fifth
Expert Class
The Magnificent Bastard
Posts: 303
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posted July 27, 2008 06:33 PM
 Edited By: fifth on 27 Jul 2008 19:42
Freaking out right now....
Got up this morning and cleaned/dried the bike. Checked my air pressure and fluid levels. Cranked the bike and pulled out to ride. Drove 7 miles in 106 degree heat...mostly 40-60mph riding during that time. Parked the bike, went in to eat before cranking the bike back up about 45 minutes later. Drove another 5 miles at 40 mph and parked it at a friends house for about 1 hour. Cranked it back up and rode about a 25 miles trip at 70-80 mph. Parked it at store to get something to drink and cool off. After about 30 minutes, cranked the bike back up and drove back to my house (about 25 miles at 70 mph).
Each time parking the bike and returning to it, I did not notice anything out of the ordinary, and I am anal about my bike, as most probably are.
When I parked the bike at my house, I went in for a sec and returned outside to wipe the bike down and lube the chain. What I saw damn near gave me a heart attack.......
(posted large pics for detail)
I have not torn the fairings off yet, and will probably wait until tomorrow evening to start that. My first thought was oil/water mixed to make the white substance. I touched the white stuff on the bike and it was a powder. Almost like dried turtle wax spattered all over everything.
I did look at my oil in the inspection window and it is clean and clear (changed it 500 miles ago) I restarted the bike (no abnormal noises) and the oil did not change appearance.
I never had a clue anything was up with the bike....except I thought I smelled a hot bike about 1/2 mile from the house. My temp gauge never blinked hot, and it never got to the second to the last bar. And when I smelled the "hot" smell, I double check the gauge and looked down at the bike, didn't see anything. I didn't even have anything on my jeans.
Anybody encounter anything similar to this and what ended up being the problem. I have a 4 year unlimited mile warranty on the bike, so I am not worried about that end of it, but none-the-less, I am worried about my bike.
Any input would be appreciated.
   
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johnsonzx14
Expert Class
Posts: 487
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posted July 27, 2008 06:47 PM
I had a little of that white stuff on mine in a few spots but nothing like that.. I just figured mine was from when I drained all the coolant and put new in, I know when I did it, that I got the stuff all over while trying to empty all of it.. I think that dries a whiteish color.. I assumed that is what it was, and havent had a problem since... SO I hope its just one of your hoses or something......... Wishfull thinking!!!!
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madboost
Expert Class
Posts: 187
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posted July 27, 2008 06:53 PM
check coolant level in radiator, hopfully its not a blown headgasket where exhaustis pressurizing your system and blowing out cooland from under the radiator cap
____________
08 zx14-with a few things.
94z28 383,TH400,YSI,9",DFI and much more
9.44@144 w 1.5060ft
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fifth
Expert Class
The Magnificent Bastard
Posts: 303
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posted July 27, 2008 06:59 PM
I didn't see any white stuff coming from the top area near the radiator cap. It seems to have been mostly around the fan and piston sleeves. Hell, it was even on the front of the radiator in the center....almost like I ran over some white water and it was thrown up into the radiator, but everything around here was bone dry
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ninjaboy311
Zone Head
Posts: 940
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posted July 27, 2008 07:38 PM
Looks like dried antifreeze from maybe a loose hose clamp or a pinhole in a hose or a pinhole in your radiator. Since it got on the front of the radiator I would look for dented fins where maybe a rock poked a hole in your radiator. Antifreeze is slick, good thing it didn't get on your back tire.
I had a hose come loose on my old EX-500 back in 1996 and it looked just like that after it dried. Flaked away like powder when you touch it.
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fifth
Expert Class
The Magnificent Bastard
Posts: 303
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posted July 27, 2008 07:46 PM
I am hoping it is a hose and got on the front park of the radiator when I slowed down...the fins are slopped forward....and then came back through the fins when I sped back up.....who knows....ARGH!!!! I hate having a bike that is gonna be down. I am being punished for being bad in abother life....lol
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted July 27, 2008 07:51 PM
Start the bike , let it idle up to temp, check for leak.
I picked up a rock 2 years ago with mine and it put a hole in the rad.
These bikes need rad gaurds.
I bought a cox racing guard , never to have the same issue again.
____________
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destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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ninjaboy311
Zone Head
Posts: 940
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posted July 27, 2008 08:28 PM
quote:
These bikes need rad gaurds.
I bought a cox racing guard , never to have the same issue again.
X2
I have a Cox radiator guard myself. Just from drag racing on the track, my radiator was getting all dinged up. Sure didn't need coolant getting on my tires at 150 MPH.
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ninjavin
Expert Class
Posts: 102
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posted July 28, 2008 06:02 AM
Bro, keep us posted on what ya found.
