[Spinner]

Ever since I purchased my '14 N300 used in Nov of '15 I've noticed a bit of an antifreeze smell when I get home and turn the engine off.

I've looked all over for leaks, and haven't found anything. During all the time I've owned the bike I haven't had to add any coolant at all - the level has been right under the Full mark since I bought it.

It might have been my imagination, but during my ride today I could swear that I smelled coolant when I pulled up to a stop sign. This would be a first. In the past I only smelled it at the end of my rides, when I parked the bike in front of the garage.

When I got home this afternoon I got a flashlight and spent about 10 minutes looking all over. No coolant leaks that I could find anywhere, nothing coming out of the overflow hose.

Am I just smelling vapor that's somehow being vented from the cooling system, or is there likely a leak somewhere that I just can't find?

Should I take the fairings off and do a complete tear-down to investigate, or just keep an eye on the level in the overflow reservoir?

I'd appreciate any ideas or first-hand experience you might have had with this sort of issue.

TIA

 

[1uglybastard]

This is why every bike needs a temp gauge. It would be helpful in determining if you have a coolant leak.

You have two options:

1) leave it alone and wait for an actual symptom to arise, like your temp light comes on (which I wouldn't want) or a leak or low coolant,

2) remove some fairings, loosen the tank, and go for a ride, then inspect the bike.

 

[Spinner]

Thanks UB.

Based on the fact that there haven’t been any folks responding with comments like “Yeah, mine does that too – it’s just XYZ venting, not a real leak” I think I have to conclude that this smell isn’t a normal thing and I need to investigate it further.

The only thing that holds me back from doing anything is that the current leak rate is so low that if it doesn’t get worse I doubt it will ever be an issue. The only problem is that I have no way of knowing if or when it may suddenly get a lot worse.

Maybe one of these days when it’s warmed up a bit more I’ll take some fairings off to get a better look.

 

[1uglybastard]

There are aftermarket temp gauges you can install. I think they cost around $100. Someone here had posted one. They installed the thermocouple in the coolant hose and placed the gauge near the bike's gauges.

 

[Jet Provost]

The tank is vented and may possibly be a little too full. I think you are most likely ok. You may just have a good nose.

 

[dkw12002]

With a radiator leak, you find greenish white residue where the leak happened and then dries up. I've had actual radiator hose leaks due to a loose clamp, but even then I never smelled anything. In that case it was easy to find the source of the leak. The only smells I get are occasional burning rubber smells and gas fume smells when I ride hard and move the bike into my garage. I've had those burning rubber smells with several bikes now and have never found what causes that either. The over-filled tank and running out the overflow tube sounds likely to me too and I wouldn't worry about it if it were me. It's hard to hear the fan, but if you ride hard and get the fan to come on by say riding around a while in 1st gear and idling, and then it does it's job and turns off after cooling the bike, that means the radiator fluid and radiator are working properly. I gauge would be nice and then you can see exactly when the fan kicks in and watch the temp drop. Usually just takes a minute or so before it shuts off again. If the fan came on and didn't shut off, that would mean something is wrong.

 

[oeno]

i would follow 1uglybastard's #2 suggestionen. When taking the fairings off in spec the inside for signs of radiator fluid. While the bike is good and hot and running look for drips. You could have a very small pin hole that is dripping instead off spraying. I had this happen on a couple of my cars. Took for ever to find the hole. Depending where it is will determine how easy it is to spot. One thing is a pin hole turns into a tare. Keep an I out for it. when it goes it will be fast. Also it could be a lose clamp and it is staring to oozing around the clamp. so check you junctions. Keep an eye on the reservoir tank.

Cheers,

 

[fradaj]

The cooling system on the 300 is pretty simple, I think you should be able to inspect it without taking off the fairings. I also suggest you download the service manual for the 300. Lots of good info including the cooling system.

 

[The Duchess]

Ever since I purchased my '14 N300 used in Nov of '15 I've noticed a bit of an antifreeze smell when I get home and turn the engine off.

I've looked all over for leaks, and haven't found anything. During all the time I've owned the bike I haven't had to add any coolant at all - the level has been right under the Full mark since I bought it.

It might have been my imagination, but during my ride today I could swear that I smelled coolant when I pulled up to a stop sign. This would be a first. In the past I only smelled it at the end of my rides, when I parked the bike in front of the garage.

When I got home this afternoon I got a flashlight and spent about 10 minutes looking all over. No coolant leaks that I could find anywhere, nothing coming out of the overflow hose.

Am I just smelling vapor that's somehow being vented from the cooling system, or is there likely a leak somewhere that I just can't find?

Should I take the fairings off and do a complete tear-down to investigate, or just keep an eye on the level in the overflow reservoir?

I'd appreciate any ideas or first-hand experience you might have had with this sort of issue.

TIA

Hello! Mine has the same issue, been having the issue almost since I’ve had it-purchased in 2018. Can catch the scent while riding as well, No leaks anywhere....

 

[iahawk]

I know this is an old thread..but yes, mine has always smelled a bit like coolant after riding. I have had a few different small leaks from hose clamps and I replaced the radiator cap a few years ago as I had a slight bit of leakage. No current signs of leaks (or coolant loss) but still get the faint sweet smell of coolant after most rides.

 

[marsh2174]

Hey, I'm having the same issue. Was anyone able to find a resolution?