Radiator pressure tester?

[usmalenurse]

Any recommendations for a radiator pressure tester? Has anyone used the Mityvac MV4510 Motorcycle Cooling System Test Kit. Harbor Freight sells one that is $90 but the MityVac is under $50 on Amazon. I have developed a radiator leak over the summer and can't tell where it's coming from. Leaks down from the right side facing the rear of the bike. Bike is not overheating but just a slow dribble that begins immediately after starting the bike. Going to work on it over the winter and figured the best way to start would be with a pressure testing device before I start removing everything. I can't see anything from above or below at this point and know I'll have to remove battery and battery case to see if it's only a hose or whatever. Just looking for any tips at this point.... Thanks

[GrandpaDenny]

Having a visible leak, why would you need a pressure tester? Coolant leaks usually come from the usual suspect places from any vehicle - hoses and loose clamps. Only unusual place is (and I'm experiencing this myself) is the o-rings on the external coolant manifold. So, if you're going to take it apart at some point anyway, it's probably a good idea to replace all the hoses (how old do you reckon they are, anyway?) and then let the bike pressure test itself - if it comes up to temp and doesn't leak, it's holding pressure. Pressure testers are useful if you have an overheating problem that isn't visually apparent, like a leak. In other words, a pressure tester is useful for troubleshooting internal leaks, like cracked stuff. Save yer money.

[usmalenurse]

I do have "visible leak" from the bottom of the bike but I can't tell where it originates from. Thought that perhaps the pressure test would guide me to the source a little easier. I'm assuming all the hoses are original so that puts them at 24-25 years old so leak could be from a number of sources....and I am planning to replace the hoses as I go. Not a mechanic but I just retired and plan to do a little more wrench work in the near future...

[GrandpaDenny]

The pressure tester won't help a bit. Only way to tell where it's coming from is to take the bike apart and look. Not all of the bike, just start with the false tank and check your hoses. Check the Tech section on here, there are a number of articles dealing with cooling system issues. Hoses are almost always the culprit. Some of us (myself included) have experienced a mysterious minor leak only when the bike is outside overnight and it's really cold - that turns out to be the o-rings on the external coolant log. Major disassembly required to fix that, apparently - I'll let everyone know when it warms up enough, say around June

[usmalenurse]

Hopefully it will be just something simple...I love simple! Just started this summer and not bad, just can't tell where it's coming from. Read up on the other posts and just waiting till the urge to plunge into it hits....

[usmalenurse]

Pulled everything off the sides and front of the bike and found my leak issue. Just the short bottom hose on the radiator with a pinhole leak and was spraying it upwards making it hard to figure out where the leak originated from. Able to start up the bike and with everything removed I finally found the source. According to the Dollar 4 Dollar info it should be 39062-1151 and has a Dayco replacement listed that I assume I will have to cut to fit. Question now is do I need to loosen up the radiator to give me more room to get the hose back on or will I be able to get the hose in place with the radiator in place?

[cushman eagle]

Hello,usmalenurse,I am glad you found your leak.
You probably need to loosen your radiator mounting bolts to change your hose,but unless you have a reason to believe your hoses and o-rings in the cooling system have been changed in the last 5 years,I would suggest you do that since you are in the beginning of the process now.
I changed all mine a couple years ago,and although it takes some work,you will probably begin replacing components over time until you have changed them anyway
Our bikes are old enough those parts our getting to fail.

[usmalenurse]

I had thought about removing the radiator and checking/replacing the main hoses. I know they have not been changed since I bought the bike in
'09 with only 19K so I doubt they have ever been changed. Are the main O-rings that need to be changed the ones on the coolant cylinder pipe? Hesitant to mess with the ones going into the water pump as I tend to go with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" crowd.

[cushman eagle]

I had thought about removing the radiator and checking/replacing the main hoses. I know they have not been changed since I bought the bike in
'09 with only 19K so I doubt they have ever been changed. Are the main O-rings that need to be changed the ones on the coolant cylinder pipe? Hesitant to mess with the ones going into the water pump as I tend to go with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" crowd.

Yes,the ones I had leak were on the water manifold in front of the engine,and the 2 water outlet tubes on top of the engine.
I also changed the water pump o-rings,but they showed no signs of leaking

[usmalenurse]

Will check into replacing what I can. Pulled the trigger on a "new to me" Goldwing last week so I still have a "spare"; actually 2 spares for now, so hopefully I can get the Voyager back together before spring. Was planning to ride the Voyager to the rally in Flagstaff but now I'm sure I have one that can make the trip out west.