Water Pump Hose Leak?

[JoeSTL]

So I noticed some dark fluid under my bike a little while ago and I never really knew what it was. When I first saw it, my oil and coolant levels looked normal. I smelled it and it smelled just like maple syrup. I've read that burned coolant can have a sweet smell like that so I assume that's what it is. Well then it got really freaking cold and I basically haven't touched my bike in 2 months because there's be a sheet of ice outside my garage for the entire time (freaking blows). I went out there today and started looking more closely. It looks like the lower hose to the water pump is leaking at the clamps. I've attached a side and under pic of the area. I've had the bike for two years now and never changed the coolant. When I got it, it only had 1500 miles on it, so I doubt the coolant has ever been changed. Could that be a reason? Or do those hoses just need to be changed after a few years? Has any here had this section of the hose leak before? I plan to order the hose section and the clamps and I think it will probably be an easy fix (god I hope LOL). Should I order the entire hose or just the area that I think is leaking? Well here are the pics. Let me know if anyone thinks there might be a different issue then what I think it is...

Side View

Under View

 

[boarder4life81]

I bought mine brand new off the showroom floor and within the first 300 miles had a water-pump failure (thankfully it was still under warranty). A quick internet search shows that several models were plagued with faulty water-pumps from the factory. Guess Yamaha felt it was cheaper to replace them as they went opposed to doing a recall.

 

[oaks]

The sweet smell is definitely coolant. Keep pets away from that since it's poisonous.

Old coolant becomes acidic and can harm gaskets and internal parts so it's time for a change if yours is 7 or 8 years old.

It's so rare to see modern hoses fail these days. I'd clean the area off, make sure everything is tight and watch it to see if it's a gasket or the hose that is leaking. That white residue around the bolts in the first pic is curious.

 

[FinalImpact]

I'd guess if you dump the fluid you'll see its much worse than expected. Once the fluid looses its anti-corrosion properties, it goes after the gaskets and metal, (aluminum & steel). As the aluminum corrodes, a thin layer expands under the clamp and you see a leak like what you have.

Flush the system, take the hoses off and clean under the rubber and clean the hoses interior and it will likely seal properly.

FWIW: 5 years on conventional A/F and its loosing its anti-corrosion properties and attacking the cooling system components.

 

[jczlsr]

I have a 2009 with a water pump leak when bought new. It was still under warranty and Yamaha tried to fix it 3 times by replacing the internal mechanical seal. All three times it continued to leak. On the forth repair, Yamaha replaced the whole water pump assembly. No leaks since. Parts/labor cost wise, Yamaha would have been better to replace the whole assembly right from the get go.