[BaileyMan]

2011 / Gen 2 650 with 50k miles.

I've got a bit of a leak near the water pump and I think it's oil, but not sure. Not 100% sure where it's coming from, but it might be the circled bolt in the pic. I can't for the life of me find it on any parts diagrams or in the service manual.

I know it's not the main oil drain bolt, but is it some type of oil drain bolt?

I should mention that I had to do some work on the cooling system a few years ago and replace some things, including the water pump housing (p/n 13227) and water pump housing mechanical seal (p/n 49063) found here 2011 Kawasaki VERSYS (KLE650CBF) Water Pump | GenuineKawasakiParts.com

It's possible the mechanical seal is leaking. I actually have a spare one, but want to be able to rule it in or out first if I can.

Maybe I need to replace the gaskets for the water pump housing?

Trying to approach this methodically rather than throw the parts canon at it...

The circled bolt is the one in question. Maybe I just need a new bolt?

Your thoughts / guidance?

 

[Lightning44]

I can't tell from your photo, but there is a weep hole down on the bottom of the water pump housing that is a pretty common leak point on these motors when the gaskets in the water pump go bad. If my memory serves, they can leak coolant or oil depending on what seal has failed. You might do a quick forum search for water pump weep hole leak and compare what you are seeing to the photos from other riders.

 

[BaileyMan]

I'll check the weep hole and search for posts for comparison. I definitely had a leak from there in the past.

In the photo the weep hole is above the circled bolt at about 11 o'clock. I'll run the engine a bit and warm it and see if I notice anything.

 

[Lightning44]

A quick glance through the service manual didn't identify that bolt as anything special other than possibly an oil pan retaining bolt. So you could have a bad oil pan gasket or maybe it just needs to be retorqued?

 

[BaileyMan]

A quick glance through the service manual didn't identify that bolt as anything special other than possibly an oil pan retaining bolt. So you could have a bad oil pan gasket or maybe it just needs to be retorqued?

Torque is ok.
I'm about 98% sure it's not leaking from the oil pan. Definitely seems to be coming from the water pump.
the bolt in question is towards the front and higher up from the oil pan.

It may be from the oil filter. She's definitely ready for an oil change.

I just ran it for about 10 or 15 minutes. Didn't see any drips showing up. But the fan didn't come on.

When I have some time and we get a break in the rain, I'll take her for a quick spin and see what shows up.

 

[AmbientMoto]

Had the same issue last year; changed gaskets and a few other bits whilst it was apart:

Water Pump -V650-Mechanical Seal // Water Pump weep hole...

Was looking my water pump over today; I've noticed a few drops here and there. Ordered a gasket but was looking in the FSM. On page 4-11 I was reading about mechanical seal failure and this appears to show all the signs of such; the coolant is coming from the "drainage outlet passage". So it...

www.kawasakiversys.com

 

[BaileyMan]

Had the same issue last year; changed gaskets and a few other bits whilst it was apart:

Water Pump -V650-Mechanical Seal // Water Pump weep hole...

Was looking my water pump over today; I've noticed a few drops here and there. Ordered a gasket but was looking in the FSM. On page 4-11 I was reading about mechanical seal failure and this appears to show all the signs of such; the coolant is coming from the "drainage outlet passage". So it...

www.kawasakiversys.com

Thanks for the link. Yeah. I had to replace mine a few years ago, along with the stator and radiator fan. It's possible that the mechanical seal has failed again, but it's also possible that it's a few other things.

On a maybe unrelated note, my right fork seals are leaking pretty bad. I wonder if what I'm seeing is actually fork oil that's getting blown back onto this water pump area.

I'm getting the forks rebuilt hopefully this week. I'll also change the oil and filter. I'll find out if that bolt is some type of drain bolt.

I'll know more soon.

 

[arknt]

My guess on the bolt is that it is a crankcase bolt that connects upper & lower. Kind of going from the location and size (diameter) of the bolt head.
Oil leaks do migrate around and can be tough to identify the source. You may be correct if you have a pretty good fork leak.
Good luck.

Arknt

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

Use SEARCH function, and my name. I fixed a leak in my water-pump on the '08 here in AZ, and posted the results.

 

[jaaklucas]

Like Ed says. Wipe the area with a paper towel and come back and see where its leaking. Most likely its the water pump weep hole not the bolt. You have to replace the seals inside the water pump.

 

[BaileyMan]

Like Ed says. Wipe the area with a paper towel and come back and see where its leaking. Most likely its the water pump weep hole not the bolt. You have to replace the seals inside the water pump.

No leaks observed yet, but I haven’t been able to take her for a spin. I'm bringing the forks in to get serviced tomorrow. The right one is leaking pretty badly. Once that's done I'll take her for a spin and report back back...

 

[Slower and Slower]

IF it's coolant leak, shouldn't there be some dried up inhibitor stains ?
Look's oil from the shine on the paint. The circled bolt head has been removed or done up in the past as there are marks from a 6 sided socket on the head faces.

Rob.

 

[jaaklucas]

IF it's coolant leak, shouldn't there be some dried up inhibitor stains ?
Look's oil from the shine on the paint.

In the water pump housing there is an oil seal and the mechanical coolant seal with a well between them that drains both out the weep hole if they are corrupt to prevent contamination either way. Better to replace both while your in there.

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

Try this link:

Chasing down an oil-leak in my '08

I've been finding oil drops under my bike for the last few weeks. I removed the plastic lower guards to have a look. Lower area up to about 3/4 of the height of the water-pump area was wet, and oil was present underneath the sump, etc. Wiped it off and got sockets to check for anything loose...

www.kawasakiversys.com

 

[BaileyMan]

Try this link:

Chasing down an oil-leak in my '08

I've been finding oil drops under my bike for the last few weeks. I removed the plastic lower guards to have a look. Lower area up to about 3/4 of the height of the water-pump area was wet, and oil was present underneath the sump, etc. Wiped it off and got sockets to check for anything loose...

www.kawasakiversys.com

Yeah. I gotta replace that oil seal. It's a super tiny leak, but it bugs me.

I've actually already got either the oil seal or the mechanical seal (maybe both) already. I like to put new gaskets in too so gotta make sure I've got all the right stuff before diving in.

 

[BaileyMan]

Finally got around to ordering all the replacement parts needed for this job. All the rain we're getting here in Northern California makes it a good time to get the work done. It'll be nice to have it done when we finally get a little warmth and sun out here.

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

BaileyMan - GOOD LUCK w/ the possible flooding they spoke about on the news [here in PHX area]...!

 

[jaaklucas]

oil seal or the mechanical seal

Definetly do both at the same time while you are in there. Pay attention to the placement pins when you take the housing apart, one of mine was loose and it dropped. The mechanical seal..I ordered my parts from the dealer and I took the plate with the mechanical seal in when I picked the parts up and they took the old one out and installed the new one for me for free. In case youre nervous about doing the mechanical seal.

 

[BaileyMan]

Definetly do both at the same time while you are in there. Pay attention to the placement pins when you take the housing apart, one of mine was loose and it dropped. The mechanical seal..I ordered my parts from the dealer and I took the plate with the mechanical seal in when I picked the parts up and they took the old one out and installed the new one for me for free. In case youre nervous about doing the mechanical seal.

Definitely doing both. I actually had to replace the mechanical seal a few years ago, and I ended up with a spare new set. I also purchased the driver for installing the seal, so I should be good to go! I'll definitely keep my local shop in mind for this task. They've been great for things like this.

 

[jaaklucas]

good to go

And there should be an another small rubber and plastic sealin the kit for the back of the impeller where it mates with the mechanical seal.