Well, finally got a lift adapter. Put her in the air to do some cleaning and tinkering and low and behold something is leaking. Looks like oil but it could be coolant mixed with road grime. No drips on the floor. Oil level perfect. Can anyone help me identify where this leak maybe coming from? Seems to be leaking above and down rear case of engine/trans.. Thank you. 10500 miles btw.
Help with leak...
1 - 20 of 55 Posts
Joined
·
120 Posts
"Looks like coolant, greenish color on the alternator.
Search coolant leaks, or leaks or rear engine leak if you haven't already,
it's been covered. One of many on the subject below in link.
The Rune uses screw/worm type coolant clamps and
with time for many they can leak a bit. If the Rune is
stored in a cold storage and is moved to a warmer temp it can
help with the clamps leaking. The worm type clamps can't adjust for
the temp change and how the different materials change with temperatures.
Many will never notice the leak, the leak will be so small
and with time and as the Rune warms up the leak will seal itself.
While doing any service work to your Rune, tighten up any hose clamps
you get access to. IIRC clamps in the rear area can be accessed after removing the
alternator cover for one option, and the leak(s) is at the Y pipe in the rear."
Coolant leak from back of motor... | Rune Rider Forums (runeriders.com)
Search coolant leaks, or leaks or rear engine leak if you haven't already,
it's been covered. One of many on the subject below in link.
The Rune uses screw/worm type coolant clamps and
with time for many they can leak a bit. If the Rune is
stored in a cold storage and is moved to a warmer temp it can
help with the clamps leaking. The worm type clamps can't adjust for
the temp change and how the different materials change with temperatures.
Many will never notice the leak, the leak will be so small
and with time and as the Rune warms up the leak will seal itself.
While doing any service work to your Rune, tighten up any hose clamps
you get access to. IIRC clamps in the rear area can be accessed after removing the
alternator cover for one option, and the leak(s) is at the Y pipe in the rear."
Coolant leak from back of motor... | Rune Rider Forums (runeriders.com)
Yes sir. After searching on here since i posted, i have to agree its a coolant leak. Somewhat relieved. I can not find any info on what needs to be pulled to get to those clamps in the rear. Seems like that info has been deleted when reading old posts. Also, my bike is stored where it will see cold temps, but I ride all winter. Short trips... about 1200 miles since mid December.
Joined
·
120 Posts
" S/M pg 1-40 has a great diagram of rear area hoses,
also see pg 7-11 (lower) for info on possible water pump failure.
After you get it figured out and fixed.
Make a tech thread on it with info/pics to help others that may have the same problem/question in the future.
Thanks! "
also see pg 7-11 (lower) for info on possible water pump failure.
After you get it figured out and fixed.
Make a tech thread on it with info/pics to help others that may have the same problem/question in the future.
Thanks! "
Will do. Thanks for the info.
Well, I wiped the area clean that had the green/yellow coolant on it. Was hoping this was an old issue the previous owner had and fixed because my coolant is blue. Was in the mid 70`s yesterday so I took her out for a nice little ride. Nope... still leaks. I wiped the area dry when i got back and laid under the bike with it running. I can clearly see the seam between pump and block slightly gather coolant dead center at the seam. Looks like I`m going to need a new water pump. Yay... 10,000 miles. On a positive... no difference in over flow level after the 250+ miles yesterday so its just seeping. Another positive... 45.7 mpg. I also had to use a couple rubber expanding freeze plugs to plug the drilled exhaust to lay under bike without choking. WOW... what a difference. Super quiet. So.... water pump unavailable of course. I thought this was the same motor as the Goldwing. So am I screwed...? I tried looking for any loose clamps which would be at the pump to possibly cause where this leak is... i can not even see them. Took off alternator cover, seat, etc. Definitely will be a pita the get to.
Joined
·
120 Posts
"Get an inspection camera and find the weep hole and make sure it is coming from it.
Coolant can be a tricky fluid to trace back it it's leak source.
Use the camera to locate the clamps as well. Flex shaft tools to snug up clamps where possible.
Should be able to get an idea of what you're looking for by doing an
online search for Goldwing water pump weep hole or inspection hole.
Hopefully one of the clamps in the area is where the leak is from.
Use pictures in S/M on 7-12 to 7-15 to help if you haven't already.
As to the Rune having a Goldwing engine, that is BS.
It has its foundation in the Goldwing engine and from there was built
to be unique to the Rune.
They do share some parts and whole lot others are only Rune.
IMO, rubber plugs in the drilled exhaust or mufflers don't make sense to me. I'd use metal plug buttons."
Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am hoping it's just a loose clamp. With it being so warm yesterday, I was honestly hoping it would stop like the many posts I have read here with the clamps. The rubber freeze plugs were just so I can lay under the bike with it running and not get blasted and choked out by the exhaust while i watch the area where its leaking. They are out. Temporary tools I guess you could say.
Joined
·
120 Posts
"As far as what to do if the water pump is the problem:
1. see if Khaan has one he will part with or someone else maybe?
2. and this is just a possibility, parts fiche for the Rune and a same year Goldwing (pictures below)
look like the water pump for each is at least similar (of course I may be wrong on that), maybe it's possible to swap in a Goldwing one as is or with a little adjustment.
It has been shown that another unavailable Rune part
(Ignition coil) can be replaced with a Goldwing one,
even with having a different part number than the Rune one, it will work on the Rune.
Someone with a Rune and Wing would know more...and be of more help.
3. there has to be a motorcycle water pump rebuilding service some place,
a lot of old motorcycles out there that parts can't be had for anymore. "
"Or buy Skip's parts bike."
