Hello guy's I got this 01 F4i almost 6 months ago. When purchased it only had 14k miles its been stored for years. Not sure how it was stored but regardless the bike was not run for a very long time. I had it checked out by mechanic and the engine was in tip top shape so bought it. When purchased I noticed the yellow coolant coloration all over the back of the bike like it had a leak. The mechanic said he checked out the system and it was working just fine.

So 3 days ago I am heading back from my friends, I don't punch the bike THAT hard, but I def got a heavier hand. Anyway I start to smell this odd smell coming form my back and look down my coolant is just flowing out from the bottom of my bike. Pulled it over to get a better look the cap was still on so it was from with in the bike. I am not sure if the oil had leaked into the coolant or vise verse. I checked the oil level and its fine, just the coolant all exploded out.

Topped it with water to get home and now got bike on the stands and am researching how and what I need to do to fix this. From what I gather I need to look for hose leeks, but I am topped with water right now and nothing is leaking out even ran it around to see. So for a leak in the pipes don't see how it could be that as I am holding water. I also noticed the fan was not kicking in when it should which could be a fuse will check that. Could the fan have anything to do with the coolant explosion?

I also saw some people talking about replacing the o ring seals. Which I can do, but also goes back to why am I holding water right now then if there is a o ring or tube breakage. Also the idle just randomly went from its normal 1.5 rpm to 3.5 rpm out of no where.

I plan to rip the bike apart and test and try anything, but seeing if anyone has had this happen to them. Not a small leak but literally the entire coolant reserve just all flowing out at once. Hoping its not a major issue and I can fix it my self as $$$ is an issue currently. Any help is greatly appreciated thx

 

Forgot to add it appears the Fan is not kicking on now, could be fuse or thing is broke but that is most likely the reason for the coolant to just spill out everywhere

 

I'm not sure where the overflow pipe is situated on these bikes (mine's a 2002 F1), but it is probably underneath the bike somewhere aiming down to the floor. I suspect that the radiator cap may need replacing for if it fails then the coolant will be going out of the overflow pipe. Try a new radiator cap and let us know if it cures the fault?

 

It sounds a lot like what happened to me a few years ago. I was stuck in traffic at the beach, cops ticket for splitting lanes, the fan was on but the bike hit 215+ while my helmet blocked the cluster from view. She pissed out a little less than half of the coolant even though I shut it down immediately and pushed it off the road. Then a cop started yelling at me that my bike was leaking, like I didn't know. I blew up and screamed at her and she walked away. Anyhow I would bet that your fan itself is either dead from storage, which also happened to mine, or you temp switch is shot. The easy test/solution to all of the above issues is to pull the wire that runs from the fan to the little plug like thing in your radiator and see if she kicks on when you ground out the wire. If that works run a new ground wire to frame and put a toggle switch on it. Run the fan at all times when the bike is on and don't forget to turn it off when you park it. Overheating causes blow-by in the coolant system, it's kind of like your final warning.

Sorry this is so long winded

 

left side just inside the fairing at the bottom in front of the shifter

 

I get the shop manual today or tomorrow, so I can start going through the bike. I feel its the fan having an issue, but I will check the radiator cap and replace it as well. I know the temp gage is working correctly, will check the fuse for the fan see if that is stopping it form working. Will replace wires as well, in case that is the issue.

 

the temp guage is not what turns on the fan. the plug i described in the left side of the radiator is a thermostat switch that controls the fan and turns it on by completing the ground side of the circuit. if your fuse is fine, which it probably is, that is the most common place to have the fan fail.

 

Ok so after ripping the bike down to figure out what is going on found the issue. My entire cooling system needs to be replaced. Upon taking off the hoses leading to the radiator that orange gunk just spewed out, which was the beginning of rust. Nothing has rusted yet its just the goo form before it actually rusts. We flushed the radiator as best as we could, but it would need to be serviced to get all that crap out, THAT IS if it can be correctly cleaned.

I found this on Ebay

Radiator Cooler Cooling for Honda CBR600 F4i CBR 600 2001 2006 02 03 04 05 Black | eBay

Replacement radiator how ever not OEM and Chinese, but it should be fine. OEM from Honda runs for $565.38

2nd my water pump needs to be replaced as well. Once we unhooked the pump and opened it up discovered the blade was completely destroyed. Which is why the cooling system was not circulating. From the years the bike sat the **** just rusted on the bottom making the blades weak until they just broke. Now a replacement water pump system from Honda is $165.18 or roughly $80 used on line. How ever the used ones on line I do not know condition and can not see them in person to open up and check out. So I am sorta thinking get the OEM from honda its only another $100 and I know its new and working.

All my hoses and clamps are good we checked them out, All I need to do is replace the radiator or get it cleaned, replace the water pump. Clean and put it all back together and the bike should be back to perfect working order.

Should I buy the Chinese radiator that is brand new, or try and get my OEM cleaned and re use that. Also should I try and save get a used water pump, or just get the OEM from Honda?

 

I also found this one, which is here in the states so can get it much quicker.

New Radiator for Honda CBR600F CBR 600F4I 2001 06 05 04 03 02 01 USA SHIP Ready | eBay

But the Chinese one that may take a month looks to be OEM, The aluminum one should be fine just seeing what you guys think.

Also for the water pump, I found some used ones on ebay that say perfect working order. But I think for that I am best to buy OEM from Honda spend $100 but its new and manufacturer part, what is best buy new from honda or get used?

 

Chinese radiators, as with most bike parts from China tend to be total ****. Pigeon crap welding spatter, thin metal, funny sized holes and misplaced mounts.


Can you not find a used OEM radiator?