Overheating

[rob100961]

Well I suppose that's one way to fix a problem! :-)

Or to buy some new ones :-(

They're good bikes though, and summer is on its way (well maybe?), so go out and enjoy.

All the best, Rob

[kapcom]

Nice looking bike Paul.

[Vicki M]

Hi all,

My question: how do you check there are no air pockets in the coolant? And how do you get rid of them if you find one?
I also discovered some suspicious looking white spots on the hoses and cabling behind the radiater, so I may have a very small leak somewhere whch has let air in where it shudn't. The coolant level seems to be higher than it shud be as well.

My - usually very reliable - 2004 ie recently started doing the same sort of over heating thing on the short ride to work or a 10km jaunt out the road last w/e. The weather has turned cold here and the bike temp is climbing above 80 and getting that hot smell in temperatures that usually only get the radiater to about 50 or 60 deg.

thanks in advance
cheers
Vic

[rob100961]

When the bike is cool take off the radiator cap and see what the level is, it should be right to the top.
Sounds like you've got air in there though, as what usually happens is the coolant can now get very hot, which it does and goes into the expansion tank (your higher level).

When you replace the coolant, you need to squeeze the two large black rubber pipes that go to the engine, otherwise you end up with trapped air here, and a problem.

My advice would be to check out the marks on your cables and pipes behind the radiator, this will lead you to the leak. The water wil generally come back horizontally from wherever it's leaking due to the windflow, or vertically downwards when there's no windflow, use this to find your leak.
Discolouration may be your best clue, as often a small leak will dry the coolant pretty quickly due to the high component temperature.

Maybe check the easy and cheap stuff first, like the clamps around the hoses are tight enough.

Good luck :-)

Rob

[zwer_1982]

Hi all,

My question: how do you check there are no air pockets in the coolant? And how do you get rid of them if you find one?
I also discovered some suspicious looking white spots on the hoses and cabling behind the radiater, so I may have a very small leak somewhere whch has let air in where it shudn't. The coolant level seems to be higher than it shud be as well.

***
Vic

open radiator, fill up a coolant, then start a motor and hold on to warm a engine up (i wait to fan start up).and fill up a coolant....

[Vicki M]

Thanks guys, checked it out last w/e. found some white crusty goop on both the radiator cap and the lower pipe, which also was almost totally blockd by some crusty .... substance. and only about 300ml of dirty fluid drained out - with the rad cap off.. Have some pics I will post tomorrow or over the w/e. Flushed out the radiator, and reverse flushed. and refilled - abt 800ml I think. Will chk for air agn this w/e as, tho heaps better than b4, it is still getting hotter than it should in this cold weather. More like I wud expect to see in summer on a 32 deg day than in this single digit cold snap weather!!

Am guessing the thermostat is next on the list?

cheers all
Vic

[Vicki M]

before pics - the bike was upright on a stand when coolant was checked.


what remained of the old coolant


some chunky, crusty bits that nearly totally blocked the lower pipe.


after pic of lower pipe.