Can't help with the leak. A pressure test is not a HIGH Pressure test. They plug the open holes and put a low air pressure in it. Probably no more than what pressure the pressure cap is rated for. Put it under water and check it for leaks like checking a tire. If there is any kind of leak at all, it will show bubbles. Often the repair is not expensive.

 

Yep, rad shops pressure test virtually every rad they receive, to check for leaks. Lots of car rads are plastic and aluminum. I believe the Burgman rads are all aluminum. Let the rad shop test it.

 

Pressure testing is a great diagnostic tool. They pressurize to less than the radiator is built to withstand.
I think it's only a couple psi. necessary to generate a leak.

 

It doesn't seem to leak when running around town, just when she cools down.... I'm waiting until Tuesday to come to get a complete diagnosis...

 

It doesn't seem to leak when running around town, just when she cools down..

Then Just Keep Riding

Seriously though,

Has the level been changing a lot ?

Is it possible the stone you hit, cracked some Alum, where the hose mounts ?

Sounds like maybe an over flow issue, or bad cap.

Let us know what you find.

 

The radiator is new... installed it in May. Can't see any damage from a rock or anything similar. I'll keep you in the news as I get it... 8)

 

Can you physically see a leak? I don't understand why it would only leak when cold. When at operating temp, the cooling system gets pressurized and should be more apt to leak. Since radiator was changed, are you certain that the hose connections are tight? Just some thoughts.

 

I once had a coolant leak on another bike that drove me crazy, in the end it ended up being a small crack in one of the auxiliary hoses that had been nicked while doing some maintenance. The trick with coolant leaks is that they can appear and disappear depending on the coolant temp and and where the leaking piece is located. I finally was able to find it by doing a bunch of cold startups and examining all the coolant tubing.

If you radiator isn't leaking at the connection points for the main hoses, spend a bit of time inspecting the rest of the hoses, one of them is either loose or has a crack in it.

Good luck...

 

Status update: Waiting for Suzuki to send another new one so I can get back on the road. My dealer and I will fight with them to warranty the one that was installed in May... Radiator shops won't touch anything that small and such delicate tubes... 8)

 

Most full service radiator shops can and do test and repair small delicate radiators including small heater cores. Was it the Suzuki shop or the rad shop that told you that? If warranty, even better with a brand new radiator. Hopefully soon.

 

Well, I got Inga back. She has a another new radiator... All appearances indicate that it was defective from the factory and had been leaking since installation.
My dealer charged me nothing and will work to get Suzuki to stand behind it. If they won't, we will work out a deal that will be fair to both of us. 8)

She runs fine. I'm to ride it like normal and take it back to them after a couple of hundred miles to check it. I plan on doing some riding before Ike comes to visit tomorrow or Saturday. 8)

 

Glad to hear you are back in the saddle. If it was defective from the factory then Suzuki needs to eat it period. No reason for you or the dealer to have to put up with their guff.

 

I would let the dealer be the one to take care of this. You paid the dealer for a new radiator and a new radiator should not leak. The dealer is in a much better position to get credit from Suzuki one way or another. He will get the credit and you feel good about the dealer. Everyone wins except Suzuki and it will probably be a break even deal for them with their mark ups.

Glad you got your ride back but why are you sending Ike our way?

 

Update on the leak.... I found out today from the service manager that when the tech installed the new radiator, he apparently didn't get a clip or bracket in right which caused a rubbing on the radiator that caused it to leak. It was replaced at the tech's expense.

I've got mixed emotions... I am glad that there wasn't a problem with Suzuki's parts department, but am saddened that the tech (who is a great guy and a fairly good tech from what I can tell) simply made a mistake and has to pay for it. On one hand, some would say that I shouldn't feel bad for him, it was his mistake, but we all make mistakes! It could happen to anyone. He didn't say anything to me about it, nor did the dealership owner (who is one of my best friends), so I'm thinking the Service Manager handled it and it is a done deal.

I guess this turns the page on this chapter...

 

It doesn't supprise me that the tech had to eat the cost. It's no different than the kid down at the fast food joint that runs the register. If it comes up short he/she has to make up the difference. The tech can probably afford it a lot more than the kid can.. Besides, it's a good way to encourage him to take more care in his work.

 

I think it's unfortunate that the owner holds the techs responsible for any issues they create. The tech is making the dealer good money on the repairs he does and unless he's a bad tech anyway, some things will invariably happen during the course of normal repairs. I own a music store and have never held any of the repair techs responsible because a mistake was made. That's pretty low on the part of the owner as far as I'm concerned.

 

I had a service business and the techs I had did not have to pay if they damaged a part. I figured it was a part of doing business. Techs do have to learn and do make mistakes in the process but hopefully not the same mistake more than once. The techs that are more experienced and did better work were also paid more. I also often charged the customer less time than the full time and materials rate when a less experienced tech took longer than expected to do a particular repair. I did have to terminate some techs if their work continued to be substandard and it was apparent that no amount of training would make the tech an asset to my organization. I don't feel the owner of that dealership should have made the tech pay if in fact he did. That kind of practice could cause the techs to try and cover up their mistakes at the customers expense and when later discovered could lead to a dissatisfied customer. The customer is the life blood of any organization.