Letter Rip! Letter of the Week - Dirt Rider Magazine

Weepy Story
I own a '06 Honda CRF450x that is bone stock with the exception of a Power Back Kit from F2Racing.net, which by the way is an amazing addition to the bike. I've been plagued with leaking coolant from the weep hole under the water pump cover 4 times since buying the bike brand new in Dec. '06. I've taken the bike to a reputable Honda dealer in my area 3 times where supposedly they changed out the impeller shaft, seals and bearings and then within 1 to 2 riding hours from getting the bike back, the seal fails, leaking coolant through the weep hole. I'm sick to my stomach over the whole ordeal. The Honda dealer that I've been taking the bike to has been less than accommodating since they're not charging for the repairs and not making any money on my ticket, which I can totally understand. The bike is in excellent condition with no more than 20 hours total. I'm concerned that it is an internal problem that should be handled by the factory but the Honda dealer that I've been to will only do the same repair of changing the seals, shaft and bearings and won't spend any extra effort on my problem. I need help, direction, anything!! Have you heard of this problem in other cases or do I just have a freak problem in my $7000.00 investment that won't go away? Great magazine by the way.
- Jim MooreI have only seen this problem regularly on Husabergs, not Hondas. But I'm suspecting, and I may be wrong, that somehow there is an issue with case and shaft alignment if the problem keeps coming back. It could be as simple as the dowel in the case being bent or even one of the connecting shafts having an imperfection that is causing the impeller shaft to wobble. It sounds freak to me but usually the regional service reps will take care of issues like this if there are no signs of customer abuse. Good luck. - Jimmy Lewis