K11 Owners Group

molerat · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:57 pm Post subject: Possible overheating issue.

Hey everyone,

While riding around town with the ambient temperature in the mid to high 80's, the temp guage was very close to red line, if I had continued in town it may have gone into it (not sure), I got on the freeway and headed to the mountains for an afternoon of 2 up knee dragging Very Happy

.
Where should the needle be pointing on a hot summer day with everything operating as it should? Also when it gets this hot the motor does not want to idle, it dies at a stop, any ideas on this?

I did some searching but could not find much on overheating. Could it be thermostat? How can I tell if the fan is coming on? With all the outside noise it's impossible to tell.

I changed the coolant about a week ago but it did it prior to that.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
_________________
Brian

1995 K1100 LT
1952 HRD Vincent Black Shadow, Series C

drikko · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:47 pm Post subject:

The fan should come on well before the red line, when it's that hot pull over and see if the fan is running.

However when you are moving the fan shouldn't need to come on at all even on the hottest of day. So yes you have a cooling problem. You need to check the thermostat, not hard to do, just watch it in a pot of water on the stove and you'll see it open and close when it get's hot, can't remember which way it is.

Also the radiator cap could be leaky so there's no pressure build up. Failing that you have a pump problem or other blockage somewhere. The thermostat and radiator caps aren't too expensive. If you can swap with another bike and eliminate them then you would save some money.

Cheers

D
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

sccommuter · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:52 pm Post subject:

My needle is just about a needles width short of the mid mark at highway speeds with temps in the 80s. In stop and go city traffic @ same temp. it climbs quickly to just short of the red and the fan will come on. The fan noise is noticeable on mine when idling.
_________________
1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum

molerat · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 4:03 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies, I will replace the cap and possibly the thermostat.
_________________
Brian

1995 K1100 LT
1952 HRD Vincent Black Shadow, Series C

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 5:50 pm Post subject:

Start with the cap.
The t-stat will run you probably close to $50 from a dealer. You won't find an oem with an EXACT match anywhere.
I have yet too anyway.
I've found one that was close, I took the micrometer to it and everything, but I just didn't feel like it was a close enough match to risk it.
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Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
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1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Number 6 · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:28 pm Post subject:

Start checking the fan, it should turn on before red.
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I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

molerat · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:45 pm Post subject:

Inge K. · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:41 pm Post subject:

On mine (-94.LT) the fan comes on very close to the red field, and it`s no problem to hear the fan when it`s running.

Inge K.

Number 6 · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:24 pm Post subject:

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:59 pm Post subject:

The fan motors tend to sieze, usually from inactivity over the winter months.
It can be tested. http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/fan-diagnosis.shtml
Seriously, you WILL know when / if it comes on. Toasted nuts / legs & a roar, easily heard above radio & traffic noise.
Mine trips @ about 3/4 on the gauge. If the temp rises much more, the ECU will stop the engine & a temp light illuminates IIRC.
HTH
_________________
Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

atlantaboblutz@live.com · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 8:19 pm Post subject:

molerat · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 4:33 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the help, I finally had a chance to test the fan and it works, it comes on almost as it hits the white line prior to the red, real close. So it appears I don't have a cooling issue thank goodness

I still have a problem with the idle when it gets this hot, it dies. It idles fine otherwise when it's not real hot. Any ideas????

Thanks

Brian
_________________
Brian

1995 K1100 LT
1952 HRD Vincent Black Shadow, Series C

atlantaboblutz@live.com · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 6:04 am Post subject: hot idle fail

Hmmmm. when is the last time you did a complete tune up? Often it is good to start with the simple before getting complicated.
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Thanks,
Bob
Atlanta GA

'94 K1100 LT
'76 R75/6

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 7:32 am Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 7:36 am Post subject:

Some folks here have installed a manual fan switch. When coming into town or getting stuck in slow or no moving traffic, turning on the fan BEFORE the temps start to rise will keep the engine and you cooler.
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

RAL88 · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:07 am Post subject:

molerat · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:40 pm Post subject:

drikko · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:53 pm Post subject:

Sounds to me like the fuel cap vent is blocked, not sure this has anything to do with overheating though. If you search here for fuel vent you will find a number of threads on the vent including pictures etc.

I don't get any vacuum when opening the cap.
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

molerat · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:27 pm Post subject:

Ernie-NH · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 11:09 pm Post subject:

Hi all...

I did the 'manual fan switch' conversion for just those hot days when traveling in the south.. but I also installed a product from Autozone called "Water Wetter".. At present my fan will come on by itself appx. 2 needle widths before reaching the red zone... In stalled traffic or 'bumper to bumper' switch on the fan manually. I also do a coolant flush and change at least every other season.

Regards.........// Ernie in NH
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