OVERHEATS IN TRAFFIC

[Bigbri]

Right guys, I've owned this great bike for a few months now, it's a 2009 A9F and has only 10k on it!!!

Anyway, I picked it up from a dealer and rode it 50 miles home. Bike ran fine, temperature showed 2 bars until I hit traffic. After only 2 mins the temp was at the top and the fans were running like crazy. The dashboard then kept flashing high temp. I shut the bike down, let it cool but it never really recovered and I rode the last 30 miles homes (dual carriageway) with the temp at 3/4 and fans running.

Took it back to dealer, they changed the coolant and thermostat. This has made it better, however,I still overheat in traffic after only a couple of minutes. Any ideas?  I know there is a temperature sensor as well, but what else could cause this.

Do these bikes run hot????

This is my third Kawasaki and I've never had anything like this before. Sat in traffic for ages with not so much as a fan come on in the past!!!! Help, it's getting on my tits!!!!!!!!!

[nightrider]

Yep that's perfectly normal , the bars on the screen will go one above halfway the minute you slow or hit traffic ,or its hot , fans come on most of the time when you slow or stop , all normal , mine has been like this for the 3 years I have had it , I have never had the bars go any higher than just over half way even in 37 degree heat , it's just how they are , it least you know the fans work ,

[Bigbri]

Mine still goes to the top and fans run like crazy in traffic though, occasionally still get the dashboard clearing and a big "temp high" coming on! Is that normal?

[Lonewolf]

I wouldn't say it was normal for it to bring the High Temperature warning up. I've never had that on either of my GTR's.  Something is amiss.

[Richard]

 

I have never seen the trike go more than 1 bar over middle, something is wrong.

"let it cool but it never really recovered and I rode the last 30 miles homes (dual carriageway) with the temp at 3/4 and fans running" - that suggests either a coolant circulation problem, blocked radiator or something really silly, are the fans blowing the right way?

Richard

[nightrider]

Yep that's perfectly normal , the bars on the screen will go one above halfway the minute you slow or hit traffic ,or its hot , fans come on most of the time when you slow or stop , all normal , mine has been like this for the 3 years I have had it , I have never had the bars go any higher than just over half way even in 37 degree heat , it's just how they are , it least you know the fans work ,

. Well mabe not that normal , never had any warnings on the dash ,,

[Gonome]

Just spent a week volunteering at Royal International Air Tattoo as a biker escort. This involved riding all day escorting vehicles around the site at speeds varying from 15 to 25mph with extended periods stationary. Temperature went very quickly up to three bars when the fans kicked in and then the temperature went no higher.

[O.C.]

I wouldn't say it was normal for it to bring the High Temperature warning up. I've never had that on either of my GTR's.  Something is amiss.

I had three GTRs and non ever went that high even whilst in Austria in very hot weather negotiating mountain passes

[Bigbri]

Yep, sounds buggered! Coolant has been changed and also thermostat....not sure where to go next?

Could be the coolant radiator cap? Heard these can get rusty and don't act as a relief valve very well.

Looking at the vehicle schematic online, there is also an electronic temperature sensor. These are the only other things it could be??????

[doebag]

Let it get up to running temperature, then run your hand over the surface of the radiator. Any areas that feel cooler than the rest will indicate an internal blockage preventing coolant flow.
Alternatively  it could be the spaces between the radiator tubes blocked with dirt and such like preventing air flow through the radiator. Shine a light from the rear of the radiator towards the front and see if you can spot any dark spots where the light does not shine through.

Is the radiator cap doing its job of pressurising the system ? Is it actually overheating or is a faulty sensor telling the ECU it is overheating when it is not.?
For a tenner, one of these digital non contact thermometers is a good investment for measuring hot spots or indeed cool spots on things  like exhaust headers and radiators.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007Q87J3U?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

[dokterdave]

The Multifunction Relay Unit also has a relay for the fan/temp.
Might be something to consider. Check BOTH fans are working first.
Its located under the seat at the rear. Cost £60 + vat

[coman37]

Take it back to the dealer, you must have some kind of mechanical warranty? That is clearly not fit for purpose and you should reject it if not properly fixed in a reasonable time

Coman

[Bigbri]

Wow! Great response from you all. Thanks, gives me something to consider and check out before the dealer gets it back!

Will let you know how I get on!

Bri

[O.C.]

Take it back to the dealer, you must have some kind of mechanical warranty? That is clearly not fit for purpose and you should reject it if not properly fixed in a reasonable time

Coman

  but don't start an 'slanging match' or else you'll almost certainly end up getting nowhere, be reasonable (I know you will anyway) and explain that you are concerned that the issue/problem runs deeper than first thought

Ask the dealer if he knows who had the bike previously and if he is aware of any problems, this could be the reason why it has been exchanged.

[SirToU]

Hi,

I've had that problem, on my 2009 (a few years ago).

The issue is the fans are running, but not fast enough - the fans need cleaning - or replacing.....  Mine used to blow fuses.

but Bournemouth Kawasaki cleaned then - then never had the problem again.

It shouldn't be running that hot, or not for a long time.

Anyway, hope that helps.

Neil

ps... I believe, the GTR has two fans - it was the offside one that caused the issue.