imported post
I say your father in law is correct, it seems right to me.
I say your father in law is correct, it seems right to me.
Overheating GL1500?
imported post
Hi All,
I am the proud owner of a 95 SE (great bike). Lately, it has been running uncomfortably warm. It has not overheated, yet (because I haven't had to stay still long enough), but it has me concerned.
I have checked (what I beleive to be) the usual suspects:
1) Fluid - it was low. Topped off a couple weeks a go, now level is good.
2) Fans - kicking on intermittantly. (not consistant) When I arrive home, I kick the stand down (killing the motor). the bike is normally in that same temperature range (+/- 1 cm to the left of the top end of normal). Because the key is still on, the fan will run (only sometimes it is not on, running).
3) Water pump - Not sure, though my Father-In-Law, who also has a 95 SE )not to mention a 2006, -lucky dog, but I digress), said that if the pump was out, the bike would definitely overheat (because coolant was not moving). He also says that his 95 runs in the same range all the time (when the weather is over 100, which it is most of the time in hell ---err, phoenix).
Is he right? Should I not be concerned? Or, is this precursor to some larger problem?
Hi All,
I am the proud owner of a 95 SE (great bike). Lately, it has been running uncomfortably warm. It has not overheated, yet (because I haven't had to stay still long enough), but it has me concerned.
I have checked (what I beleive to be) the usual suspects:
1) Fluid - it was low. Topped off a couple weeks a go, now level is good.
2) Fans - kicking on intermittantly. (not consistant) When I arrive home, I kick the stand down (killing the motor). the bike is normally in that same temperature range (+/- 1 cm to the left of the top end of normal). Because the key is still on, the fan will run (only sometimes it is not on, running).
3) Water pump - Not sure, though my Father-In-Law, who also has a 95 SE )not to mention a 2006, -lucky dog, but I digress), said that if the pump was out, the bike would definitely overheat (because coolant was not moving). He also says that his 95 runs in the same range all the time (when the weather is over 100, which it is most of the time in hell ---err, phoenix).
Is he right? Should I not be concerned? Or, is this precursor to some larger problem?
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imported post
I have just had a similar problem myself. I found that only one of the fans was working, fortunately following a little investigation I discovered that the fan's electrical connector bottom front of the radiator turned out to be a little corroded. Following an application of trusty WD40, the fan is now working fine. I only found this yesterday so have not had time to test the temperature.
I have just had a similar problem myself. I found that only one of the fans was working, fortunately following a little investigation I discovered that the fan's electrical connector bottom front of the radiator turned out to be a little corroded. Following an application of trusty WD40, the fan is now working fine. I only found this yesterday so have not had time to test the temperature.
imported post
given that WD-40 is prone to attracting dust, is there another lubricant that would be preferrable?
Also, both of my fans work (though I don't know how well (ie what CFM). I just noticed that they don't always come on.
BTW, where did you spray the wd? back of fan motor, shaft for fan blades?
given that WD-40 is prone to attracting dust, is there another lubricant that would be preferrable?
Also, both of my fans work (though I don't know how well (ie what CFM). I just noticed that they don't always come on.
BTW, where did you spray the wd? back of fan motor, shaft for fan blades?
imported post
Keep an eye on the coolant, it shouldn't get low. The coolant level in my '93 hasn't changed any in over a year. It might be worth checking your radiator cap and the plumbing to the expansion tank for leaks. That really won't affect your heating but the coolant is going somewhere. If your fans are operating normally and you're seeing a heat rise it's very possible there's some scaling in the radiators. It doesn't take much scale build up in the radiator tubes to reduce their efficiency. I tend to doubt the problem is in the pump, trouble with that is pretty rare in the 1500s. One quick check for scale or plugging in the radiators is to look in the radiator neck, not the expansion bottle, with the engine running. Then rev the engine up a bit. If the level rises in the neck that's an indication that water is being pushed in faster than it can leave the radiator(s) which is what happens with a restricted flow.
One other remote possibility would be a leaking head gasket which is also pretty rare on the six cylinder 'Wings. Bubbles in the radiator neck when the engine is running is one indication of a head gasket leak. One other check would be one or two spark plugs looking a lot more clean and white than the rest, like they were steam cleaned.
Keep an eye on the coolant, it shouldn't get low. The coolant level in my '93 hasn't changed any in over a year. It might be worth checking your radiator cap and the plumbing to the expansion tank for leaks. That really won't affect your heating but the coolant is going somewhere. If your fans are operating normally and you're seeing a heat rise it's very possible there's some scaling in the radiators. It doesn't take much scale build up in the radiator tubes to reduce their efficiency. I tend to doubt the problem is in the pump, trouble with that is pretty rare in the 1500s. One quick check for scale or plugging in the radiators is to look in the radiator neck, not the expansion bottle, with the engine running. Then rev the engine up a bit. If the level rises in the neck that's an indication that water is being pushed in faster than it can leave the radiator(s) which is what happens with a restricted flow.
One other remote possibility would be a leaking head gasket which is also pretty rare on the six cylinder 'Wings. Bubbles in the radiator neck when the engine is running is one indication of a head gasket leak. One other check would be one or two spark plugs looking a lot more clean and white than the rest, like they were steam cleaned.
imported post
I did notice, when I attempted to do the "burp" procedure, that I did not get any bubbles. Instead, as i allowed the bike to idle, the fluid level in the radiator (not the overflow bottle) began to rise. Mind you that the rise was minor, the level was at the top of the neck when I checked it, and had risen into the cap area (after 5 minutes of running.
I did notice, when I attempted to do the "burp" procedure, that I did not get any bubbles. Instead, as i allowed the bike to idle, the fluid level in the radiator (not the overflow bottle) began to rise. Mind you that the rise was minor, the level was at the top of the neck when I checked it, and had risen into the cap area (after 5 minutes of running.
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That sounds normal... ie: expansion tank.
That fluid is going somewhere though.... unless it was never topped-off properly from a previous service. But you say the level is maintaining...
I'd replace the Thermo Fan Switch (either way) to a lower temp one living in Phoenix myself....
That sounds normal... ie: expansion tank.
That fluid is going somewhere though.... unless it was never topped-off properly from a previous service. But you say the level is maintaining...
I'd replace the Thermo Fan Switch (either way) to a lower temp one living in Phoenix myself....
imported post
The WD was sprayed into the electrical connection that connect the fan to the bike, you could probably use a good quality electrical contact cleaner, it just that WD is what I had to hand.
The WD was sprayed into the electrical connection that connect the fan to the bike, you could probably use a good quality electrical contact cleaner, it just that WD is what I had to hand.
imported post
Ah, are you referring to the electrical connector that is found in the lower front corner of the cowl that houses the fan? (If fingers are skinny enough, you can touch it with your finger without removing any parts of the bike -or, I can, anyway).
Ah, are you referring to the electrical connector that is found in the lower front corner of the cowl that houses the fan? (If fingers are skinny enough, you can touch it with your finger without removing any parts of the bike -or, I can, anyway).
imported post
I am, but I admit that my digits are nowhere near skinny enough
I am, but I admit that my digits are nowhere near skinny enough
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