How to check if your cooling system is working?

[Nobbsie]

How to check if your cooling system is working?
How long should it take a bike on average to take for the temp gauge to show?
Any tips or tricks?

[nodrog]

hold it on the rev limiter for 10 mins, in an enclosed garage.

[FJRider]

Two minutes and 42 seconds for the gauge to move.

Any longer and the bike is fucked ... I'll give you $5 and a bag of chips if it IS fucked ..

[rambaldi]

hold it on the rev limiter for 10 mins, in an enclosed garage.

Sounds better than my method, I always just poked around with my sensitive bits to see what temp all the things were.

[Moi]

How to check if your cooling system is working?
How long should it take a bike on average to take for the temp gauge to show?
Any tips or tricks?

Why? Is the heater not working properly?

Seriously, why do you think the cooling system is not working?

[Nobbsie]

Im just a bit dubious as i have just brought it,
It has not been running in 4 years.
ran it for 8-10 min needle didnt even slightly move,
and was just wondering if anyone had any tips or things to look for.

[Moi]

How easy is it to access the radiator?

If easy you will be able to check the temperature difference between the header tank [top of radiator] and the bottom tank - top should be hot and the bottom should be much cooler.

If that is the case, then likely to be the temperature gauge sender unit is faulty or wiring to gauge or gauge itself.

If header tank is cool then suspect that thermostat is faulty - often jams open and does not allow engine to reach optimum operating temperature.


I'm sure some one else will soon be along to either disagree with me or, if we're lucky, to add more helpful comments...

[Erelyes]

How long should it take a bike on average to take for the temp gauge to show?

About six minutes for mine, but it takes a bit of coaxing - it's very shy.

[Moi]

... it takes a bit of coaxing - it's very shy.

Mine's not shy, just hesitant due to the cold...

[nodrog]

....any tips....

Tip 1, Specifying what bike it is would probably help.

[AllanB]

Specify the bike.

Under normal conditions the temp gauge on my Hornet does not move much up the gauge (there is a small 'warm' mark on it. Get stuck behind traffic on the hills or around town and it will rise.


If it is not working you'll know pretty soon as the coolant will start to boil and spit out the bike!


Also a good idea to flush the system and replace the coolant on a regular basis. Every 2-3 years. Easy job.


Bet most of you buggers never do it .

[Moi]

... flush the system and replace the coolant on a regular basis. Every 2-3 years. Easy job.

Bet most of you buggers never do it .

Yes, the car has recently had new coolant... the previous coolant was left on the climb from the Ramarama straight to the top of the Bombays... :facepalm:

... new water pump, drive belts, thermostat and gallons of coolant and the old girl's as good as new... :innocent:

[mossy1200]

There is probably no coolant in the radiator at all.

[Nobbsie]

The bike is a 1991 Gsxr400.
Plenty of coolant in there, i will flush and replace tomorrow.

[mossy1200]

The bike is a 1991 Gsxr400.
Plenty of coolant in there, i will flush and replace tomorrow.

Check its got anti freeze in the old coolant. Its possible the water pump impellor has corroded away in 4 years sitting and no longer sending water around.

[Tazz]

Also a good idea to flush the system and replace the coolant on a regular basis. Every 2-3 years. Easy job.


Bet most of you buggers never do it .

Coolant? Is that the stuff that comes out of the garden hose?

[Nobbsie]

All done runs sweeeeeeet

[Tazz]

All done runs sweeeeeeet
Noice. After a quick blat feeling if both the inlet and outlet hoses are hot is a real basic check you can do for airlocks or closed thermostat.

[Nobbsie]

Yea super stoked, new speedo cable tomorrow.
Than brake dec and vin