Coolant Smell

A month or so ago, after my wife and I went for an afternoon ride, I noticed a spot on the pavement in the area under the left side of the engine. I took it to a dealership close by, and they said they changed two hoses and o rings that go into the thermostat. Said they had to remove the gas tank and seat, and that was the only area they could find a leak. I have ridden it abot 200 miles since then. It doesn't leak, but I can still get a wiff of coolant. They told me I would probably need to wash the bike to totally get rid of the smell. As I said, it doesn't leak. Should I be concerned about the smell ?

[clayton]

I would do as the dealer recommends and give it a good washing.
If the leak directed it onto the engine or in between one of those "hard to reach/see" areas then it will eventually burn off.
If after several rides and you continue smelling it then I would at least prop up the rear of the gas tank and take a good hard look around to make sure the dearship didn't mess up...

[rewindgy]

Good luck getting rid of it! I had a small leak at the fill hole - one of the overflow hoses was not tight from the factory. I tightened up all of the clamps and I thought washed the coolant off but still after a couple of years on areally hot day and the wind blows just right you can still get a whiff of it. And I have checked the level and it hasn't dropped since then! I think that it permetes into the aluminum and when really hot it still bleeds out?

[waterman]

Same here as rewindgy, except my leak was on one of the hoses going into the head. Pain in the butt but fixed. Still occasionally have a wiff but still no signs of leaking.

[ringadingh]

Make a note of the coolant level on the resevoir tank and check it regularly for a while. If its not losing any fluid Id say they fixed it up. If you see it go down slowly you can take it back to them again.

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. That's what I'll do. Keep an eye on the fluid level. I'm trying to convince the wife that I really should get a new bike, but she ain't biting. LOL. Thanks again.

[macmac]

I would check ever water clamp there is and once each year. Getting the tank off shouldn't take more than 15 minutes.

Thanks mac, will do.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

That coolant smell lingers for some time. Just keep a check on the coolant level. You are probably fine.

[chief]

I had the coolant smell also. Finally got off my butt and pulled the tank. I didn't have any visual leaks on the engine or floor. I did find all of the hoses loose and crusty near the hose clamps. Every one was at least 1 turn loose. Corrected that, and no more smell.

[Cajunrider]

+1 on what chief said. I would occasionally pick up a slight odor of coolant and found one of the hidden clamps loose. There was a slight buildup near the end of the hose. I checked and tightened all of the clamps and after a couple of rides didn't detect the coolant smell anymore. I had to remove the tank to locate the loose clamp.