2006 Apex Coolant Leak

[DJ Hennessy]

Hi,

Got a few issues with my new used sled... latest is a small coolant leak I've noticed coming from the rear of the sled where the coolant pipe runs into the step on the right side of the machine heading back down towards the front... Could this have been caused from hoisting the rear of the sled up from the back bar when removing the track? I can't see any cracks and can't actually see where its coming from but see the coolant running along the underside of the aluminum piece from back to front. Is there an easy fix for this?

 

[gitrdun]

Difficult to guess what caused it till you find out exactly where it's coming from. There should be a hose connection there too that could be loose. I'm sure many a machine has been lifted by the back bumper without any trouble after. Is there a crossover pipe at the back, or a rear cooler? If a rear cooler was installed it is possible that the pipe coming out of the cooler and going through the tunnel, may have been rubbing where it goes through.

 

[steiner]

Could be a hair line crack on the running board exchangers. Had both of mine leak on my Attak.
Could never see the leak only the evidence of a leak.

 

[karlburns]

What Steiner said. Mine cracked several times where the rear suspension mounts are.

 

[steiner]

Swapped out mine exchangers with some from BoP and added running board stiffners. So far so good.
I occasionally stand when I ride. This puts extra stress on the boards causing them to flex the exchangers ever so slightly. After a while they will fatigue and start to leak.
For those you that never stand and ride you should never have an issue with leaking board exchangers.

 

[DJ Hennessy]

Difficult to guess what caused it till you find out exactly where it's coming from. There should be a hose connection there too that could be loose. I'm sure many a machine has been lifted by the back bumper without any trouble after. Is there a crossover pipe at the back, or a rear cooler? If a rear cooler was installed it is possible that the pipe coming out of the cooler and going through the tunnel, may have been rubbing where it goes through.

All good points! Starting to think if it wasn't caused by last owner, who was a beast of big guy from standing on or whatever... Could it be from the stand I just bought? It's the twin z lift and the rear supports go under the running boards right near the rear suspension mounts where I've noticed the build up of coolant occurring? Possibly too much stress and put a hair line crack like suggested above. Is it expensive to replace those parts? CDN dollars lol?

 

[THKSNOW]

My guess it's leaking where my 2006 did (no rear heat exchanger):

There is a cross over metal pipe in the back of the sled. On each side, the pipe connects to the running board exchangers via rubber hoses. Yamaha used rivets to hold that metal pipe in place. In time the rivets get loose and break and then the pipe will bounce up and down where it goes through the "framework" and cut a hole in the pipe.

I got a used pipe from BOP and when I put it in I wrapped the ends of the pipe in rubber where it goes through the frame. No movement at all after that. Kind of a pain time-consuming fix with the rear of the sled lifted way up and tied to the rafters in the garage.

For anyone that has an 06 or so Apex or Attak, look under the back at that pipe and make sure it does not move when you push on it. If it's loose (or even if it isn't loose yet) wedge some rubber material between the pipe and the frame and save yourself from having to replace it in the future.

 

[steiner]

All good points! Starting to think if it wasn't caused by last owner, who was a beast of big guy from standing on or whatever... Could it be from the stand I just bought? It's the twin z lift and the rear supports go under the running boards right near the rear suspension mounts where I've noticed the build up of coolant occurring? Possibly too much stress and put a hair line crack like suggested above. Is it expensive to replace those parts? CDN dollars lol?

There is very little weight on the boards when picking up the sled on a light. Found out the hard way when working on mine. I would say 80% of the weight is in the front and about 95% when the tank and seat are off. oops
THKSNOW brings up a good point about that cross over pipe. They can come free and rattle around causing a leak. If this is the case for you let me know. I have three pipes sitting on the shelf.

 

[DJ Hennessy]

There is very little weight on the boards when picking up the sled on a light. Found out the hard way when working on mine. I would say 80% of the weight is in the front and about 95% when the tank and seat are off. oops
THKSNOW brings up a good point about that cross over pipe. They can come free and rattle around causing a leak. If this is the case for you let me know. I have three pipes sitting on the shelf.

Thanks everyone! This forum is amazing for working through issues! I'll likely tackle taking a look for the source or crack tomorrow night and post what I find. If it's the pipe I will definitely let you know Steiner, Thanks! One more question, what is BOP that people keep mentioning on here?

 

[THKSNOW]

BOP = Barn of Parts

http://www.barnofparts.com/

 

[HABS 1]

My guess it's leaking where my 2006 did (no rear heat exchanger):

There is a cross over metal pipe in the back of the sled. On each side, the pipe connects to the running board exchangers via rubber hoses. Yamaha used rivets to hold that metal pipe in place. In time the rivets get loose and break and then the pipe will bounce up and down where it goes through the "framework" and cut a hole in the pipe.

I got a used pipe from BOP and when I put it in I wrapped the ends of the pipe in rubber where it goes through the frame. No movement at all after that. Kind of a pain time-consuming fix with the rear of the sled lifted way up and tied to the rafters in the garage.

For anyone that has an 06 or so Apex or Attak, look under the back at that pipe and make sure it does not move when you push on it. If it's loose (or even if it isn't loose yet) wedge some rubber material between the pipe and the frame and save yourself from having to replace it in the future.

same happened here i put 1/4 inch bolts in with lock nuts to hold pipe, its tricky to get nut started and to hold it but can be done!

 

[viper7mi]

I had the cross pipe cut through on the trail in the UP. I have a 06 Attak. That tube is low pressure. We used a rubber gloves tied around the tube, electric tape, and 2 tie straps. It held for 130 miles. I did a more permanent fix with JB Weld later that night and hose and clamps.

I bought a used cross tube from Lano.

 

[DJ Hennessy]

just took another quick look and there was no evidence of coolant at that pipe and the last owner had already zip tied it in place with rubber pipe between it and frame to keep it safe by the looks of it... The only spots I can see the coolant now is its coming down from the rear suspension mount and then looks like maybe run off from there where there is a drip at the very bottom of step rail at the front of the machine... Feeling like it must be a crack in the aluminum housing at the suspension mount.

 

[karlburns]

Remove the suspension, Pop the rear mounting brackets off and then take it to an aluminum welder. I did that twice. Never could figure out a way to prevent the damage from happening again.

 

[DJ Hennessy]

Remove the suspension, Pop the rear mounting brackets off and then take it to an aluminum welder. I did that twice. Never could figure out a way to prevent the damage from happening again.

Did you put running board stiffners on? Wondering if a fabricator could make a bracket our plate to stiffen it up more...?