cooling fan temp

[diego]

Hi, I am new to Valk ownership and I don't think the cooling fan works on My 97 standard. Since there is no temp gauge I am worried I will do damage to the engine if I ride it to far. Can anyone tell Me how to know when it should be on. It was 85 degrees and it sat idling for ten minutes and then slowly around the block and still not on...thanks for any help. 41,000 on it..

[old2soon]

I DO NOT know the exact temp they are sposed to start operating but on my I/S when it's over 100 F ambient temp and I'm sitting at a stop light my fans come on. And you will KNOW when the come on. You can hear and "feel" when they are operating. Do a bit of research on fan problems here on the tech board. Is your cooling system full of anti freeze and up to the cold line on resivoir bottle?? RIDE SAFE.

[diego]

Wow I see the tube off the top of the radiator at the cap, but have no idea where the over flow bottle is. Just got the bike yesterday...

[Hoser]

Not sure of a 97, but on my 99, I can unplug the sensor on the lower left on the side of the radiator and short it to ground and it will run, just to see if the fan itself is operable. Hoser

[Red Diamond]

The reservoir is under the left side cover, be careful taking it off until you get a feel for it, otherwise broken tabs. The fan on my Interstate comes on a lot quicker than those on the Standard or Tourer. That Standard/Tourer seem to be able to idle longer without the fan kicking in.

[billyboy]

I have the Motoson Guages on my 98 and it comes on at 210. Like Hoser said pull the connecter
at the left bottom of the rad and just touch it to the to the frame it should come on. Just make
sure the key is on.     You can also hear the rpm's drop at idle when in kicks
on. Don't be afraid to ask about anything you my need help with. Pull the covers off from the rear.

[diego]

The side tank covers on the radiator are attached by tabs that you can pull on to get the cover off..?Sorry Valk stuff all new to me..

[pancho]

Hey Diego,, The overflow line being off the radiator is a sign that the line is pinched off where it goes under the fuel tank, and when it built up pressure it blew the line off. You are probably low on coolant and will probably need to replace the line as once it is hardened and pinched off it is not going to be good.

Replace the line, fill the engine with coolant (you will need to burp it a couple of times) and have the overflow tank to the proper level and you should be in good shape. On the left side bottom of the radiator, you will see a sensor, if you will remove the connector and ground it with the bike key on the fan will turn on (like Hoser mentioned) ... just to check it's operation.

WARNING....  there is a set screw in the radiator cap.. remove it before trying to remove the cap or damage can result.

[diego]

Thanks guys, I  took out the set screw, radiator is full, and the hose is on the tank going across and down to the left side of the radiator.....  but the chrome plastic cover I can't seem to pry off..! Afraid to break it..! So I don't know what's in the overflow tank. Touched the sender wire clip to ground and the fan turns. 

[pancho]

What chrome plastic cover??  your left side cover??  if so, pull it from the rear corner as there is a locking tab in the front that will snap off if not careful.


Not the left radiator cover,, the left "side cover" below the seat.

[diego]

Is there a trick to getting that left side radiator cover off..? Prying with My fingers from the back doesn't seem to get it loose...

[pancho]

It's not the radiator cover you want to remove,, it is the side cover under the seat.  Remove it by pulling out from the rear bottom corner.

[diego]

Oh OK , the left side cover under the seat. Lower back corner...

[pancho]

Where I said earlier that the overflow line gets pinched "where it runs under the fuel tank", I meant to say it can get pinched where it runs under the frame between the radiator and frame cross rail.

[Bugslayer]

I have a '97 Tour, and I can't remember the last time my fan kicked on. I've tested the fan, and it does work. My Tru-Tel temp gauge stays at a consistent temp, so I'm confident it's not over heating.

I'd say RIDE IT, and enjoy.

[diego]

Wow, thanks to everyone on here, I found the overflow tank and it is at the proper level. All looks good the only down side is I dropped the little screw that locks the cap. But I will find one somewhere to replace it. The fan works and there is plenty of fluid, so I will do the test ride today Tuesday and see what happens. This is a great site and a great group to belong to. I have had Hondas and Harleys and everything in between, but this is the one I have wanted for a long time and am excited to belong to such a great fraternity...Diego

[sandy]

The little screw isn't absolutely necessary. Keep looking for it but don't sweat not having it. Also, it doesn't screw in tight. Just barely seat it.

