Coolant leak 75'

Discuss everything about Honda GoldWing. Feel free to ask any question related to GoldWing.

Moderators: CYBORG, Oldewing, robin1731, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
Prospect
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2017 11:45 am
Location: Toronto Canada

Coolant leak 75'

#1

Post by Prospect »

I noticed a coolant leak from the coolant cross tubes. It's coming from the one on the left side of the bike. It's very small but I'm sure as soon as I start circulating and running the bike it'll be a lot. I'm new to the GL1000. Can somebody recommend what the best way to approach this leak is?
Attachments
PXL_20211110_181116509.jpg
PXL_20211110_181116509.jpg (190.62 KiB) Viewed 334 times
PXL_20211110_181343190.jpg
PXL_20211110_181343190.jpg (210.14 KiB) Viewed 334 times
Current Bikes
1969 CB750 Sandcast
1971 CB750K1
1972 CB750K1
1975 CB400F
1975 GL1000 Goldwing
1954 Harley Davidson Panhead
1957 Harley Davidson Panhead
User avatar
Lucien Harpress
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 4077
Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
Location: Michigan

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#2

Post by Lucien Harpress »

The two screws connect the elbow to the head, and everything else is press fit together with o-rings.

Remove the screws, get some new gaskets and o-rings, make sure the crosstube isn't damaged, and replace.

Probably the easiest coolant leak to fix on these bikes.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
Prospect
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2017 11:45 am
Location: Toronto Canada

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#3

Post by Prospect »

Silly question. Do I need to drain the coolant before I do this? I just put all new coolant in there. Are the gaskets and orings still available from Honda?
Current Bikes
1969 CB750 Sandcast
1971 CB750K1
1972 CB750K1
1975 CB400F
1975 GL1000 Goldwing
1954 Harley Davidson Panhead
1957 Harley Davidson Panhead
User avatar
Lucien Harpress
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 4077
Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
Location: Michigan

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#4

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Pretty sure you have to drain the coolant for this. I've re-used coolant before, especially if it's that fresh, so you may as well drain it.

From what I can tell gaskets and o-rings are still available from Honda. The gaskets are part number 19429-371-306 and the o-rings 91301-MB6-003.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
User avatar
pidjones
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3237
Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 4:06 pm
Location: East TN

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#5

Post by pidjones »

#1 - get a #3 JIS screwdriver. #2- smack the crews smartly to break corrosion binding free. Try hard not to break the crews removing them, they are prone to snap off. Clean the tube OD, elbow and manifold IDs well and lubricate the new o-rings with silicone grease. Use a new gasket between the elbow and the head.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
Prospect
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2017 11:45 am
Location: Toronto Canada

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#6

Post by Prospect »

Miraculously I was able to free the screws using my impact driver - an essential tool.

I'll order the parts and report here.
Current Bikes
1969 CB750 Sandcast
1971 CB750K1
1972 CB750K1
1975 CB400F
1975 GL1000 Goldwing
1954 Harley Davidson Panhead
1957 Harley Davidson Panhead
Shadowjack
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 654
Joined: Fri May 26, 2017 11:07 am

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#7

Post by Shadowjack »

Get the proper Honda o-rings, grease them before assembly, and do all of them.
User avatar
Sidecar Bob
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 7630
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:14 pm
Location: Kawartha Lakes, Ontario

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#8

Post by Sidecar Bob »

I bought a lot of 100 o-rings the correct size to fit those pipes and all the pipes on my CX too for a few $. When I had the 'Wing engine apart I bought a kit and used the o-rings from it but I've used the eBay ones on the CX in the past and thy sealed OK.
Before you put it back together polish the places that the rings have to seal against with a ScotchBrite (remember to clean off any of the abrasive residue afterward).
Lubricate only the outer edges of the new o-rings after they are in place on the tubes (this helps keep them from twisting) and use only silicone grease on them because petroleum based greases will cause the rubber to deteriorate prematurely.

For the gasket you can either order one from Honda or if you have gasket paper you can cut your own in a couple of minutes. All of the engine gaskets except for the head gaskets can be cut from 0.8mm (1/32") gasket sheet that you can buy at any auto parts place. I usually buy it as 18" x 36" rolls from CTC (Fel-Pro #3023 - it isn't on the website but it is usually on the shelf) and save the offcuts from bigger gaskets for things like the joint (elbow) gaskets. The hardest part of cutting your own gaskets is making the bolt holes but I bought a set of hollow punches at Princess for that and it became easy.
For the outside of the gasket, place the cleaned part on the gasket material and trace around it with a ballpoint pen, then punch the bolt holes, drop bolts through them to align the part with the sheet and gently press around the edges of the opening to mark the gasket. Once that is done you can cut the gasket out with scissors, a sharp knife or a combination of the two.

