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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/27/2006 7:27:07 PM
Posts: 15,
Visits: 2
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| I have a 03 Kawasaki Mean Streak with 20,000 miles on it. With some standard mods, my bike has been running quite smooth. About 1000 miles ago, I noticed engine oil began to run low. Except a puff of "bluish" smoke when starting cold in the morning, there aren't any leaking noticed on the outside, engine block and ground. Pulled the plugs out, there are film of oil on the threads of the two plugs coming off the rear engine block, tips are sooty black, also coolant is using up fast too (daytime 34C degree). Worst, I noticed a shiny sheen floating on top of the coolant (from the reserve tank on the side). Removed the tank, and check the radiator, loosened the release valve (with radiator cap on tight), coolant squirt out from the valve similar to tap water with air trapped inside. So, I have a leak somewhere in the engine for oil to get into the water radiator and also forming a coat on the spark plugs, where should I look for when starting to tear into the block? And is there air trapped inside the radiator? How to get rid of it? Would appreciate some guidance and recommendations.
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Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:52:41 AM
Posts: 1,295,
Visits: 1,150
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| Got "sheen" on top of the coolant? First impluse says you got a cracked block. Whatever it is...it sounds expensive. G'luck. ((Edited to say:Oh,oh....guess I typed too fast....reading IRONMIKE...headgasket, yeah....cracked HEAD....yeah, too. I would guess the cheapest is the head gasket. But no matter what...if you don't even do THAT yourself....be prepared for a big buck repair. What's your bike worth...compared to a 90 buck/hr + parts repair job? Again...g'luck.))
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/7/2009 3:29:17 PM
Posts: 27,
Visits: 88
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| Although I'm not familiar with your particular engine, logic suggests that examination of the head gasket may be appropriate...
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Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/6/2008 10:52:54 AM
Posts: 1,381,
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Check with Kawasaki to see if there is a service bulletin. Years ago I had a truck do something similar (head gasket leak allowing coolant to run out of the engine and on the ground - crappy gasket material/design/whatever). They didn't do a recall, they just did a service bulletin and you had to ask to find out about it. Crappy PR IMHO, but worth a shot.
Good luck as 20K seems a bit premature for any of the possibile failures. If there is a service bulletin it should be free of charge.
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Junior Member
Group: Awaiting Activation
Last Login: 10/10/2008 7:39:02 PM
Posts: 224,
Visits: 35
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| A compression/leak-down test couldn't hurt, isn't very expensive, and might give you some more information on your issue.
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