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Post by bjg on Sept 6, 2013 17:15:43 GMT -5
So in a previous thread I posted some questions about coolant and got some excellent advice. I've since flushed the radiator and refilled it with decent aluminum safe 50/50 mix coolant and I have my overflow tank filled to ~1/2 full. I started the scoot and warmed it up and I could tell when the thermostat opened as I felt the coolant hoses warm. I gave a a little throttle and held it and watched the temp slowly climb to near the red over about 20 minutes (it used to come up and sit mid range). As the temp approached the red the radiator fan came on. What I didn't see was the overflow tank level rise any noticeable amount and the temp continued to rise. Just below the red I shut it off.
I think based on what I saw that the thermostat is working, the temp switch for the radiator fan is working, and the pump is working (both inlet and outlet hoses of the radiator warmed).
If I understand how this is all supposed to work, a shut radiator cap would cause the system to over pressurize and maybe blow a hose but I should get good cooling. A stuck open radiator cap would let the coolant boil and I'd over heat but I think I'd see the overflow go up a bit...wouldn't I?
I'm confused. Can someone help me here? What am I missing? The scoot ran fine less than a month ago.
btw - this is the same symptoms that prompted me to change the coolant (except that previously my overflow level was low)
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Post by keltex78 on Sept 6, 2013 17:22:42 GMT -5
Take the cap off and rock the bike while it's hot and running. Sounds like there is still an air bubble in there that hasn't burped out yet.
Take the cap off while it's cool, then crank and run it... don't want it to gush steam in your face...
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Post by shalomrider on Sept 6, 2013 18:48:29 GMT -5
howdy, i'm no expert but the water pump can't pump air so that is why you get the high temp and fan on is because the water is not circulating. when it is cool, take the cap off and if you can reach any length of water hose on the scoot, pinch it and see if you can get a purb from the open overflow tank. if not , leave the cap off and start it and while it is running, pinch the hosea few times and see if you can pinch a prup of air out so that water can get down to the water pump. if you can, you should notice the water in the overflow tank go down, at which time you add some to bring it up to full and you should be good to go. if this is not right , someone should leave a message to that effect.
lotsa miles and smiles to ya
ken
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Post by skuttadawg on Sept 6, 2013 23:45:48 GMT -5
Should be able to feel the coolant flowing while at idle by gently giving the hose a squeeze . With the cap off the pressure is much less than when on so it may not be flowing as much . Have just warm , not hot , make sure the radiator and reservoir are full . Like mentioned above squeezing the hose while at idle with the cap off can " burp " or purge out any air that may be in the system since it limits the coolant flow . Also make sure the oil level is full and is golden instead of black which should be changed .
My Echarm always runs cool except if I putt around campus with a 20 MPH speed limit since it does not get air flow through the radiator as well as engine bay compared to that of cruising speeds . I recently changed out my coolant since it had 17k miles on it . My dealer said they changed it out of the crate with Prestone 50/50 . I only gave it sip since purchase . My fan has been on way more and at a longer duration recently since it still gets warm at midday here . During the winter the fan never comes on unless it idles for a very long time over 20 minutes . I have done that just to say " Look my scooter has a heater " LOL .
Have you done a plug chop ? Since it is lean it will run hotter than one with a larger main jet that will be richer .
Are you running the 7 or 8 spark plug ?
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Post by bjg on Sept 7, 2013 6:12:56 GMT -5
I will try everything mentioned about burping the system. The issue was there before I changed the coolant but the overflow tank was low so maybe it sucked in some air.
I know I am getting flow through the radiator because I can feel the heat come up through the inlet and out the outlet of the radiator and eventually the radiator fan comes on. It takes about 20 minutes befoe the temp starts climbing so I'm worried that the radiator cap is stuck open. I would think that is about how long it would take to start to boil the antifreeze if there is no pressure in the system. If that were the issue though I would think I would be seeing a change in the overflow tank level. The tank is large relative to the radiator so maybe I'm just missing it.
So possibilities at this time are air in the system and maybe a bad radiator cap. Anything else anyone can think of?
As for the carb, I have stock jets in the carb and I'm running an NGK DR8EA. That's what was in there when I got the scooter.
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Post by JR on Sept 7, 2013 6:57:51 GMT -5
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Post by bjg on Sept 10, 2013 9:47:08 GMT -5
Well JR, I followed your belch guide and so far so good. I think previously the lines to my overflow tank were empty and I didn't get enough flow going to fill them so when the engine cooled I sucked air back in. Using the procedure you linked I could clearly see the flow out of the radiator into the overflow tank. I just waited until I saw the level come up a bit in the overflow tank, capped it, ran the temp up to mid, shut it off, waited for it to cool, and topped it off and it's been good since.
Thanks everyone for the help.
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