Coolant resevoir get's low often

[Steve-O]

2004 VT1100C (spirit)

My coolant resevoir seems to run low quite often. I"ve been filling it up once a month or so. is this normal?

There is always a tad left in the resevoir, but the level is below low when I fill it.

[hawkeze]

That is not normal, I have never had the coolant level drop at all. Check you hose connections and water pump.

[tubes_rock]

It's not uncommon to loose coolant if your radiator cap is failing. if it doesn't seal well, then the system won't built the pressure up like it's supposed to. That pressure is what keeps the coolant from boiling.

If you don't have pressure, you'll be losing coolant as it boils off during your ride. Your dealership ought to be able to test your radiator cap if you bring it in.

If it turns out that the cap was bad, drain your coolant an replace it. All this time, the water has been boiling, but the other goodies in the coolant (the other 50% in a 50/50 coolant mix) have been staying. As you add coolant, and loose water, the concentration of coolant to water has been increasing, so your 50/50 mix can be a 60/40 mix or a 70/30, which you don't want. Draining it and refilling will assure you have the right concentration.

--Justin

[Steve-O]

Thanks for the input. Think I'll take it in this week....

[SHADOW 1100T]

Take a hard look at the overflow hose especially where it connects to the rad and the overflow tank, it's not at all uncommon for there to be stress cracks just behind the clamps.