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36 Posts
Hi everyone,
I had been working on an 86 VT700 with 1800 miles and sitting in a garage for several years. I did the carb cleaning (all new jets and float valve), oil, coolant, sparks plugs, air and fuel filter. The bike is running nicely and I finally had a short ride (quarter mile or so) today. I see white smoke (steam?) coming out from the exhaust. (I think it is white. But I hope not. Maybe burning a little extra oil? Or bad fuel/air mixture? Really dont know.) (by the way is there an air/fuel mix adjustment on this bike?)
Checked the spark plugs: there were kind of covered in dark smoke and smelled like fresh fuel.
BUT here is the main flag: after the short ride I saw minor coolant leaking from around a large bolt and with wire attached on top by a small screw just next to the water pump. I understand it is a switch but not sure for what. I saw a little water residue around the bolt after I removed the plastic cover. I opened the small screw holding the wire. There is an opening through the bolt. But I did not touch the bolt (I think it is 19mm).
I highly doubt I have a head gasket issue. Perhaps a blocked cooling system (thermostat or water pump)? But where I flushed the coolant it came out nicely. By the way the temperature never rose that much for the fan to kick in. (It is cold now in New York.) Also, do I need to worry too much about the coolant I am using? It is a 50/50 mix. Thanks for your help. I will try to post a pic of the bolt I am talking about if that helps.
I had been working on an 86 VT700 with 1800 miles and sitting in a garage for several years. I did the carb cleaning (all new jets and float valve), oil, coolant, sparks plugs, air and fuel filter. The bike is running nicely and I finally had a short ride (quarter mile or so) today. I see white smoke (steam?) coming out from the exhaust. (I think it is white. But I hope not. Maybe burning a little extra oil? Or bad fuel/air mixture? Really dont know.) (by the way is there an air/fuel mix adjustment on this bike?)
Checked the spark plugs: there were kind of covered in dark smoke and smelled like fresh fuel.
BUT here is the main flag: after the short ride I saw minor coolant leaking from around a large bolt and with wire attached on top by a small screw just next to the water pump. I understand it is a switch but not sure for what. I saw a little water residue around the bolt after I removed the plastic cover. I opened the small screw holding the wire. There is an opening through the bolt. But I did not touch the bolt (I think it is 19mm).
I highly doubt I have a head gasket issue. Perhaps a blocked cooling system (thermostat or water pump)? But where I flushed the coolant it came out nicely. By the way the temperature never rose that much for the fan to kick in. (It is cold now in New York.) Also, do I need to worry too much about the coolant I am using? It is a 50/50 mix. Thanks for your help. I will try to post a pic of the bolt I am talking about if that helps.