Contaminated coolant

[2 Stroke Screamer]

How ya going guys I'm new to the forum so I hope I've posted this in the right section. I have a 2001 Banshee that is getting a black gritty sludge in the coolant system and I'm wondering where it's coming from it's not losing any coolant at all and it isn't overheating and otherwise it's running sweet. I've been thinking about it for a while and the only thing that I can think it could possibly be is a leak in the head gasket between the cylinder and the water jacket causing carbon and other impurities to be transferred into the coolant system. Other than that this problem has got me stumped so I would appreciate any ideas or suggestions that you may have thanks :-)

[someone82]

You could be right, do a leak-down test on the motor and take the radiator cap off. If you see bubbles and your motor fails the leak down test; you might have a blown head gasket or one of the plugs at the bottom of the cylinder failed along with the base gasket.

 

Or I've seen this happen in cars, your radiator hoses might be failing.

[Larry's Shee]

Welcome to BHQ !! A leak from combustion would have different symtoms. I would drain coolant, remove hose from radiator and head. flush rad & engine forwards and reverse with garden hose, also remove drain plugs from bottomside of cyls. Little 10mm bolts ,don't loose copper washer.Might also pull waterpump apart and inspect it good. The grit may be some foundry sand that finally came loose or it could be some built up contaminants from wrong coolant ( tap water) and/or lack of maintainance.I'll put $1 on little chunk of foundry sand from casting process. JMHO, your results may vary.

[AKheathen]

rotting hoses will leave the "gritty" rubber media. unless it actually lloks like sand, it's just rubber. it could also be some grinding from your impellar. hose-onlymedia will be gritty balls, and also resemble thick, sticky sludge when you squish/smear it. start with a water flush, then chemical, which you can get from wal-mart or anywhere, even some gas stations. then rip the hoses off for replacement, and check out the impellar. in the future, make sure the coolant is serviced before the max life span, which is usually 3 years normal, and 2 hard service for conventional. if you don't mind the cost, silicone hose would be an awesome choice, and not rot like that. don't forget to check the cap and smaller hoses.

[2 Stroke Screamer]

rotting hoses will leave the "gritty" rubber media. unless it actually lloks like sand, it's just rubber. it could also be some grinding from your impellar. hose-onlymedia will be gritty balls, and also resemble thick, sticky sludge when you squish/smear it. start with a water flush, then chemical, which you can get from wal-mart or anywhere, even some gas stations. then rip the hoses off for replacement, and check out the impellar. in the future, make sure the coolant is serviced before the max life span, which is usually 3 years normal, and 2 hard service for conventional. if you don't mind the cost, silicone hose would be an awesome choice, and not rot like that. don't forget to check the cap and smaller hoses.

 

 

You might be onto something there with those hoses as they are the same age as the bike and it does have the gritty balls and sticky squishy sludge happening. The bike is serviced regularly including coolant ( probably over serviced but that wont hurt it ) and the impellor, seal and bearing have all been replaced recently. Just out of interest where do you get silicone hoses for a banshee does anyone mould them to suit. thanks for that!!

[AKheathen]

well, here is a link to a sit that prssantana had.....kinda steep, imo, but looks high quality formed hose, and purple is 1/2 off, lol....

http://www.cvproducts.com/Powersports/Products/Cooling/Silicone%20Hose%20Kits/Products.aspx?1=Powersports&2=Cooling&Name=Silicone+Hose+Kits

[2 Stroke Screamer]

well, here is a link to a sit that prssantana had.....kinda steep, imo, but looks high quality formed hose, and purple is 1/2 off, lol....

http://www.cvproducts.com/Powersports/Products/Cooling/Silicone%20Hose%20Kits/Products.aspx?1=Powersports&2=Cooling&Name=Silicone+Hose+Kits

 

Thanks for that like the half price hoses pity it's purple though lol!