see hose end with white powder in the seams on a real close look it would mean that hose is leaking between seams. These are multi layer hoses with rubber, nylon mesh and more rubber

VulcanE · 06-04-2015, 04:48 PM

I would check the hose clamps as suggested, but another place to check would be the water pipes that go into each head. The end of the pipe fits into the head and uses an "O" ring to seal, and the hose is attached to the other end and held on with a clamp. It could be leaking around that "O" ring.

eagle · 06-04-2015, 08:53 PM

It could also be a worn rad cap. If the other suggestions don't work then replace the rad cap. That's what I had to do to stop the smell of anti freeze on my bike.

**canuckrider** · 06-04-2015, 11:50 PM

I had the same problem on my 1600 and it was a few loose hose clamps in the V between the cylinders. I could see the white residue at the ends just as Mac mentioned. I just snugged those up and no more problem.

vf24renegade · 06-05-2015, 06:54 AM

Thanks for all the info. I can breathe a sigh of relief and look at the hoses. Thanks!

**ringadingh** · 06-05-2015, 07:40 AM

I agree with all of the above answers. Take the tank off the bike and it should help locate the anti freeze leak.

06-03-2015, 09:30 PM	#1
vf24renegade Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Davisboro, Georgia Posts: 56	AntiFreeze Smell Sometimes during a ride, I will smell and antifreeze smell. I can't pin it down to temperature, ride duration, etc. It seems almost random. When I stop, I see a residue on the right compartment cover. I also have a very, very tiny oil leak somewhere on the front cylinder as I see some oil reside on one of the fins, sometimes. I assume it means I have a leaking head gasket, but it's all a rare occurrence. Is there perhaps another source of a leak I should be looking for? __________________ 1999 Nomad + 2000 Drifter 800 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-03-2015, 10:04 PM	#2
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	The two may not be related at all. Oil on the engine fins is often coming from the camshaft plug, they are known to leak and guys who have had that issue have been successful cleaning the area well and using high temp silicon on the seem. Antifreeze on the right cover could be coming from several places, the over flow tank area or more likely a hose connection on top of the motor up under the tank. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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06-04-2015, 09:10 AM	#3
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	I agree with CNC. You have older bikes, and it might be as simple as snugging up hose clamps. Or it might be the hoses are tired and leaking between layers of the hose it self. If you see hose end with white powder in the seams on a real close look it would mean that hose is leaking between seams. These are multi layer hoses with rubber, nylon mesh and more rubber __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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06-04-2015, 04:48 PM	#4
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	I would check the hose clamps as suggested, but another place to check would be the water pipes that go into each head. The end of the pipe fits into the head and uses an "O" ring to seal, and the hose is attached to the other end and held on with a clamp. It could be leaking around that "O" ring. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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06-04-2015, 08:53 PM	#5
eagle Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Posts: 291	It could also be a worn rad cap. If the other suggestions don't work then replace the rad cap. That's what I had to do to stop the smell of anti freeze on my bike. __________________ 2001 Nomad 1500 FI - Sold 😟 2005 Harley Davidson Road King Classic 2003 Honda GL1800 Goldwing Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-04-2015, 11:50 PM	#6
canuckrider Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Okotoks, AB, Canada Posts: 1,088	I had the same problem on my 1600 and it was a few loose hose clamps in the V between the cylinders. I could see the white residue at the ends just as Mac mentioned. I just snugged those up and no more problem. __________________ "Sun on my face, wind in my hair, sound of my bike in my ears and peace in my soul..." VBA Member #01514 2008 "Ultra" Nomad 1600, Candy Plasma Blue
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06-05-2015, 06:54 AM	#7
vf24renegade Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Davisboro, Georgia Posts: 56	Thanks for all the info. I can breathe a sigh of relief and look at the hoses. Thanks! __________________ 1999 Nomad + 2000 Drifter 800
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06-05-2015, 07:40 AM	#8
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I agree with all of the above answers. Take the tank off the bike and it should help locate the anti freeze leak. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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