I seem to have a slow coolant leak coming from the cylinder base gasket. Not the head gasket, but the one below it connecting the jug to the bottom end. The bike has a bit of foul-smelling white smoke when it's cold, but there doesn't seem to be a leak from the head gasket. Is it that important to go through the trouble of pulling and tearing down the engine for the base gasket? or am I safe to keep riding it for the season? thanks.
Some have gotten by letting it leak a while, but it's never good. Antifreeze is hard on bearings, and burning coolant reduces lubrication on the cylinder walls.
Some will only leak when cold. Keep an eye on the oil.
Be certain it’s not coming from the o-ring above it at the coolant hose going into the head. Gravity is a funny thing and the coolant tends to ride the inside of the fins down so it isn’t obvious.
The Vulcan 750 base gaskets are very flimsy. Only about a 1/16" between the coolant passages and edge of the cylinder. If it is leaking coolant into the oil, it needs to be fixed. Coolant and oil mixed together make glue. Not only does it not lubricate well, but it plugs everything up.
I should be able to tell if it's mixing with the oil by looking through the sight glass, right? Or is this something I need to drain the oil for?
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