Doc's Anything Goes
Currently Offline
Posts: 765
Likes: 28
Joined: Apr 2, 2010 6:37:07 GMT -6
|
Post by rapidjim on Feb 16, 2013 11:49:02 GMT -6
How far do you go before it overheats? Possible head gasket.
Jim
|
|
|
|
Post by meworrynot on Feb 16, 2013 12:17:27 GMT -6
Seems to go about a mile or two before it overheats. There don't seem to be any leaks anywhere it will just blow coolant out of the reservoir. Does not seem to be getting into the piston either, plug is ok.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alleyoop on Feb 16, 2013 12:46:05 GMT -6
Sounds like the Termostat is not opening.
Alleyoop
|
|
|
|
Post by meworrynot on Feb 16, 2013 13:45:30 GMT -6
Where is the thermostat on this scoot, is it near the radiator?
|
|
|
|
Post by Bashan on Feb 16, 2013 14:53:02 GMT -6
You should have the same engine as my CF Moto Fashion. The thermostat is on the engine in the housing indicated by the red arrow:
Here's a closer look, the thermosensor for the gauge is indicated by the yellow arrow:
The manual for the Helix gives the old boiling water test for the thermostat. Here's the HTML page for that and you can access more of the section on cooling from that page.
A simpler test is to remove the coolant cap on the radiator and watch the coolant. When the bike gets warm enough the coolant should start to move and swirl. If it doesn't the thermostat isn't opening.,
|
|
|
|
Post by meworrynot on Feb 16, 2013 15:49:50 GMT -6
I removed the thermostat, put it in water on the stove hanging from a wooden stick, and it opened as the water was boiling a little more than 1/8 inch. Is that enough? I don't have a thermometer to test the temp, but water was a rolling boil. What about testing the scoot without the thermostat?
|
|
|
|
Post by kz1000st on Feb 16, 2013 16:49:12 GMT -6
I wouldn't think that would be enough. How far does the thermostat open if you manually press the valve against the spring? Rolling boiling water is hot enough to open it all the way. It should open more than 1/8 of an inch.
|
|
|
|
Post by meworrynot on Feb 16, 2013 17:09:17 GMT -6
It opens more if I push id down. I do think I can now smell anti freeze in the exhaust. I put it back together with the thermostat hollowed out, It should be ok for a little while here in South Texas. I wonder if it in fact the head gasket. I will run it a little and check the plug. Just frustrating with just over 2000 miles to me...
Thank you all for your help, it is much appreciated!
|
|
|
|
Post by Bashan on Feb 17, 2013 11:59:53 GMT -6
Considering what you just told us I would park that bike until you figure out what's going on! Jim said that it might be the head gasket and if you're smelling coolant he is probably right. Jim does this for a living and knows what he's talking about.
Drain your oil and inspect it. If water and coolant is getting by the gasket it will be readily apparent in the oil.
|
|
Doc's Anything Goes
Currently Offline
Posts: 765
Likes: 28
Joined: Apr 2, 2010 6:37:07 GMT -6
|
Post by rapidjim on Feb 18, 2013 8:07:30 GMT -6
It is either a head gasket or a cracked head, hopefully just the gasket. That is why I asked you how soon it overheated by driving it. A thermostat will not cause an over heat situation within a couple miles, the coolant isn't that hot yet. A head gasket can "blow" 3 ways depending on where the break is. One causes coolant to go into the oil, one causes oil to go into the coolant, the other ( which is what I think you have) causes pressure to go into the coolant system, causing over pressure and thereby blows coolant out the exhaust and also into the over flow bottle by way of the radiator. It is the exhaust into the coolant system that is heating the coolant fast and causing an overheat problem.
Hopefully it is just the head gasket.
Jim/Owner
Rapid Repair
|
|
|
|
Post by meworrynot on Feb 18, 2013 9:13:09 GMT -6
That all makes sense. I will park it and take it apart. I hope it is just the gasket... It just started blowing white smoke yesterday and smells like burning anti freeze, bad when first started then gets better. I will tear it down tomorrow. Thank you all for your help.
|
|
|
|
Post by meworrynot on Mar 1, 2013 16:37:28 GMT -6
I have put in a new head gasket and thermostat. The new gasket seems to be a better design, 3 layers riveted together as opposed to the original single layer gasket. I spent 2 days on the burping process just to make sure all the air was gone. My fan is working and everything seems good. It is still overheating when I ride it say 10 miles... I checked the head for cracks and it seemed good. There is no more burning anti-freeze smell either. I am at a loss now. Any ideas what it might be?
|
|
|
|
Post by Alleyoop on Mar 1, 2013 16:45:05 GMT -6
I think your problem now may be air in the system. Don't forget you opened it up to fix the thing. So now I think you have to get the air out of the system.
Alleyoop
|
|
|
|
Post by meworrynot on Mar 1, 2013 16:47:13 GMT -6
Is there a better way to get it out? I have been letting it warm up, shut down and cool off and add...
|
|
|
|
Post by Alleyoop on Mar 1, 2013 16:59:31 GMT -6
No, that is what you have to do and many times it takes quite a few of those. But you know it has air since you have to add.
Alleyoop
|
|
..BAD TO THE BONE..