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StrokedOutZX14
Novice Class
Saving for a turbo by tax time
Posts: 55
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posted July 28, 2008 07:24 AM
wow, never seen that before. scary
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07 ZX14 Stroked to 1530cc
Muzzy 5mm Stroker Crank, 86mm JE Pistons, Carillo Connecting Rods, Muzzy Billet Cams, Muzzy Valve Springs, Rings, Pins, Clips.
Muzzy M10 Exhaust
K&N Air Filter
Power Commander 3 With Ignition Module.
Secondaries Removed
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted July 28, 2008 09:19 AM
do like dubious said fire it up let it get warm and look for the leak. probably a hose or at worst a pinhole in the radiator, is your antifreeze level down?
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2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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billeason
Zone Head
Posts: 711
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posted July 28, 2008 10:41 AM
Unfortunetly it looks like a radiator leak,hope im wrong and its just a hose. These bikes really need a rad gaurd. I have replaced three since the 14's came out. The reason i say i hope its not the rad;is the replacement cost,they cost me over 400.00 dollars....... Bill.....
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bill eason
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ratbyk
Expert Class
Posts: 179
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posted July 28, 2008 03:33 PM
I would almost guess that it is white line paint or similar thrown up from the road. It is right in line with the front tire. I know I have ran on wet gravel a couple of times and had a stain just like that in the same area (only in a Brown/grey color).
To check it properly get a pressure test done on the cooling system. Or simply make sure your levels are full and keep an eye on it for the next couple of outings.
Best of luck.
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted July 28, 2008 03:49 PM
i thought of chit in the road too but he didn't mention anything around the rear of the bike, just the rad and such
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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fifth
Expert Class
The Magnificent Bastard
Posts: 303
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posted July 28, 2008 03:53 PM
*(*%#(_% ROCKS!!!!!!!! I HATE ROCKS!!!!!
especially in my radiator.....(@#*$@$$!!!!!
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smokinzx14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted July 28, 2008 04:41 PM
Here is a Rad for you ...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KAWASAKI-06-ZX-14-ZX14-Radiator-8b_W0QQitemZ170243627769QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170243627769&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318
____________
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Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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fifth
Expert Class
The Magnificent Bastard
Posts: 303
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posted July 28, 2008 05:42 PM
that one has a leak too. mine is a small leak and it can be fixed......just gotta find a radiator shop.....
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ratbyk
Expert Class
Posts: 179
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posted July 28, 2008 06:11 PM
I guess it was a rock that got thrown up and not line paint. Pain in the ass shit like that.
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted July 28, 2008 06:29 PM
well it sucks but it beats a motor problem. makes me wanna get a guard for mine. let us know what you do.
____________
2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted July 28, 2008 07:33 PM
New radiator from Kawasaki is about $ 550.00
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*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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fifth
Expert Class
The Magnificent Bastard
Posts: 303
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posted July 28, 2008 07:56 PM
Edited By: fifth on 28 Jul 2008 21:01
quote:
New radiator from Kawasaki is about $ 550.00
fixed radiator from local shop.....$40 
and I will be ordering a cox radiator guard very shortly.....
anybody know of any problems refilling the radiator?? i.e. air trapped in the top of the motor, etc??
and what is the best formula for the Water Wetter solution when refilling the radiator?? water+wetter? water+anti-freeze+wetter??
and is there any radiator mods that can be done to improve heat transfer, since I have the radiator removed already??
oh, and just FYI, I re-filled the radiator prior to removing it. I ran the bike until it got warm. As pressure built, water started trickling out the spot where the rock bent the tube. When I drained the radiator, the water that came out was a really bright, bright green. It appeared to have had a lot of antifreeze left in the bike as opposed to clear water coming out. The bike sounded the same as it did before this problem, so I am pretty confident that the rock happened closed to the house and nothing is damaged in the motor. WHEW!!!!!!
note to self: BUY A RADIATOR GUARD.
note to everyone else: BUY A RADIATOR GUARD.
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ninjaboy311
Zone Head
Posts: 940
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posted July 28, 2008 08:11 PM
quote:
note to self: BUY A RADIATOR GUARD.
note to everyone else: BUY A RADIATOR GUARD.
Worth every penny!!!
____________
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Schnitz Racing Sponsored Rider
8.74 @ 152 on stock motor and MR9 (Muzzy Powered), 205 lbs suited
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northmedic
Expert Class
Posts: 384
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posted July 28, 2008 09:28 PM
My rad leaked from the lower left rad tube where it is crimped into the tank had the same splatter as your pics show
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I,ll be right back
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ratbyk
Expert Class
Posts: 179
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posted July 30, 2008 09:28 AM
Question: Anyone who has installed one of these radiator guards, have you noticed any increase in coolant temps compared before/after?
Looking at pics of the guard available it appears to me that it would restrict air flow. As the 14 already runs on the "HOT" side in most cases. Just wondering if in protecting the rad we increase engine vulnerability from over heating.
Thanks
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted July 30, 2008 10:01 AM
Yeah I was wondering the same thing ratbyk, its why I havent bought one yet.
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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