I Smell Anti-Freeze!

[GIJoeJarhead]

Yesterday was such a nice day, I couldn't let it get by without climbing on my "X" and riding . . . took it to work, out to the Dr's office, went over and grabbed a bite to eat and then back to the house. All in all about 25 - 30 miles, but I noticed when we got to the Pizza joint I smelled anit-freeze . . . that's a new one.
Bike has about 15,400 miles on it, and the only maintenance I have done is change the oil . . . I don't know anything about changing the coolant, or if that may be the issue.
Any ideas? :dontknow:

[battoo]

You probably just need to ck the hoses and tighten them , you may want to park the bike on a clean surface and see if you get any drips , maybe the Waterpump

[GIJoeJarhead]

Waterpump was my second thought . . . I have not noticed any leaks, it stays parked on a concrete slab, but I haven't checked it since last night. I will take a look at it in the AM.

Does the VTX have a thermostat, because that was my first thought? :dontknow:

[GIJoeJarhead]

Chicago-Spike on the VTX Tech site said 95% of the time if you are riding and smell coolant it's because a hose clamp is loose. Leaking/dripping coolant onto the engine and it's burning off, which is why I am not seeing a leak when it's sitting still.
He said the water pump going out will not cause this symptom because it's low, and the coolant would be leaking out the bottom, towards the back and onto the ground . . . and I would not smell it. People riding behind me would not like it, but I wouldn't smell the coolant like I am.

Just some added knowledge about the "X" that I did not know, but I am trying to learn, thought I would pass it along.

Thanks for the knowledge, as always!! :doorag:

[fireman50]

I had the same thing happen to me a few weeks ago. I had been smelling it for a while but didn't pay much attention to it as I was in traffic and thought it could be someone near me. But then I noticed coolant on the right side of the bike near the windshield. Turned out the upper hose needed tightening. I've noticed a hose up under the tank on the left side that needs to be tightened also. It seems to be very common.