[rlc]

I installed an new Outerwear pre-filter yesterday and noticed a few drops of antifreeze on the top of the skidplate.  Appears to be coming from a black tube (overflow I'm guessing) just under the oil filter housing.  I checked the coolant reservoir and it is about 20% full with a cold engine.  I've never noticed the drips before, so is this something that I should be concerned with, or is it a normal thing?  Also, with a cold engine how much coolant shoud there be showing in the reservoir?  Thanks for any information you are willing to share.  Oh yah, it's a 2019 Z800 Trail.

[NMKawierider]

I installed an new Outerwear pre-filter yesterday and noticed a few drops of antifreeze on the top of the skidplate.  Appears to be coming from a black tube (overflow I'm guessing) just under the oil filter housing.  I checked the coolant reservoir and it is about 20% full with a cold engine.  I've never noticed the drips before, so is this something that I should be concerned with, or is it a normal thing?  Also, with a cold engine how much coolant shoud there be showing in the reservoir?  Thanks for any information you are willing to share.

Ok, let's talk about a couple of things. 1.- The mechanical seals on almost 85% of all CFM's water pumps leak to some degree, especially at first. Most of those quit within the first 200 miles of running. That leakage enters the weep chamber and exits that chamber by way of that hose. Let's talk quickly about that weep drain hose. I have talked to CFM about it because as it is, it will not allow the chamber to drain completely as the hose is routed so the end is higher then the chamber. It should be lower like on all other makers...the end should be clipped to the skid plate. As is the contained coolant will ride against the oil and coolant (mechanical) seal on the shaft on either side and mix up any dust and dirt that has entered in the chamber when it was dry. So it's smart to drop that hose and let it drain freely. Let's talk about that leakage. If it doesn't stop in a few hundred miles or so, some...like me, had luck changing the coolant to a better quality coolant like Peak or Prestone 50/50. Mine quit for over 1300 miles then started to drip again. I added an ounce of Prestone water pump lubricant and it quit again. If it doesn't quit you will need a new mechanical seal cause some just never break-in and that will be covered under warranty if still in effect.

Now, lets talk about the recovery bottle. When your system is correct, there is no air gap at the top of the radiator and when heated the coolant expands making some pressure. If the coolant pressure exceeds the cap's limits, it pushes out the extra into that recovery bottle. And as you know when anything cools back to anything above freezing it contracts, and that reduces that pressure. If that reduction goes to a vacuum, then that little silver disk in the center of the radiator cap is pulled down and it then pulls-in coolant from that recovery bottle. Simple but effective...and when the system looses some coolant from a leak...like that seal, when it cools it gets to that vacuum level sooner and pulls more in. Over time the bottle's level drops as it's being used. You...for now MUST keep it full and never allow it to get low enough to pull-in air. It's OK for now to over-fill it cause it's using it. There is a COLD line on the side. Go higher..be about 3/4 inch down from the top..just give it a little room for the hot expansion...it doesn't need much. Check it cold before each ride and fill if needed. Keep it at or above that COLD line.

Hope that answers your questions. 

[rlc]

Thanks NMK.  So, if I've got this straight, drop the black and tie it off to the skidplate, so it faces down rather than having a bend in it.  And, also fill up the expansion resevoir but leave approx. 3/4" for coolant expansion.  Keep an eye on it and if the seal continues to leak, contact dealer.  I purchased this in July, so warranty still exists. 

One other question, if the black tube is straight down will I lose all of my coolant if it continues to leak?  Thanks.

[NMKawierider]

Thanks NMK.  So, if I've got this straight, drop the black and tie it off to the skidplate, so it faces down rather than having a bend in it.  And, also fill up the expansion resevoir but leave approx. 3/4" for coolant expansion.  Keep an eye on it and if the seal continues to leak, contact dealer.  I purchased this in July, so warranty still exists. 

One other question, if the black tube is straight down will I lose all of my coolant if it continues to leak?  Thanks.

Most are not black, they are clear so you can see the green of the coolant in them but if yours is black, yes, the best thing is to allow the chamber to stay drains completely. Its just a small gap between the water pump seal and the oil seal on the drive shaft...and no it won't drain the coolant. Some extra will come out at first because of the chamber draining but that's it. The dealer will tell you it has to stay up but it shouldn't. Mine was one of the earlier ones with just a hole on the bottom..no tube. Yes to the rest.

[rlc]

NMK - I filled the  expansion reservoir, dropped the tube and took it for a ride and ran the temp. gauge up to 3 bars and put it back up on the workbench.  I'll drive it a couple of times tomorrow and see what happens from there.

Thanks for all of your help.  I feel this board is very fortunate to have someone with the knowledge you have to guide us through all of our questions.

[NMKawierider]

You are welcome. Good luck.

[rlc]

I've driven a few times, but the drip continues.  Getting pretty cold here, so will probably load the Z8 onto the trailer and get it ready to pull to Yuma the end of January.  If it gets worse there i'll take it for repairs there.  It's not a bad drip, so I don't think it's a big problem.  Any suggestions?  Should I take it in to my dealer even though it's just a drip?

[NMKawierider]

Just keep the bottle full for now and if it doesn't quit, take it in.

[rlc]

Thanks NMK.  I needed some reassurance.   

[NMKawierider]

Thanks NMK.  I needed some reassurance.   

Good luck. They usually don't get worse unless something happens to the seal. Mine dripped pretty good at first but when I added some "NON-Chinese" coolant it quit. That along with the stories of their coolant jelling cause me to replace all of it. It didn't leak for 1300 miles then it started again. Just a drop once in a while. My father told me when I was young to always add a little water pump lubricant to any coolant change and it will help the seal last many years longer.. so I bought some and put about 1/3 of a cup into the radiator. That stopped that little drip and hasn't sense. This is the stuff I used.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GQ5XC8M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[doug80638]

Removing and replacing the coolant would make a good How-to entry.

This particular string should probably be moved to the Z 800 category. 

[NMKawierider]

Removing and replacing the coolant would make a good How-to entry.

This particular string should probably be moved to the Z 800 category. 

Yeah..good idea. I'll make it so..

[rlc]

As a follow-up, we're back from Yuma and the anti-freeze has stopped dripping from the tube.  Each time I road I'd fill the reservoir with the a high end coolant and eventually the dripping stopped.  The fluid level runs a bit below the cold line, when cold, but hasn't gone lower than that for the last couple of rides.  Temperature guage runs a consistant three bars all day long.  So, for now anyway, using a higher quality anti-freeze has worked.  Currently aroud 900 miles on the Z8 with a few other issues.  Will take in to dealer as soon as "Stay at home order" is lifted.  Thanks again.