Hotter Than Hell

[Valkorado]

The maintenance summer.    

Back to Ruby.  I'm getting her there, but... She's one hot mama!  

She's been running really hot, after a spirited ride yesterday she was very hot on left side, like fry an egg on alternator cover hot. Fan kicking on at around 200° (Tel-Tru oil dipstick gauge temp) and running too often (on the Bullet fan kicks in around 225°).  I'm guessing either thermostat or water pump.  Is the best way to check the water pump just removing rad cap and watching for some obvious flow?  Should the flow be noticable right after starting or do I need to warm her up a bit?

Also, IF it's the pump, is this something a very novice wrench such as myself can tackle?

As mentioned, the heat seems to be concentrated most around the left side.  I notice it around my left foot and calf first, FWIW.

[Valker]

I’d check around with an infrared thermometer to pinpoint issues.

[hubcapsc]

There's a part of flushing your radiator fluid that involves cranking your
bike when it is cold with the radiator cap off, letting it run for two or three
minutes and then blipping the throttle a few times to burp out any air
that might have gotten in there. You can see the fluid cavitate down
in there when you blip, I don't know if that certifies your water pump
or not ...

-Mike

[Valkorado]

I’d check around with an infrared thermometer to pinpoint issues.

Will do.

[Valkorado]

There's a part of flushing your radiator fluid that involves cranking your
bike when it is cold with the radiator cap off, letting it run for two or three
minutes and then blipping the throttle a few times to burp out any air
that might have gotten in there. You can see the fluid cavitate down
in there when you blip, I don't know if that certifies your water pump
or not ...

-Mike

That's what I'd read too.  I was wondering if the flow from the pump is reliant on temp, or if it's always circulating some when the bike is running.

[John Schmidt]

There's a part of flushing your radiator fluid that involves cranking your
bike when it is cold with the radiator cap off, letting it run for two or three
minutes and then blipping the throttle a few times to burp out any air
that might have gotten in there. You can see the fluid cavitate down
in there when you blip, I don't know if that certifies your water pump
or not ...

-Mike

That's what I'd read too.  I was wondering if the flow from the pump is reliant on temp, or if it's always circulating some when the bike is running.

It's mechanical so runs all the time. The t'stat restricts the area of circulation until it opens. You can easily replace the pump yourself, just check to see what all needs to be drained...can't remember if oil needs draining.

[RNFWP]

There's a part of flushing your radiator fluid that involves cranking your
bike when it is cold with the radiator cap off, letting it run for two or three
minutes and then blipping the throttle a few times to burp out any air
that might have gotten in there. You can see the fluid cavitate down
in there when you blip, I don't know if that certifies your water pump
or not ...

-Mike

That's what I'd read too.  I was wondering if the flow from the pump is reliant on temp, or if it's always circulating some when the bike is running.

It's mechanical so runs all the time. The t'stat restricts the area of circulation until it opens. You can easily replace the pump yourself, just check to see what all needs to be drained...can't remember if oil needs draining.

Yep, drain the oil first, or it will drain when the water pump is removed.

[Jess from VA]

Before you make judgments on temperatures, keep in mind the Tel True temp dipstick is easy to screw up the temp reading on the sweep dial if you ever twisted the gauge face screwing it on or off.  That's why there's a hex on the dip shaft, for tightening and untightening.

I've never done it, but supposedly the Tel Tru temp can be readjusted by sticking it in boiling water (212F at sea level, better adjust for your elevation).  I guess you hold the dip in boiling water with some pliers, then twist the gauge face until it gets to 212 (or thereabouts).

The website says nothing about it.  https://www.teltru.com/section/95/honda-motorcycles

[Valkorado]

Before you make judgments on temperatures, keep in mind the Tel True temp dipstick is easy to screw up the temp reading on the sweep dial if you ever twisted the gauge face screwing it on or off.  That's why there's a hex on the dip shaft, for tightening and untightening.

I've never done it, but supposedly the Tel Tru temp can be readjusted by sticking it in boiling water (212F at sea level, better adjust for your elevation).  I guess you hold the dip in boiling water with some pliers, then twist the gauge face until it gets to 212 (or thereabouts).

The website says nothing about it.  https://www.teltru.com/section/95/honda-motorcycles

My calf and shin gauge is telling me it's much too hot.  No way should it be getting so hot around the alternator.  Seriously, I could cook breakfast on the alternator cover.  The fan is kicking on when it shouldn't be and running too much, when comparing it with the Silver Bullet.  I'm just trying to diagnose before yanking the pump or radiator off.

[Valk_Mag]

I'm still learning my Valkyrie, but if you're getting so much heat build up at the alternator is there a chance you've got an electrical problem unrelated to the cooling system?

[Bagger John - #3785]

I'm still learning my Valkyrie, but if you're getting so much heat build up at the alternator is there a chance you've got an electrical problem unrelated to the cooling system?

That kind of heat from electrical components means currents are so high that wires would fry.

Assuming the pump is in good shape, you have one or more of a few possible things going on:

Air bubbles or cavities in the coolant
Bad thermostat
Collapsed hoses
Restrictions in radiator
Restriction in left-side coolant tubes

ALL should be checked.

[Valkorado]

dipped.  

Took a large rubberized screwdriver handle and whacked the crap out of the pump several times, then removed the cap and burped the ol' gal.  Just getting back from a 75 miler, and she seems to be running cooler.  Wanted to rip around some more but here come the heavy black clouds, just like clockwork the rain will be following.

Knocking on wood here...

Gorilla Mechanics 101.  Beat it until it works.

[Jruby38]

Two years ago I saw a puddle of coolant the under the water pump. I ordered and installed a new one.  $100 for the pump and 50 cents for a new C clamp to fix the leak I didn't see where the radiator hose attaches to the top of the pump.

[Valkorado]

Two years ago I saw a puddle of coolant the under the water pump. I ordered and installed a new one.  $100 for the pump and 50 cents for a new C clamp to fix the leak I didn't see where the radiator hose attaches to the top of the pump.

$100 for a water pump?  Where?  And remember to tag on the fresh Earl and antifreeze.  Another chunk o' change.

[rug_burn]

In my experience, water pumps fail because they leak, not because they fail to pump...  If you turn that shaft with that impeller attached, the water will move.    It has no choice.
      Gotta be something else.

[derek533]

Now you've got me worried about mine.  My head covers get pretty hot and will burn your calves if you touch them.

Normal? 

(sorry for the brief hijack OP)

[Steel cowboy]

Yes, valve covers get burning hot.
 Why not install a switch on the radiator temp sensor to activate the fan manually.

[derek533]

Whew, thanks man.

As far as the switch idea, that's actually a really good idea as long as you can train yourself to be part of your startup/shutdown routine.  Would hate to see his bike burn up if he forgot to turn it on

[Valkorado]

In my experience, water pumps fail because they leak, not because they fail to pump...  If you turn that shaft with that impeller attached, the water will move.    It has no choice.
      Gotta be something else.

Well I'm figuring it's the thermostat then.  Couldn't be the switch in the radiator because the fan is working -- coming on too early and running too much.  Had to pull the rad on a 99 Intestate for the same reason.  Not looking forward to doing that again.  Contrary to the book, I don't find this type of motorcycle maintenance to be Zen like at all.