Water pump took a dump (maybe)

I know its been awhile but thought I might chime in. When I was in VA over the summer my water pump went. Called the dealer closest to Richmond and asked the Service Adviser if it was ok to drive till I could get to the dealer. His response was this-"The Twin Cooled engines are first and foremost, air cooled engines. The "wet heads" just help to cool it down more. As long as I wasn't abusing it ie: full throttle, passing everything on the road, it is still ok to drive." I have an FP3 tuner and set it to watch the temp. I drove the trike home from VA to NY, in 80 plus degree weather and the hottest it read was pulling the hills in PA at 280. I do have a DK Customs Remote oil filter mount and several times at rest areas along the way to let her cool a bit. She still runs great and no noises or dreaded particles in the oil filter when I got back. Moral is, don't feel like you CAN'T drive it when the pump dies, I can tell ya from my experience that they are built tough and can handle a little extra heat to get you where you need to go.

Bob

Glad you had no problem running with the coolant pump not working. I've heard and know of a couple others who have done so but none quite as far as you.

I'm no engine designer or engineer but I have to think that the area where the coolant circulates would not get nearly as much cooling from the air passing over as would be the case in a completely air cooled motor the reason being that the water jacket and the idle coolant in it would I think tend to insulate and actually hold heat in. And not having been designed to be air cooled there is no oem oil cooler.

Each to his own but personally I would not want to run with the coolant pump inoperative.
 
Had a follow up thought to this. If there is a known problem and you continue to operate the vehicle if it should lead to a failure you might have put yourself in jeopardy with regard to factory warranty or ESP. Just saying. They look for any excuse to deny, deny, deny.
 
A frind and fellow HOG Member was up to the big Harley annaversary they had this summer in Millwalkee. His pump went out on his 2015. Dealer said no proble riding it. Brink it in you are the 6th one in line for a water pump. The factory is sending some pumps over. We will have you ready this afternoon. $575 later he was back on the road.
 
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My dealer told me that up to 100 miles is no biggie ... course ... he's lied to me before :Shrug:

You know Fuzzy, Its only a lie when the person telling you the lie knows he is telling you a lie...Most Dealers/Service Managers don't know what their talking about anyway...They just say any stuff that sounds true to them at the time...:xzqxz:
 
You know Fuzzy, Its only a lie when the person telling you the lie knows he is telling you a lie...Most Dealers/Service Managers don't know what their talking about anyway...They just say any stuff that sounds true to them at the time...:xzqxz:

Just like politicians ... I always knew when he was lying ... his lips where moving.
 
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Glad you had no problem running with the coolant pump not working. I've heard and know of a couple others who have done so but none quite as far as you.

I'm no engine designer or engineer but I have to think that the area where the coolant circulates would not get nearly as much cooling from the air passing over as would be the case in a completely air cooled motor the reason being that the water jacket and the idle coolant in it would I think tend to insulate and actually hold heat in. And not having been designed to be air cooled there is no oem oil cooler.

Each to his own but personally I would not want to run with the coolant pump inoperative.

I was told pretty much the same thing, as you just read, from the dealers up in Canada. I went to the Canadian National Rally in Ottawa in 2017. My pump went out and the 2 dealers there were all sold out. They told me "Hey, it's a Harley - it's an air cooled engine - there will be no problem riding in moderation for a while". Well, on my way home I called all the dealers as I traveled west. Finally the dealer in Tonawanda, NY had a pump and was open = IT'S A MIRACLE! since it was Sunday and all the dealers so far were closed. So the TG ran fine for 340 miles. My temp gage showed no difference. It was all highway miles. I bet I wouldn't have had any problems if I had to ride all the way home. My clutch problem on the way home was another thing. That's for another time though. :D
 
water pump

That killed my Maggi Valley vacation. Spent 4 days at a Hilton at Virginia, poolside. :gah:

Came real close as turning into a alcoholic.
 
Water Pump died on our 2014 TriGlide

Our 2014 Triglide's water pump died while we were attending Bikes, Blues & BBQ last year. Rode it from New Mexico there. had to have it transported to Pig Trail HD. We rode out on a 2018 TriGlide since this was the second major component to fail in 6 weeks. We ordered the 2014 and it was delivered October 2013. Hopefully yours will fair better.
 

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