Leaking crossover coolant pipe
- rrod1393
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2018 3:56 pm
- Location: Freehold, NJ
- Motorcycle: 1985 GL1200 Interstate
2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic
Leaking crossover coolant pipe
I am working on a friend's GL1500 who bent the valve... The valve is fixed and I put the head back on the engine. Engine runs fine now. Once I put coolant in it, I noticed a leak coming from the head. Traced it back to the left crossover coolant pipe. It has got to be the o-ring that sits in the head. It must have not seated properly when I put the head on. Is there a easier way to pull the pipe off than removing the head again? Any advice is welcomed.
Re: Leaking crossover coolant pipe
You're not gonna like this answer...
As far as I know, there isn't an EZ way to fix this o-ring leak.
I haven't taken a 1500 head off, yet, so I can't answer which is easier.
Saving cost.
Remove the carbs and leaking side intake, R&R the o-ring.
Vaseline for lube on ring & the port it's going to. I successfully reused the metal intake gasket by dabbing Permatex #2 on both sides. Dabbing is like printing, press straight on & straight off, this leaves a fairly equal amount over the surface. This R&R WILL test your patience, space is extremely limited! I used 2 sets of very long needle nose pliers and it felt like I was a surgeon.
You're torn down this far, how is the other side? There's 4 O-rings total.
Possible PLUS! Doing this job this way you get to check all the vac lines and cleanup the motors top deck. I found 2 sockets & 3 fasteners.
Experience.
Remove the head again, you're already familiar with the procedure & cost.
Mark the depth on the water pipe as to how deep it has to go to be seated. Frustration will cause you to think it's good enough.
I ALREADY FEEL FOR YOU, been there. Hopefully it's not 98*F... that's when I had to do it.
GOOD LUCK!!!
.
.
As far as I know, there isn't an EZ way to fix this o-ring leak.
I haven't taken a 1500 head off, yet, so I can't answer which is easier.
Saving cost.
Remove the carbs and leaking side intake, R&R the o-ring.
Vaseline for lube on ring & the port it's going to. I successfully reused the metal intake gasket by dabbing Permatex #2 on both sides. Dabbing is like printing, press straight on & straight off, this leaves a fairly equal amount over the surface. This R&R WILL test your patience, space is extremely limited! I used 2 sets of very long needle nose pliers and it felt like I was a surgeon.
You're torn down this far, how is the other side? There's 4 O-rings total.
Possible PLUS! Doing this job this way you get to check all the vac lines and cleanup the motors top deck. I found 2 sockets & 3 fasteners.
Experience.
Remove the head again, you're already familiar with the procedure & cost.
Mark the depth on the water pipe as to how deep it has to go to be seated. Frustration will cause you to think it's good enough.
I ALREADY FEEL FOR YOU, been there. Hopefully it's not 98*F... that's when I had to do it.

.
.
I'm hounded for posting helpful solutions? ARGO!!! (2012 film)
"Let's see how long this round will last."
"Let's see how long this round will last."
- rrod1393
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2018 3:56 pm
- Location: Freehold, NJ
- Motorcycle: 1985 GL1200 Interstate
2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic
Re: Leaking crossover coolant pipe
Thanks for the reply. Ended up pulling the head off.... But not before pulling the intake manifold of which means pulling the carbs.... Total waste of time. Seems to be all good now.
- rrod1393
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2018 3:56 pm
- Location: Freehold, NJ
- Motorcycle: 1985 GL1200 Interstate
2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic
Re: Leaking crossover coolant pipe
And its leaking avai. Does anyone know the part number or have a link to where I can find a replacement oring? Much appreciated.
Re: Leaking crossover coolant pipe
I know of these, I did not go deep into part number differences. Your year may be different part numbers.
Parts #25 #26
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda ... water-pipe
Parts #25 #26
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda ... water-pipe
It is good we have dreams, for if they were real, most would not be alive.
Smile for yourself next time you wake up, you have another fine day to live.
Smile for yourself next time you wake up, you have another fine day to live.