Swiss Rolls Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 This is the first problem i have encountered with my bike apart from a few electrical gremlins, it now has a habit of getting rather hot, the temp gauge is way above average after 20mins of riding, and prolonged hard use sees the coolant in the reservoir boiling :/i do not have the money to take it to the garage but should be able to do whatever needs doing myself with friends, but its diagnosing the problem that i'm struggling with. my first thoughts are thermostat, water pump, leaky radiator, blocked coolant pipes or perhaps head gasket.i have topped up the radiator and the problem is still there, and i do not think it is the waterpump or thermostat, can anyone help me out with finding the cause of the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogof Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 i have topped up the radiator and the problem is still there, and i do not think it is the waterpump or thermostat, can anyone help me out with finding the cause of the problem? Does the fan cut in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Moved to pitstop The fan won't make a blind bit of difference if its doing it while riding as in this weather the fan won't come on when its moving If it only gets got in traffic that's when you need to check the fan out Check the radiator to see if it gets hot if so your stat is fine What bike is it too? It could be water pump remove the radiator cap give it a few revs you should see the water drop slightly also smell the coolant a good sign the head gasket has gone is if you can smell exhaust fumes from the coolant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Also check the radiators not blocked with road crap and stopping it cooling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megawatt Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Check oil for coolant and coolant for oil. Drain coolant and flush system with a recommended flushing, cleaning solution. Check pump is actually pumping by removing a hose when cold and see how long to empty system into a bucket, estimate flow through pump and compare with manual. Give radiator a good clean inside and outside. If all else fails, use a high efficiency coolant, expensive , but cost effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogof Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 What bike is it too? Kawasaki zxr400 H1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Cheers bogof can't see that on my phone!They aren't known for overheating for no reason but I have known of water pump and head gasket failures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin the Bear Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Did you top up with water? It needs a 50 50 mix antifreeze and water, (coolant). Too little atifreeze will cause overheating.It's a simple process of illimination, the coolant needs to flow round the engine and return to the matrix (radiator) to be cooled by passage of air.A kinked hose, a blocked or faulty thermostat, a blocked matrix, a faulty pump, will stop normal flow.The pressure needs to be maintained above atmospheric, to stop the coolant boiling, so check cap and look for leaks.Daft time of year to be overheating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Rolls Posted December 23, 2011 Author Share Posted December 23, 2011 I did top it up with half water and half antifreeze but it didn't need a lot at all, the radiator will be a little bit clogged from winter riding i guess so will clean it tomorrow, however it is now getting hotter than normal after just a few minutes of gentle riding and i can't not ride it really it is a piss take to do anything on the bike as i had to take the tank and airbox off just to get to the radiator so the next time i have to do that it would be nice to sort the problem hahai do not think it is the thermostat or waterpump or a blockage as when the radiator cap was off and the engine was running, i could see coolant being pumped around, that should rule out all 3 of them?I will have no trouble mechanically doing any of the work required and the bike is 22 years old and just under 20 000 miles, which is around about the mileage other people from forums say there zxr400 head gaskets went. so if i cant defiantly say it is the head gasket would you say it is worth changing anyways? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozzie Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 Clean the cooling system, drop the oil and check for coolant, replace the head gasket anyway...A good strip and clean should make this problem go away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Rolls Posted December 23, 2011 Author Share Posted December 23, 2011 cheers guys, will replace oil and coolant, give the whole system a good flush and clean, will do the HG if i get time. will post again with the results as soon as its done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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