Running Hot

[BIG--T]

Last weekend I was running 276 to Brevard and traffic was backed up for miles. It was a hot 90+ degree day and about 20' and stop for miles. The other two I was riding with had a VTX and ST1300 and they had no problems while my temp light came on and had to pull over along with the HD guys

Coolant is good and fan was working so I don't know. I can't help but wonder if the Valkyrie radiator cover I bought is restricting it? I've had the cover quite a while but the first time I've been in a traffic jam like that. Any thoughts? 

[indybobm]

When your fan came on, did it run continuously, or did it cycle on and off every couple of minutes or so?

97 to 99 Standards and Tourers are known to have intermittent coolant light flashing or coming on when it should not. The culprit is the Temperature Indicator Unit that feeds the coolant light. It is located behind the left side cover. Evidently this module is no longer available from Honda but can be found used.

First you need to determine if it was really getting too hot. An infra-red heat gun can tell you the temperature of the radiator and radiator hoses.

There is a very good troubleshooting section in the Honda Service Manual, section 17,  that leads you through troubleshooting this problem.

If the bike is not actually running hot, you can do what a lot of people do. Be aware of the problem, keep an eye on the actual water temperature and ignore the light.

[BIG--T]

When your fan came on, did it run continuously, or did it cycle on and off every couple of minutes or so?

97 to 99 Standards and Tourers are known to have intermittent coolant light flashing or coming on when it should not. The culprit is the Temperature Indicator Unit that feeds the coolant light. It is located behind the left side cover. Evidently this module is no longer available from Honda but can be found used.

First you need to determine if it was really getting too hot. An infra-red heat gun can tell you the temperature of the radiator and radiator hoses.

There is a very good troubleshooting section in the Honda Service Manual, section 17,  that leads you through troubleshooting this problem

If the bike is not actually running hot, you can do what a lot of people do. Be aware of the problem, keep an eye on the actual water temperature adn ignore the light.

I have a 99 Interstate and can't hear my fan when it's running. After I pulled over and cut it off I turn on the switch(not starting) and the fan was running. After repeating several times and when the fan no longer ran I took off, passing all cars I could until I got out of traffic and has been fine ever since. Yes I'm going to try to find a temp gauge for it instead of idiot lights!

Thanks

[Willow]

... I can't help but wonder if the Valkyrie radiator cover I bought is restricting it? I've had the cover quite a while but the first time I've been in a traffic jam like that. Any thoughts? 

Likely so.  There are several styles of radiator covers.  One that restricts airflow is suspect.

A picture would help.

[Kirb]

Good thread. I thought I might find some answers with a search rather than asking an already asked question. :-)

My light flashed on and off twice this weekend while riding. But we were rolling 55-65 and it was like 45 degrees out. Fan seemed to cycle before and after with no issues. Coolant level is just a touch above high win the reserve tank when cool.

[hubcapsc]

Good thread. I thought I might find some answers with a search rather than asking an already asked question. :-)

My light flashed on and off twice this weekend while riding. But we were rolling 55-65 and it was like 45 degrees out. Fan seemed to cycle before and after with no issues. Coolant level is just a touch above high win the reserve tank when cool.

I think you are supposed to look at the reserve tank when the bike is at
operating temperature.

When my buddy Henry's light came on on the way to Cheaha one year,
we observed the reservoir tank the way the user's manual indicated,
it was low, we put some in and no more trouble...

Henry just yanked off the side cover like it was made out of steel,
but nothing broke 

-Mike

[Kirb]

I will check it at operating temp. Thanks !

[hubcapsc]

I will check it at operating temp. Thanks !

If there's no fluid in the reservoir tank at operating temperature, they
want you to "burp" your radiator... basically, start your bike up
cool with the radiator cap off, run it for a few minutes and blip
the throttle a few times...

-Mike

[Paladin528]

When COLD the reservoir tank should be at the LOW level.  When at operating temerature is may or may not increase.
That tank holds the expansion fluis when the system gets hot.  That fluid will flow back into the radiator as the bike cools down.  If the system is full then the reservoir will have ZERO effect on the cooling ability of the radiator.

[hubcapsc]

When COLD the reservoir tank should be at the LOW level.  When at operating temerature is may or may not increase.
That tank holds the expansion fluis when the system gets hot.  That fluid will flow back into the radiator as the bike cools down.  If the system is full then the reservoir will have ZERO effect on the cooling ability of the radiator.

The manual just says to check it at normal operating temp, and it should be between the
low and high mark.

And that if the tank becomes completely empty, air might get into the system, and you
need to get it all out... that's the "burping" thing... page 6-6 in the manual...

I'm pretty clueless, so I just run my finger along in the manual and try to
do what it says  ...

Once when it had been a long time since I checked mine (you have to take
the side cover off when the motor is warmed up is my excuse) it was
real low... I burped it like the manual says...

-Mike