white spots on rad hoses

[madEG]

Hello folks,

Any ideas of what these white spots mean? Does this suggest anything, like the hoses are stressed, or something to this effect?

2003SK3 approx 17500 miles... original hoses.

Ok, while I am pretty sure they are due for a replacement anyway, should I be worried that they are inline for a imminent failure?

The white stuff, is only on the hoses, and wipes off easily with your finger when the bike is cool.

Thoughts?

Very odd, never seen it like that before... Even on my 8 year old 50+ k curvy.

It looks to me like the rubber in the hose has started to degrade.

TBH, I wouldn't worry about what it was that caused it, I'd just get them changed anyway, like you said, it's about due.

Ive got similar on my curvy, not quite as bad though. Not sure what it means, just thought it was old age and prob needs replacing.

The hoses is detoriating the need replacing before they split completly leaving you without your coolant, i have a set for sale £25 inc delivery. Alex

[madEG]

Yea, I agree it is weird. I have never seen anything like this on rad hoses before - bike or car...

I may give them a good cleaning, and then one more ride. If the white returns I am going to change them out.

Not having any idea how much replacement hoses cost, k6sv650sport, thanks for the offer, but I am in the States, and the shipping would likely make the ordeal cost prohibitive.

Thanks folks!

I have the same white spots, a bit of WD40 makes them go away.

They started to appear after the bike was about 1 year old and have been there for about a year or so and on occasion I just wd40 them.

Have you been spraying any cleaning or polishing substances in the vicinity? One of mine went cloudy after I accidentally wiped some turtle wax polish on it (even though I tried to wipe off what I could). It took a few good cleans to stop it coming back again.

I dont see how rad hoses would go off within less than 10 years - mine are 7 years old and perfect.

However, I do get a sort of whitish tinge to them which cleans off with WD40 as DoubleD does. No idea what it is - I just assume that Suzuki rad hoses have a poor finish equal to the rest of the bike

[northwind]

You probably just have rubber aphids. Spray them with a good quality insecticide, but make sure it's not one that'll disolve nitrile rubbers.