Today i went out on my bike to the shops, when i got back i noticed the temp gauge was at 3/4 to max. Normally doesnt go above 1/4
I let it cool down when i got home and checked the coolant in the rad, all was fine. Went out again and when the temp got to 3/4 again it suddenly dropped right down to normal in like 2 seconds then stayed there!
Im thinkin maybe thermostat or somthing like that. Anyone got any ideas??
Thanks fray
-- Edited by fray on Monday 12th of April 2010 07:59:21 PM
Problem got worse today when i started losing water from out the frame by the stand (overflow) and my temps went up and stayed up. I cut the bike out before it went into the red and checked the rad which i needed to top up, i only checked the other day and it was full so i was defo losing water. Was exactly the same symptoms as when my head gasket went 2 months ago which i replaced.
I started the bike up without the rad cap on and once it had warmed up and the water started to go round the system i noticed loads of little air bubbles in the rad. I ran it untill there were no more air bubbles and took it for a spin. Its fine now so it must have been an airlock causing the problem.
Thought id update the thread so it mite be of some help in the future
Turns out it is the head gasket. Losing water, pressure coming out of rad when open rad cap and water dripping out the overflow by the kick stand.
A new head gasket was fitted around 5 weeks / 500 miles ago. Have ordered a gasket set and am gonna fit a new head gasket. Dont know why the old one only lasted that short ov time tho.
Hehe never mind, ive bought a full gasket set for £15. I need a new clutch gasket and water pump gasket and exhaust gasket anyway and they should be ok for them so not to bothered.
If this pattern head gasket blows next time ill get a yammy one! lol
i spose some pattern ones should be ok but you are taking a risk not using genuine parts, my clutch cover gasket has gone aswell got a friend doing it for me 2moro
Did the head gasket today with my mate all seems ok. Ive stopped losing water and its not running out the overflow anymore! The old one had defo gone you could see on the gasket where water had been leaking over it. Fingerz crossed it will hold for a while, if it doesnt im having the head skimmed and using a gen yammy head gasket.
My mate rekons it could be somet to do with my head being bored out 2mm and oversize piston, sed it could have raised compression and the gasket cant handle it.
I think the new head gasket has failed again. Ive done 120 miles since i fitted the new gasket on sat. Went on a 80 mile hoon on sunday and was all good. This morning i noticed a tiny drip out the overflow again (wasnt overheating) but this evening it got way worse and started to overheat so i stopped. I filled the rad back up, left the rad cap off and started the bike and the coolant level then started to raise and oveflowed out the rad. I put the cap back on and the oveflow started running again. This is slightly different to before as the rad never oveflowed.
Gonna order a gen yammy head gasket 2moz at work, then gonna get strip the head off after work and get the head skimmed at PJME some time this week so hopefully can get it back up and running by the weekend.
My bike is my only form of transport so want it back up and running as soon as possible, last 2 times the head gasket has failed ive been able to top the rad up each morning to get me by but this time its pumping most of the coolant out the overflow in like 5 mins. Must be leaking a lot more this time due to it losing coolant way quicker and it making the rad overflow when it didnt before.
Do you lot think it sounds like the head gasket again?? Its gotta be surely!!
Is your water-pump okay? If its not pumping then the water will overheat giving all the symptoms you describe...
Is the thermostat okay? Take it out altogether - the engine will take longer to heat up but at least you'll know water is circulating through the entire system...
Is your radiator cap sealing properly? If not the cooling system won't be pressurised and will overheat...
If its the head gasket, you're going to get a loss in performance if the water is going into the cylinder, or a visible leak at the joint if the water is getting out. Compression testing should help you here also as a leaking head gasket will lead to a drop in compression.
-- Edited by Malc on Tuesday 13th of April 2010 06:49:48 AM
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Just because I don't care, it doesn't mean I don't understand...!
Cheerz for the reply malc. The waterpump is working fine, also thermostat is all good have tested in a kettle.
The rad cap is pressurising aswell as when i take the cap off it releases pressure so it must be holding pressure in.
Well, assuming 1, 2 and 3 above are okay, the only other thing I'd suggest before pulling it apart again is run the engine for 20 minutes with the rad cap off to make sure there is no airlocks in the cooling system. Unlikely I agree, but its the cheapest fault-finding available!
After that, I'd have to agree the headgasket may well be at fault. When you do eventually strip it to put a new one in, visibly inspect it for tell-tale signs of leaks, and check the head and its mating face on the barrel are flat and true, not warped in any way.
Good luck, keep us informed as to the eventual cause!
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Just because I don't care, it doesn't mean I don't understand...!
Tried running it without the rad cap on but instead off running out the overflow the water level in the rad rose and it overflowed out there!!
Have stripped the head off 2nite after work and it has leaked in the same place as the last one right at the front off the gasket opposite to the UP tab, its defo the gasket at fault.
Im dropping the head to PJME tommorow at 2 o clock to have it skimmed which is £15+VAT and have ordered a gen yammy head gasket today from a dealer which was £11.29.
Should have the head back and gasket by end off the week.
Cheerz for your help Malc will keep you informed. The head and cylinder look ok but there has got to be an imperfection somewhere.
Fingerz crossed a head skim and gen yam gasket will cure the problem!!!
Ive been down the road your going down fray. The genuine gasket and the head skim will cure it.I had 2 after market gaskets and both failed,then i checked my head on a glass table and it was warped.The skim and yammy gasket did the trick. I had my expansion tank whistleing like a frikkin steam kettle.Its taking its time to overheat as the cool air is flowing through the rad as you ride,if i left mine to idle it overheated in about 10 mins Best of luck.
Thanks for that mate its reassured me a little!! Ive just been having a look at the head and i think it is warped, its very hard to tell with the naked eye but when you put it on something dead flat i think i can see a slight warp.
Im hoping to get my bike back up and running by the weekend. Ive got everything crossed that this will sort it! Im pretty sure it will tho there isnt anything else it can be really!
It will be the head. Try putting it on a glass window and rocking it in all directions,the slightest movement and its warped,very common on DTs apparently.