OK, like I don't have enough problems with my battery charging, slow puncture, lazy centre stand...

Arrived at work this morning, switched off the ignition, could hear the noise of hot water gurgling and rushing, and saw water dripping out under the middle of the bike. It stopped after a few teaspoonfuls had dripped out. I started the engine, the fan cut in (hot engine due to heavy traffic), waited 30 seconds but no more water came out.

I don't think the leak is from the water pump.

Could it be something silly like the rubber cap is not secure on the coolant overflow bottle? Or is this just some sort of overflow mechanism (which I've never noticed before)?

Thanks again folks.

 

There's a 3-way Y shaped plastic hose connector up near the radiator.
If it cracks you'll get a small amount of water due to pressure- if it goes completely you'll be stuck, so have a good look at what's going on.
It may of course be a cracked hose or a loose clamp.....

Wemoto may be a good option for a spare. Some of us have had stainless ones made by one of our members. Ask Sprock about it.

The gurgling sounds like she was boiling so as a minimum I'd check the radiator level.......

 

Thanks Shadow. I replaced that Y connector a couple of years ago. Will check hoses etc before I get on her tonight.

 

Might be worth a quick check of the coolant drain bolt as well, just forward of the side stand.

 

Make sure the radiator cap holds pressure.

 

Thanks guys. Had a good look before riding home, no more water on the ground, no signs of water leaks, but it was a dark car park, warmed her up, still ok, rode home, no gurgling when I got home but the engine was cold all the way. Am hoping it was water in the fairing!

 

check your exspansion tank as well, I had an issue with my mk1, it would drip out by the stand, when I checked it out the overflow pipe for the tank was to long and went almost to the bottom of the tank so when she got warm the water was pushing out the overflow, took a bit off the pipe and it hasn't happened again

 

^^^ +1

Same issue on my old girl, they do seem to be quite sensitive about the length of the overflow pipe.

 

Thanks wheelnut and kiwi.
Where is this pipe connected? Do you mean the breather or the syphon (as in service manual)? I don't see a pipe that goes into the tank itself.
However I noticed my centre stand has become quite stiff lately and there's a rubber tube hanging down by it. Never saw that before. Will have a look.

 

Hi again wheelnut - just saw an older post where you said "for some reason the pipe through the cap into the tank on mine went right to the bottom" - so now I know what you mean!