[diego]

Thanks, Sandy, I am going to look for a new radiator cap, maybe it come on the new cap. This cap works, just thought I better start getting spares...

[salty1]

Welcome to the asylum Diego! Your going to enjoy your Valk, great bike! You can download the service manual at the link below.
http://www.valkyrienorway.com/download.html

[Bone]

                                      WARNING !!!!!!

10   19045-MY3-621    CAP, RADIATOR   $27.29

34   93901-22180    SCREW, TAPPING (3X8)   $1.00             

HDL prices

[valkyriemc]

Thanks guys, I  took out the set screw, radiator is full, and the hose is on the tank going across and down to the left side of the radiator.....  but the chrome plastic cover I can't seem to pry off..! Afraid to break it..! So I don't know what's in the overflow tank. Touched the sender wire clip to ground and the fan turns. 

Could run it down the block a ways and then back into your driveway, and let it sit at idle where you can see and hear it better. It should eventually come on. I have a Mosens temp gauge and when the gauge hits 210 (like above), you can hear the fan come on and feel the hot air blowing out.

[wiggydotcom]

If you've already tested the fan and it comes on, about all that's left is the sensor. Iit should close when your coolant reaches the cut in temp....maybe 210 or so as posted by valkyriemc. At that point, you could throw an ohmmeter across the tabs and it should read very low resistance.

[Firefighter]

I have motoson gauges on my IS, and 210 is about where the fan comes on. I also installed two little green lights under my gauges that come on when the fan does, I want to know whats going on when I'm in the middle of nowhere!  I live close to Mexico in south Texas, so 85 degrees is winter time. I have noticed that the first start of the day, it will take a lot of idling for the fan to run. If you go for a ride and then let it idle it wont take to long. I also think that at idle the slow circulation of the coolant causes as much temp. rise as the lack of air flow. I have at times high idled my engine in stopped traffic and the temp. seems to cool down quicker. And yes, this is a great site and organization. VRCC is a good reason to on a Valkyrie. If one researches the archives, I think you can with patience do any repair.  Welcome aboard, Firefighter

[CoachDoc]

I'm wondering about the set screw on the radiator cap. I've had my '97 Standard for 2 years, and I just replaced the radiator cap. Neither the original cap nor the replacement had a set screw. Am I missing anything significant?

[R J]

DO NOT worry about that set screw.     I took mine out in late 1997 to check the fluid in the radiator.

240K+ miles later, that screw is still laying in the spare parts bucket under the work bench.

To this day, I have not really figured out what it is for except maybe to keep the cap from turning under pressure.    If so, mine has never came loose or leaked fluid all over my leg.

So don't lose any sleep over it.

[diego]

Thanks Firefighter, I road it around for about an hour yesterday at 80 degrees and the fan never came on. The radiator was never very hot when moving and it only got real warm while idling. No increase in fluid in the overflow...

[HayHauler]

Sounds like you are good to go.  Welcome to the asylum diego.  Now we need a pic of your bike...    It's tradition, you know.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[R J]

I know this is going to sound harsh, but it is just to get a point across.

Don't have a clue as to what brand of bike you owned in the past, but this rig you are on now, is not a bike to make a worry wart out of ya.

It was built to be ridden hard and put away wet.   My bike has 243K+ very hard miles, with no major problems.   When I Triked it out, it still had the original rear end under it.   It has had 1 clutch and 1 twisted Drive shaft replaced.    Don't ask how that happened.    I bought it new and I suspect the previous owner was doing wheelie's or something.

I washed it once a month needed or not, service rear end when changing rear tire, not required now as it is a Trike and has a Mustang rear end under it.    Only problem I have had with MGM is I fried a starter solenoid because I had a relay fail and never replaced it, just wired around it.   That put too much load on the starter circuit.

These bikes were made to ride, not to worry about.   Trust me.

[salty1]

+1 

[8Track]

Your fan behaviour sounds normal to me. Mine doesn't come on unless the bike is being used in ambient temps over 95 degrees, and only then if its been sitting in traffic or ridden in an enthusiastic manner.