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I continue to have a coolant leak where the three hose clamps are connected below the seat on the right side. One was replaced for a better clamp, but the mechanics only tried to tighten the other 2 less accessable ones.
The mechanics are under the impression that in order to replace the 2 back ones, they will need to drain all the radiator fluid-but I do not recall anyone doing that when it was mentioned on this forum.
My question is, if you have replaced yours, how did the OEM ones come off?
And was it possible to do without a huge ordeal? I cannot see where this leak comes from exactly, so I am hoping it is just the hoseclamps and nothing more serious.
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Man, you really need to find a shop that has at least one mechanic that has a clue

To replace the OEM hose clamps, get a big pair of Diagonal Cutters, cut the current hose clamps and put on new screw type hose clamps.

If they can't figure that out, I now understand why you are having so much trouble getting the problems you have fixed.

Wayne B
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I think you have a point there Wayne, it looks like something even I might be able to do ( and might) just didn't want to botch it. Just snip off the head of the old clamp and it comes undone then. The rest just sounds like fumbling and maybe cussing would be involved, but do-able. Thanks.
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The three clamps are really close together and require thinking ahead on how to mount screw clamps so the end of the screw is accessable without interfering with the others. It can be easier removing the hose but you will loose a bunch of fluid. Also be careful as my mechanic told me he has seen people break the connection coming off the pump.
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Hey Rob,

This is an easy fix and doesn't require a ton of work. I did it and really spent more time going back and forth getting just the right clamp sizes(so don't do that part! ).

Basically all I did was this:

1. Take small pan or tray and put under cool bike.
2. Take off ALL THE CLAMPS. I found the OEM ones to be a bugger to try and take off the prescribed way, so I very gently wiggled the hose off the nipple and then squeezed it with my fingers allowing me to simply slide off the total OEM clamp. Much easier and didn't mean poking round rubber clamps with metal tools.
3. This will cause the fluid to drain out. It's not a ton, but enough to get your boots wet if you didn't have a pan.
4. Take these clamps(which if you did it with method #2, they're still in the prescribed diameter) to an auto store and get good screw clamps. I was able to buy a box of the small and box of large for under 10 bux. There's two identical size larger ones and one smaller one fyi.
5. Took it back. To make your life very simple, start with the clamp on the back(the smaller one), and put it over the hose first, just tightening it enough to make a circle. Then put the nipple on, slide the extended clamp down and tighten. Make sure to put the screw head facing to a point where you can easily adjust it with the other two clamps on(in case you need to remove it or adjust it later).
6. This can't be stated enough...DON'T OVERTIGHTEN! Simply make it "snug". About the same tension as say a very tight hand tightening.
7. Repeat with the two larger ones.
8. Open radiator cap and refill with 50/50 fluid mix(which btw you can also get at the auto store premixed).

I'll try some pics, but I'm not sure if I have any up close ones...
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Get a clamp one size bigger than you need makes getting the clamp back together while it's on the hose.

And DO NOT Wiggle the cutters to get through the clamp. I was to use to working on my truck (Nothing on the motor is plastic) and broke one of the nipples off the water pump housing. Luckily the water pump housing is quick to get and cheap.

Wayne B
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It's definitely a DIY job - it's not even that fiddly. You might want to find more clueful mechanics to work on your pride and joy...
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Also, once you cut the old clamp, the hose will begin to weep coolant, but it looks like you already have that. Just don't break the connection to the pump and it wont be to bad.

... I wasn't able to cut my old clamps, so I just smashed the crimp point with a pair of pliers and pealed them off.
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Wayne B wrote:
Get a clamp one size bigger than you need makes getting the clamp back together while it's on the hose.

And DO NOT Wiggle the cutters to get through the clamp. I was to use to working on my truck (Nothing on the motor is plastic) and broke one of the nipples off the water pump housing. Luckily the water pump housing is quick to get and cheap.

Wayne B
I agree completely, but perhaps my method was misinterpreted. I would never wiggle cutters on a rubber clamp. But I've found that the OEM ones are so crappy(and perhaps this explains so many leaks), that I was able to simply put my thumb and index finger on the OEM clamp and my other thumb and index finger on the bottom of the rubber hose and gently work the entire assembly up and off the nipple. Once off, the rubber hose can be squeezed and easily slide the whole clamp off without ever picking up a tool. I tried using several DIY tools on the first clamp, but my method came out of necessity because I was afraid of cutting/puncturing the rubber. It's a bit like taking the stockings off a large fat girl(don't ask me how I know ), but it can be gently done with no damage risk to the cheap"ahem" nipple.
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Second option is to use a dremel tool to cut through the clamp.

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The easy way to get the clamps off...

You will need:
A penknife (Swiss Army knife, whatever)
Long-nosed pliers.

Get the knife blade between the overlap on the clamp, and open this up enough to grip it with the pliers.
Peel the clamp open with the pliers, like an old-fashioned sardine can with a 'key'.

I've done loads of these now (just done all of them on the GP800) and it's very quick and easy. Often the clamp opens up without the need for the pliers!
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jimc wrote:
The easy way to get the clamps off...

