YY250T coolant leaks By dannytroy (Read 540 times)

[dannytroy]

Well, while waiting for a replacement starter I thought I'd remove it and be ready to install when it comes.  I found what looks like coolant leaks coming from above, as you can see the streaking on the block.  I also see some coolant leaking from the drain bolt, although it may be making it's way from above and winding up at the lowest point.  My fear is a bad head gasket.  Do these photos suggest anything to anyone with similar issues in the past?  The scoot has less than 300 miles on it.  I'm beginning to like my air-cooled 50cc TaoTao more and more!

[damin69]

Not seeing any photos. But I can say if it is a head gasket that changing head gaskets is very easy with the 244cc and can be done without removing the engine from the scooter in less than 2 hours that is including taking the body off and putting it back on. Plus a full gasket set of for the CF250/CN250 is under 20 bucks shipped.

[dannytroy]

Sorry, I guess I forgot to attach the photos. Exactly how do I attach an image? I don't see any way to attach, only a way to add a link.

I did a little more investigating tonight. I turned the garage lights off and used a flashlight to illuminate the area in question. It looks like the area around the head gasket is clean. The leaking area seems to be lower on the cylinder/block. It's hard to see exactly where the leak is, will all the associated parts mounted, blocking the view.

The chromed pipe that attaches to the block, below the starter, what does it do? Does it carry coolant to the block? I see copper washers on it, so I'm assuming it likely carries coolant. It may be leaking also.

[dannytroy]

Just saw that you need to make a "normal reply" to add photos.  Here they are:

[dannytroy]

OK, I dodged the head gasket job. I was poking around, trying to see where the chromed coolant pipe runs to, when I brushed up against a coolant hose. I started hearing a gurgle, and realized the hose had come completely off the fitting in the block and coolant was pouring out. This is the lower hose, under the carb. I saw the hose clamp dangling there, and thought the guy at the factory had completely forgotten to tighten it. A closer inspection showed he had probably tightened it too much, and it snapped. I guess the low quality hose clamps can take too much tension before they snap. I replaced that one and the other hose at the block with high quality hose clamps.

While I'm adding coolant, I thought I'd add a copper washer on the drain plug. They had silicone there, with no washer. Should be a copper washer, if you ask me.

[alleyoop]

Yes copper washer, for liquids.
Alleyoop

[dannytroy]

Does anyone know the size of this copper washer, or who has it online. I went to a very good auto parts store today, and they didn't have anything that small. I made a washer out of some flat copper I had and it's leaking slightly. I guess I need a "real" washer.

Disregard..... I just found them on eBay.

[alleyoop]

don't know the size of the washer but measure the ID of where it has to go on.
.harborfreight.com/80-piece-copper-washer-assortment-67526.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.harborfreight.com/80-piece-copper-washer-assortment-67526.html

[dannytroy]

Yes, I had seen that assortment already. I'm in the store almost every week, and was passing by one today, but I thought the crushable type would be a better bet. Funny, the eBay order was about 4.00 for the 10 pack, and $5.00 shipping! That was the cheapest I found.