Bike overheating

[Rach81]

So the bike went mental getting hot waiting to get into Knockhill, steam pouring out of one side.
Riding home temp rose immediately the speed dropped below 70.

Lots and lots of things listed in Haynes.

What shall I start with after checking the fluids?

(might have to go to the bike shop for this one)

[Chilli]

You mentioned steam etc when you got there....Would this suggest a leak. Check the fluids levels first.

[SplatSpeed]

you need a block tester to tell if you have done the head

if the spped is dropping this is due to evaporation of fuel before it gets near the cylinger of friction increasing as the oil burns away not good

[Rach81]

No probs with speed dropping on its own, only if I slowed down (filtering, riding through town)

Expansion tank too?

[Busamav]

I believe the garages have a tester that they fit to the rad cap , then pressure test the system for leaks .

It could also just be a faulty thermostat .

I had a head gasket go on a new bike , it just spat fluid out of the expansion tank overflow

Edited by Busamav on Tuesday 12th August 06:29

[Sossige]

Rach, if you can get access to the coolant reservoir, check in there to see if the coolant has oil mixed in it. Also remove the oil dipstick and see if it's like a mayo type liquid instead of clean oil.

Both are symptoms of a head gasket failure, but unfortunately they tend to be too late.

[Rach81]

I've fixed my bike!!!

Had a few clues from a patient who said check your fuses....

Coolant was very low, also a fuse was indeed blown.

Popped down to the bike shop and told Jay all about it, he said take off the fairing and look at your fan, it could just be a bit rusty and seized.

Small pebble in my fan stopping it spinning!!, which had blown the fuse and made it boil over quing to get into Knockhill!

Yay!!

Can I have a job at Honda now CC, please?

[Chilli]

See, told ya didn't I? Sort of...

Leave CC out of this....I'm first.

[Rach81]

Are you going to employ me?

[Chilli]

If I could, I would. But being 68, I don't have many teeth left. I do however need a hand to wash once a week or so.

[Rach81]

[Chilli]

That's not a bad likeness as it goes!

[odyssey2200]

IIRC the header tank is in the area you said steam was comming from so it was probably letting off excess pressure.

Let it cool down, refill the header tank and run the engine a while with the cap off to make sure any air locks are out of the system.

Does the bike continually blow bubbles into the tank?

If yes poss head gasket or worse.

If no refit the cap and run it up till the temp guage reads normal.

If the guage reads HOT does the fan cut in?
If not sort that first

If it does, locate and remove the thermostat ONCE IT HAS COOLED DOWN

look at the thermostat
it should be closed.

stand it in a large saucepan and puor boiling water in the pan
You see the 'stat open

If it does notopen pop along to you friendly neighbourhood Honda dealer and buy a new one and fit back to the motor and try again!

[Rach81]

Thanks Odessey, I was worried it was going to be something a bit more complicated, but there was a pebble in my fan stopping it spinning, that had blown a fuse and made everything go mental.
I'm so chuffed I fixed it

[odyssey2200]

HTH