You will need:
A penknife (Swiss Army knife, whatever)
Long-nosed pliers.

Get the knife blade between the overlap on the clamp, and open this up enough to grip it with the pliers.
Peel the clamp open with the pliers, like an old-fashioned sardine can with a 'key'.

I've done loads of these now (just done all of them on the GP800) and it's very quick and easy. Often the clamp opens up without the need for the pliers!
I tried this with my pliers(which are el cheapo to be sure), and they just kept twisting like in a "crossed fingers" pattern! Make sure you have good quality tools if you try this. My purchase of a good set of tools came shortly after this project and I haven't regretted it yet...
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Thanks, all the experience here keeps me from making the same mistakes you have sometimes made--thanks tons for that.
My mechanics are competent guys, BUT they are not terribly motivated seeing that I have paid for a 2 year extended warrantee, so if they don't HAVE to fix something it can be hard to convince them to bother with it.
They come through on most things, but...

Still, I am way on top of the money thing with the extended warrantee.
So, maybe off to the garage now with all this good info.
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Fuzzy wrote:
Also be careful as my mechanic told me he has seen people break the connection coming off the pump.
How could someone do that? They must be really stupid OR maybe just really strong, yeah really strong

Wayne B
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Wayne B wrote:
Fuzzy wrote:
Also be careful as my mechanic told me he has seen people break the connection coming off the pump.
How could someone do that? They must be really stupid OR maybe just really strong, yeah really strong

Wayne B
Look at luthorhuss's pictures. It is plastic the hoses are attached to. Probably didn't have Luthorhuss's experience with stockings.

Bottom line my mechanic said he had seen it happen. I belive him and thus belive it can be done. Sorry if the caution upsets you, but not everyone on this forum has lots of mechanical experience.
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OK! If I can do this ( with the help of a friend) then anyone can.
No cussing was even necessary, though getting the back one off was fumblesome. We left the hoses on, and got the clamps off and on OK.
The small hose appeared to be the main culprit BUT, it was still leaking.
It seemed a couple of the six hex bolts around the black housing were in need of a little tightening, so far so good, and will keep an eye on it.
Thanks again for the help everyone.
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Rob In Denver wrote:
OK! If I can do this ( with the help of a friend) then anyone can.
No cussing was even necessary, though getting the back one off was fumblesome. We left the hoses on, and got the clamps off and on OK.
Well done.
Quote:
The small hose appeared to be the main culprit BUT, it was still leaking.
It seemed a couple of the six hex bolts around the black housing were in need of a little tightening, so far so good, and will keep an eye on it.
Thanks again for the help everyone.
Keep an eye on that weep - it may just be something else - but hopefully isn't. I had to nip mine up, all is good.
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Fuzzy wrote:
Wayne B wrote:
Fuzzy wrote:
Also be careful as my mechanic told me he has seen people break the connection coming off the pump.
How could someone do that? They must be really stupid OR maybe just really strong, yeah really strong

Wayne B
Look at luthorhuss's pictures. It is plastic the hoses are attached to. Probably didn't have Luthorhuss's experience with stockings.

Bottom line my mechanic said he had seen it happen. I belive him and thus belive it can be done. Sorry if the caution upsets you, but not everyone on this forum has lots of mechanical experience.
You didn't get my sarcasm. I broke one of mine off, as I posted above

Wayne B
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jimc wrote:
Rob In Denver wrote:
OK! If I can do this ( with the help of a friend) then anyone can.
No cussing was even necessary, though getting the back one off was fumblesome. We left the hoses on, and got the clamps off and on OK.
Well done.
Quote:
The small hose appeared to be the main culprit BUT, it was still leaking.
It seemed a couple of the six hex bolts around the black housing were in need of a little tightening, so far so good, and will keep an eye on it.
Thanks again for the help everyone.
Keep an eye on that weep - it may just be something else - but hopefully isn't. I had to nip mine up, all is good.
Great job Rob! BTW, very important while we're on the subject. I'm hesitant to mention it given your mechanic's slight ineptitude being mentioned...but someone on here(actually a couple of folks if I remember right) mentioned that the leak can come from faulty/leaky clamps but can also be the first sign of a faulty water pump problem. They said their tech checked it out and sure enough their water pump was about to go kaput. I'll try and dig and find that article...just something to mention to your shop and see if they can check it while warranty is still up and strong...
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The bad case here will be the ceramic seal - but that is unusual although not unknown - several here have suffered.
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Well, not sure what to look for as far as ceramic seals and water pumps, but assume continuing leaking? If there are any other things to pay attention to, please advise! Hoping it is good, or at least goes out before my warrantee is up in a few months!
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Rob In Denver wrote:
Well, not sure what to look for as far as ceramic seals and water pumps, but assume continuing leaking? If there are any other things to pay attention to, please advise! Hoping it is good, or at least goes out before my warrantee is up in a few months!
Found em...

https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic39593?highlight=water+pump

https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic39082?highlight=water+pump
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