BTW: Did the leak appear when you ran the engine or did you find the puddle on it after storage? When I had the 1000 engine in my 'Wing and stored it in an unheated shed for the winter there was always a tablespoon or so of coolant on top of the engine in the spring but it never leaked when running...
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
Prospect
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2017 11:45 am
Location: Toronto Canada

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#9

Post by Prospect »

Sidecar Bob wrote: Thu Nov 11, 2021 1:17 pm I bought a lot of 100 o-rings the correct size to fit those pipes and all the pipes on my CX too for a few $. When I had the 'Wing engine apart I bought a kit and used the o-rings from it but I've used the eBay ones on the CX in the past and thy sealed OK.
Before you put it back together polish the places that the rings have to seal against with a ScotchBrite (remember to clean off any of the abrasive residue afterward).
Lubricate only the outer edges of the new o-rings after they are in place on the tubes (this helps keep them from twisting) and use only silicone grease on them because petroleum based greases will cause the rubber to deteriorate prematurely.

For the gasket you can either order one from Honda or if you have gasket paper you can cut your own in a couple of minutes. All of the engine gaskets except for the head gaskets can be cut from 0.8mm (1/32") gasket sheet that you can buy at any auto parts place. I usually buy it as 18" x 36" rolls from CTC (Fel-Pro #3023 - it isn't on the website but it is usually on the shelf) and save the offcuts from bigger gaskets for things like the joint (elbow) gaskets. The hardest part of cutting your own gaskets is making the bolt holes but I bought a set of hollow punches at Princess for that and it became easy.
For the outside of the gasket, place the cleaned part on the gasket material and trace around it with a ballpoint pen, then punch the bolt holes, drop bolts through them to align the part with the sheet and gently press around the edges of the opening to mark the gasket. Once that is done you can cut the gasket out with scissors, a sharp knife or a combination of the two.

BTW: Did the leak appear when you ran the engine or did you find the puddle on it after storage? When I had the 1000 engine in my 'Wing and stored it in an unheated shed for the winter there was always a tablespoon or so of coolant on top of the engine in the spring but it never leaked when running...
The bike leaked after a week of sitting in a heated basement. I'm going to do both sides while I am at it.

I have a set of about 100 o-rings as well that I use for my other bikes. I'll check to see if I have the correct size. The size is 21.9x2.5. Thanks for the excellent tip on using silicone grease. I wouldn't have thought of that. When I looked at the o-rings they looked brittle so I'm not surprised they leaked.

I'm going to buy the gasket from Honda. Hopefully they're available.
Current Bikes
1969 CB750 Sandcast
1971 CB750K1
1972 CB750K1
1975 CB400F
1975 GL1000 Goldwing
1954 Harley Davidson Panhead
1957 Harley Davidson Panhead
User avatar
Lucien Harpress
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 4077
Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
Location: Michigan

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#10

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Be sure to check the sealing surfaces too for any damage or imperfections. I remember the metal of the cross tubes being shockingly thin, and it wouldn't take much to deform it. The edge is real good at slicing o-rings too, if you're not careful. Don't ask me how I know...
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
redglbx
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1116
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:39 am
Location: NW Indiana,

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#11

Post by redglbx »

PID’s advice on the JIS screw driver is some of the best you’ll get, they work waaaaay better than a common Phillips head that tends to “cam” out and strip the cross out of the screw. Best advice a friend (thanks Ed) ever gave me, they just work better.
Red 1976 oe owner
1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
1981 CBX
1977 CB750 K7
2014 FJR OE owner, sold
1980 GL1100
1984 GL1200 naked
1969 CL350, in the que
Prospect
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2017 11:45 am
Location: Toronto Canada

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#12

Post by Prospect »

I have JIS screw drivers but I don’t have a set of bits for the impact driver. I need to buy a set.
Current Bikes
1969 CB750 Sandcast
1971 CB750K1
1972 CB750K1
1975 CB400F
1975 GL1000 Goldwing
1954 Harley Davidson Panhead
1957 Harley Davidson Panhead
User avatar
flyin900
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 3:50 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#13

Post by flyin900 »

I think PartnMore or Sirus Consolidated sell just the bits with the standard hex back end for the driver tool. Located in Kitchener area, so a little more local than US sellers.
Current Bikes:

1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
User avatar
LuckyEddie
Billet Alum. Member
Billet Alum. Member
Posts: 216
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:42 am
Location: Middleville, MI.

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#14

Post by LuckyEddie »

JIS impact bits
JIS impact bits
IMG_20200917_122900059.jpg (798.63 KiB) Viewed 223 times
I use these in my impact driver. You should be able to find them on Google to aquire some.
LuckyEddie

1978 GL1000 Supercharged (Avitar)
1976 GL1000
1980 XS1100LG
1982 XV750J
1981 XV920RH
User avatar
sickradsean
Chrome Member
Chrome Member
Posts: 163
Joined: Wed May 13, 2015 6:23 pm
Location: portland, or USA

Re: Coolant leak 75'

#15

Post by sickradsean »

Funny that this thread just got posted as I've apparently developed the same issue! I noticed some white smoke coming off the left headers the past few times I've started my bike (while still working through other issues).
Image
I checked and found a small amount of coolant puddled on the top of the engine under #2 carb. Apparently I's been dripping down the outside of the valve cover and onto the headers.
Image
You can see the wet header bolt here. Judging by the amount of gunk under there (you can see where I wiped some off), this has been going on for a while. What I thought was a small exhaust leak and the typical start up smoke, has been coolant all along!
1977 GL1000 "Goldie"
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “GoldWing Tech Discussions”