Thermostat or water pump ?

[sixlow]

Took the 98 Tourer out last night and noticed more heat than usual coming at me, 8 miles to stop and can't even touch the valve covers, they are hot, let her cool for an hour and limp her home, no fan, valve covers are hot. Searched last night and this morning on here to find procedure to test fan. Fuse is good, jump the fan wire and she works, check overflow res and she was at low so I added to upper mark. High temp light never came on last night either, not that we trust that dummy. So with rad cap removed I start her up, slow rise in level till it over flows slowly, only an ounce or two, about 4 or 5 minutes of running and valve covers getting hot and radiator not really hot, coolant getting warm and slight swirl visible in rad but not very much movement there, fan doesn't come on so I jump it and no real difference. I suspect the fan temp sensor never got hot enough to kick the fan on if the thermostat is stuck closed or slightly open. Valve covers became to hot to touch again so I shut her down, coolant slowly lowers in rad just below cap bottom. I see some guys have verified water pump is working but not sure how they test it ? Is that done after disassembly of pump cover ? any thing else I need to check whilst still holding coolant ?

[Firefighter]

I don't think you have a problem. The valve covers get very hot in a hurry and stay that way for a long time after the engine is shut off. If I ride mine and warm it up completely, then stop and leave it idling, it probably takes 4 or 5 minutes for the fan to come on. Guessing on the time could be less, but it doesn't take long. The fan will cycle on and off after that.  Firefighter

[sixlow]

Could be you are right, I found out while jumping the fan that these HID lights pictured get very hot and I just put these Baker wings back on and in this position would send the heat from these lights right back on me as well as more heat from the motor just from the wings no matter what position or angle I run them at.  Maybe I just need to search for a cooler or no heat LED light. But later I will test the heat  compared to the standard I have. I still wonder how to test for good water pump or thermostat operation.

[Firefighter]

I have a temperature, volt, and oil gauge on my 2000 IS so I never have to wonder what is going on. I also installed two little led green lights that tell me my cooling fan is on. I ride by myself and the gauges keep me happy, so If I smell or hear something different I can verify I have oil, coolant, and the alternator is still working.
I changed my two 50 watt halogen driving lights for led equivalent, not for heat reasons but for amperage. When at a stop I could see my voltage drop, but after changing to led, I can't tell they are on amp wise, and they are the same brightness.  Firefighter

[sandy]

Test WP and T'stat: Start with cold engine. Start up and put your finger at the radiator where the cap is. When the stat opens, it'll get hot fast.

[sixlow]

Thanks, sounds kinda like a physical, turn her bars left and cough !