Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club

OK, I have something strange going on with my Valk.  She keeps running hot and when I check the coolant level she is low in the radiator but OK in the reservoir.  This has been going on for about two weeks now.  I noticed she was hot riding home from work today so I checked the coolant levels again and the radiator was almost empty but the reservoir was almost full.  I've already changed the cap.  The one I had seemed fine but the rubber was looking a little rough so I went ahead and changed it out with a new Honda cap.  It appears that I have about a 60 - 90 mile range now before heat starts becoming an issue.  Any ideas?

Is the cap tightening down correctly?  Seems like I recall that the retaining tabs can get bent so that they don't lever the cap down properly when you screw it on.

It screws down tightly with no wiggle after tightened.  I'm wondering if maybe it has a weak spring.

Chuck,

  Was this happening before you changed the cap or since you changed the cap? Just trying to figure out if the new cap has anything to do with your problem.

You might check the siphon hose for good connections on both ends and no cracks or leaks.  

Be sure you let her burp or belch when you add the new antifreeze. Leave about an inch of fill space rather than topping her off to avoid overflow when she does belch. Once she belches and the antifreeze is circulating shut her down and top her off. Put the cap on. Otherwise she will air lock and cause just the kind of problem you seem to be having, Chuck. Might check the tubing between the overflow and the radiator for obstructions while you are at it just to be sure. ~Jeff

I checked my reservoir one day and it was empty so I checked my coolant level and it was a little low, I inspected the cap and it looked like it should be changed, so I did.  I have been having coolant issues ever since.  It may be from the cap or I may have caught the problem just as it was starting.


It looks good on the ends that are easy to see and the coolant is readily making it from the radiator to the reservoir.  Unless a gremlin stuck a check valve in the middle where it is hard to see I think it is OK.   :D


I'll give that a try after dinner


See smart @$$ comment left for Disco  :evil:

I more thought, although I hope not the case.

Have you checked the oil?  Is it high or kinda' milky in appearance?  As in head gasket issues?

That would drain the radiator and cause the motor to overheat as well.

Again, hope that is not the case.

RM

The oil looks good, probably due for a change but no water in it.

I let it run with the cap off to 'burp' it like Jeff suggested.  The coolant began to overflow the radiator within a few seconds and it dumped quite a bit of coolant on the ground.  It eventually burped, the coolant level went down then began to flow.  After about 30 seconds it quite flowing and began to rise and overflow the radiator again.  Even though the bike was up to temp the coolant didn't rapidly flow any more and it began to dump on the ground.  When I shut it off the coolant level dropped by about 5 inches.  I'm beginning to think my thermostat may be bad and she really is just plain ol' overheating.

Chuck, start the bike cold with the fluid level in the reservoir at the minimum level. After it warms up the level in the reservoir will be at or above the max line and this is normal. I you do this with the bike parked you will find where you are loosing coolant, it could be as simple as the syphon tube connection or the cap. I had a crack on my reservoir where the tube connects and never had a leak on the floor.

It looks good on the ends that are easy to see and the coolant is readily making it from the radiator to the reservoir.  Unless a gremlin stuck a check valve in the middle where it is hard to see I think it is OK.   :D

You may be on to something with the check valve theory. It sure seems cap related to me. With pressure it lets water out and a suction lets it back in as temps lower. The cap may not be letting it back in. Try another cap. I know this is a long shot but i have had the overflow hose that was too long and it stuck to the bottom of the reservoir tank and created a check valve effect.
by the way if you don't get it fixed by the wrench party you can ride it a few miles and let it cool and ride a few more. You should be here for some leftover BBQ.  :2funny:

There lies the problem, Honda wants $35 for a radiator cap.  That's a lot of money to 'try another cap'.  Unfortunately I threw the old one away 'cause I didn't think I'd need an old cap.

Wanna borrow mine? You're welcome to swing down to Rowlett and borrow it for a day or two just to check... Mine's stock (Chrome doodad stuck over OEM cap), and original to the bike...

No need to spend the money on Hondas cap here is a link to a replacement.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1994-Honda-Accord-DX/Radiator-Cap/_/N-j0zkhZ9pd9v (http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1994-Honda-Accord-DX/Radiator-Cap/_/N-j0zkhZ9pd9v)

I'll bring mine to the meeting tonight if you want to use it for a couple of weeks.  I won't be needing it!

Mark

hopefully the radiator is just getting a "little low" if its "almost empty" thats a lot of coolant and its either getting all over your bike somewhere or your burning it..hopefully the earlier,holds 4 qts. right?

It appears that it was a poorly fitting cap.  I bent the tabs down slightly making the cap difficult to put on but it has been working correctly since last Thursday when I bent them.  Thanks for the suggestion VP. 

You'd think a $35 dollar radiator cap would fit correctly the first time.

Out of the junkyard of my mind comes an occasional nugget...

Keep them nuggets comin' VP!

Hay 8)
Jimmyt