Question about engine temps By steelblade (Read 3,410 times)

[cyborg]

Just pull it and flush it,,, easy peasy baby,,,

[steelblade]

I live in an apartment. No garage, etc, to do serious work. I CAN get the radiator out and just take that upstairs maybe, but the hoses/pipes in the engine itself are the parts that won't be as easy.

[cyborg]

I would think the rad would be all you'd have to work on

[steelblade]

Okies, didn't remove the rad, just drained it and for now refilled with plain water. Took a bit for it to heat up so I could 'burp' it, damn near over heated and I have to shut it off for a couple of minutes. Finally it DID 'burp' and I added a cup of more water.

Rode it around for a bit, it rose to half, then dropped to 1/4 at worst. Didn't see any 'gel' coming out when I drained it, but the fluid wasn't new. Normally it looks neon, almost glow in the dark but this stuff was darker. Still green, but a dark cloudy green.

Ran the water today, gonna drain and refill again tomorrow, then run it some more. The third time I'll put fluid back in.

[cyborg]

the original fluid must have been changed ,,,lucky you!!! must have been the burp thing

[jct842]

If the water comes out dirty again flush it some more.

To find if your radiator is working so good try and see if you can find some one who has an infra red thermomitor, one that you point at object, no contact, and read temp. Measure water going in and out of radiator. Little difference means it isn't working so good.

[cyborg]

Any change in the fluid? And temps?

[steelblade]

Last time I rode it the biggest problem I had was getting the temp to raise so I could see if the temp was going to overheat or not. I suppose that's a good sign.

Didn't get a chance to flush again today, probably this friday, then again on saturday, and maybe one more time on sunday. I plan to flush till it's clear as suggested but a minimum of 3 times overall.

[steelblade]

I forgot to mention that the fan never came on, even when it hit the red while refilling. When I get a chance I am going to attach some power directly to the fan and see if it's broken or not.

[Bashan]

You're probably aware of this but the sensor in the radiator is the one that turns the fan off and on. The sensor near the thermostat is for the temp gauge. You can test the sensor in the radiator by removing it and hooking it up to a multimeter set to continuity. Then put it in some water and heat the water. When it gets to about 180 (not sure on that temp) you should get continuity. Pull it out of the water and when it cools continuity should cut off. You can also test it that way in the radiator and just heat up the bike. When the sensor closes and makes continuity it sends juice to the fan.

[steelblade]

The sensor is very visible when the hood is off on this one. If direct power doesn't make the fan work then this is the next step.

Went ahead and changed out another load of water in the bike last night. Didn't take too long, getting good at getting it apart. Fluid still green, though a brighter shade than the first batch. Next time I'll see about draining the overflow completely and refill from that instead of from the top of the radiator.

Still stays cold, only heated to about 1/3 last night.

[cyborg]

Great news!!,,,and the sensor is probably the culprit i would think

[richardv]

On my Gold Wing I added an led light to indicate the fan was energized. It made for quick diagnoses if conditions made her run warm.

[cyborg]

That is a good idea,,,

[steelblade]

While I'm thinking about it, there is a light on my temp gauge, the little sailboat looking symbol. What is that for?