"RUNE"
"WING"
Thank u for all the info. Much appreciated. Heck... I wonder if that gasket #4 can just be replaced if no pump can be had. Not giving up on it being as simple as a loose clamp yet. I need to get eyes on those clamps first before concluding 100% it's the wp.
Joined
·
120 Posts
Great pic. Thank you.
Joined
·
7,033 Posts
CAVEAT - I know FAR, FAR less....about "all things mechanical"....than Dan does (Rune-Gearhead).
But I just wanted to echo some of things he has already mentioned. One, I've seen MANY on here....have those "hard to find" clamps on radiator hoses leak toward the back of the engine. Heck, MINE did. I couldn't find em'.....so I mentioned it to my dealer next time I brought the bike in...and they found TWO leaking ever so slightly towards the back of the engine. Tightened them up.....and my slight leak was solved. And second "echo" of what Dan already told you.....on my Valkyrie....when the alternator went out ....we found out a Gold Wing alternator....while a separate part....could easily be made to work on my Valk by loosening a few bolts ....rotating the mount 90 degrees...and then mounting the Wing alternator on the Valk. So likewise, there could (make that probably is) some parts that can be made to work from the Wing on the Rune. BTW, the Gold Wing alternator was also MUCH less expensive than the "unavailable" Valk alterntor....go figure. So that could even be a possible added benefit for those finding parts that can be made to work on the Rune?
Again, not telling you anything new ....just echoing a second agreeing opinion on what Dan already told you....................
But I just wanted to echo some of things he has already mentioned. One, I've seen MANY on here....have those "hard to find" clamps on radiator hoses leak toward the back of the engine. Heck, MINE did. I couldn't find em'.....so I mentioned it to my dealer next time I brought the bike in...and they found TWO leaking ever so slightly towards the back of the engine. Tightened them up.....and my slight leak was solved. And second "echo" of what Dan already told you.....on my Valkyrie....when the alternator went out ....we found out a Gold Wing alternator....while a separate part....could easily be made to work on my Valk by loosening a few bolts ....rotating the mount 90 degrees...and then mounting the Wing alternator on the Valk. So likewise, there could (make that probably is) some parts that can be made to work from the Wing on the Rune. BTW, the Gold Wing alternator was also MUCH less expensive than the "unavailable" Valk alterntor....go figure. So that could even be a possible added benefit for those finding parts that can be made to work on the Rune?
Again, not telling you anything new ....just echoing a second agreeing opinion on what Dan already told you....................
Thank you for the reply. I ordered an inspection camera so hopefully I`ll be able to get a better look this weekend.
Joined
·
1,127 Posts
Shalas Rune, as well as my Rune, both leaked up front, and as I recall (it's been a ton of years since) I ended up putting a second hose clamp around one of the radiator hoses where it went into the front, up high. There wasn't a lot of room to work with, but again, as I recall, I did add a 2nd clamp, and my leak hasn't returned. Her's only pees a 2" puddle of green, and only does that during an extreme cold spell. Never leaks during warmer weather.
Yeah, mine has not puddled yet. It seems to leak while running.
Joined
·
120 Posts
"not to make your situation any worse, with a used bike if the prior owner is not known to you,
it's not a bad idea to do a fluid change on all the fluids."
"From 2008"
![Map Organism Font Slope Pattern]()
it's not a bad idea to do a fluid change on all the fluids."
"From 2008"
"From 2009"I got it.
There are 6 hose clamps at the back of the bike on hose 11, 12, & 13. I was able to tighten them with only removing the alternator cover. It was not easy, I could not even get a light the shine in there properly. It was not fun, but the lift was a great help, & the beer. 😉 I ran it for a long time on the lift with no leaks.
Only 14,000 miles
Not much room!!!
Tools needed!
not to make your situation any worse, with a used bike if the prior owner is not known to you,
it's not a bad idea to do a fluid change on all the fluids."
All my fluids have been changed. That's why when I first saw the dried green yellow coolant I thought it an oil leak. My coolant is blue. What I see seeping looks more brownish. The info with the three hoses to tighten... that Y connection (see pic) is much lower than the leak. Also, with alternator cover removed I can only see the hose to the top center of pump and also part of that Y below. That clamp I can see on the wp looks tight and dry (pic). By where I see it seeping, it's either the hoses at the wp (red circled), or the weep hole. Inspection camera shipped.
it's not a bad idea to do a fluid change on all the fluids."
All my fluids have been changed. That's why when I first saw the dried green yellow coolant I thought it an oil leak. My coolant is blue. What I see seeping looks more brownish. The info with the three hoses to tighten... that Y connection (see pic) is much lower than the leak. Also, with alternator cover removed I can only see the hose to the top center of pump and also part of that Y below. That clamp I can see on the wp looks tight and dry (pic). By where I see it seeping, it's either the hoses at the wp (red circled), or the weep hole. Inspection camera shipped.
Attachments
Joined
·
120 Posts
"yes Y connection is lower, it's the other end(s), hose 11 connects at green arrow/wp.
I say it'll be a clamp leak and not the WP itself, either clamps at WP or upper clamp on hose 19.
Time to sit back, once you get an inspection camera and have a look around it'll provide
more information.
Good Luck! you'll get it figured out."
![Organism Font Red Slope Diagram]()
.
I say it'll be a clamp leak and not the WP itself, either clamps at WP or upper clamp on hose 19.
Time to sit back, once you get an inspection camera and have a look around it'll provide
more information.
Good Luck! you'll get it figured out."
Thank you.
1 - 20 of 55 Posts
