Radiator problem..help needed!

Discussion in 'Maintenance' started by BearOnBlade, Feb 9, 2014.

  1. BearOnBlade

    BearOnBlade New Member

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    Hi all, was running my 2006 fireblade 1000 earlier as it's been in the garage for a few weeks and once it warmed up, green coolant started spraying from the radiator, all over the fan and fairing. I am pretty certain this didn't happen on my last ride a few weeks ago and I cannot see damage to the front face of radiator. Does anyone know why this might have happened? Is it a fault with this age bike?! Any help would be appreciated! Thanks
     
  2. Blackness

    Blackness Active Member

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    Hello mate. Can you see exactly where its coming from ? Could be a pin hole in the rad caused by corrosion !
    Ive got a RR6 and everything on it is pretty mint apart from the rad which has a bit of corrosion attacking it despite my constant cleaning and polishing. I'll probably try and by a new one because i ride all year round and its taken a bit of a battering this shitty winter !
     
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  3. kev.b

    kev.b Well-Known Member

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    RR6 rads are pretty fragile an corrode easy .
    I cleaned an repainted my RR6 rad last winter .
    Need to try an keep the rad dry as after washing the bike the rad stays damp an corrodes . A rad guard is a must .
     
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  4. Blackness

    Blackness Active Member

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    What paint did you use Kev ?
     
  5. Mike07

    Mike07 Active Member

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    The Radiator as I'm sure you will know is an expensive bit of kit, but its vital to do its job correctly. All the same you don't have to buy a new one, they can be fixed, tho this often necessitates loosing some of the cooling potential of the rad. I would stay away from pour in sealants, I don't think they help keeping the engine waterways clear and can lead to hot spots in your engine. perhaps a repair internal clean and some fancy cooling fluid may solve your problem.
    ...... Good Luck,
    Mike.
    PS ..... Have you established exactly where the coolant is coming from? It's not a connection.
     
    #5 Mike07, Feb 9, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2014
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  6. kev.b

    kev.b Well-Known Member

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    Just painted my rad with etch primer an satin black aerosol paint . Its been fine .
     
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  7. megawatt

    megawatt Well-Known Member

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    I repaired a small radiator leak with K-Seal It. Mix it with hot water and add to coolant circuit via pressure cap, NOT RESERVOIR TANK. Was still working two years later.
     
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  8. BearOnBlade

    BearOnBlade New Member

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    Thanks all for help much appreciated, is k seal a safe option do people think? I have established the hole is a tiny pin hole in back of radiator just behind the fan. What would cost of repair be at a dealer/garage? Bike would have to be picked up too.
     
  9. thefirebloke

    thefirebloke Elite Member

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    Howdy Bear, I have an 05 blade that I use on track. Last year I fitted a full Akrapovic race system which unknown to me was touching the back of the rad. It put a hole in it and cut short my trackday. I removed the rad and took it to a radiator specialist who repaired and pressure tested it for £50. It's been fine since. He also gave it a bit of a rub down and sprayed it black which was a nice touch.
     
  10. megawatt

    megawatt Well-Known Member

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    It costs around ten quid for about 3 or 4 treatments. It does work and it doesn't feck your cooling system up. I have repaired mine and 3 other's rads with it !
     
  11. Mike07

    Mike07 Active Member

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    Re my advice to not use rad seal, this is a personal view. I don't fancy goop flowing around my engine and rad in a hot summer. But I have no solid research based evidence to prove my view. you have to ask yourself are you just going to leave it in and not repair the Rad? I think that is a risky option. This is a high performance engine not an old thumper.
    Mike.
     
    #11 Mike07, Feb 9, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2014
  12. SIDEWAYS

    SIDEWAYS Senior Member

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    K-seal is very very good and I can vouch for it cos I sell so many bottles of it.It is a liquid and has been used on all sorts of rads.I would use it if I needed to on my bike too.
     
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  13. thefirebloke

    thefirebloke Elite Member

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    I suppose it really depends on how large the hole is.
     
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  14. Kentblade

    Kentblade God Like

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    If it is has reported a small pinprick, take it to a radiator company and get it repaired. The only issue you need to look at is if it is impact damage or corrosion, if its the latter, then you need to look at the condition of the the whole matrix.
    These rads are virtually impossible to get re cored, due to both the taper and curve in them. I tried for 2 years to find a company that could do it without success.
     
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  15. megawatt

    megawatt Well-Known Member

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    Why do some people insist on looking for a more expensive way to repair a problem. I have used this stuff, it works , it doesn't block up your radiator or affect your engine cooling, I have not had any problems with my Blade since using it. It's not RAD Seal, it's K-Seal It and it works. FFS
     
    #15 megawatt, Feb 9, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2014
  16. Kentblade

    Kentblade God Like

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    From that Megawatt, I take it that maybe, possibly, potentially, with all things considered, you are unlikely after full consideration to go down the route of a recommendation of welding it then? And that something akin to a sealant would be your first choice?
     
    #16 Kentblade, Feb 10, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2014
  17. megawatt

    megawatt Well-Known Member

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    Yes mate. Holes usually start off tiny and are easily filled by K-Seal It. Fair enough if it doesn't work, but welding often doesn't work and usually costs a lot. Why spend £100 when a tenner will do the job ???
     
  18. Kentblade

    Kentblade God Like

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    Mate, it was a joke...............:D
     
  19. megawatt

    megawatt Well-Known Member

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    I know mate. There is a deep , subliminal message in my answer.
     
  20. scooby

    scooby Elite Member

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    ditto,it really is good stuff,like rad weld but on steroids,it can also be used to help seal cracks in the head,although not a;lways 100% unless they are tacked to stop the crack spreading,but good as a temp measure.
     

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