HOT bike

hop along · July 10, 2014, 11:27:55 AM

Quote from: v4_jeff on July 10, 2014, 11:08:21 AM

Last thing - cooling a hot engine by spraying water over it can cause damage. Sudden cooling of overheating engines can cause metal warping as part of the engine cools quickly and contracts while other parts remain hot and more pliable. The effects of this damage are usually pretty immediately noticeable, so you probably haven't screwed anything up, but best to not do that anymore.

Crap for crap. Didn't even think about that.

Thanks for the radiator filling tip.

Scott

hop along · July 10, 2014, 08:42:27 PM

Just put the old oil back into the original container (which still had the leftover). It returned to just .275 Liters below the original amount, so that, to me, is another sign that coolant isn't getting into the wrong place. Also no white smoke or steam .

Jeff I did do the radiator fill 'Jeff Method' but the only time there was an obvious level drop in coolant at the radiator fill cap, cap off, was momentarily at startup. After nearly 10 minutes fan hadn't come on yet either but I could feel the heat.
I did enjoy watching the swirling motion of the coolant though.

Scott

v4_jeff · July 11, 2014, 09:06:51 AM

I'd say note the levels both in the radiator and overflow tank, ride it for a few days and see how it behaves or if the levels drop. If the level does drop, top it off and see if it does it again. It's possible that there is still air trapped in the system, but it should work its way out.

I think it'd be worth it to get a new radiator cap. If the spec is 15psi and it's only holding 8, that could allow too much coolant to escape to the overflow tank, and maybe even overflow from the overflow tank. With such a small coolant capacity, that can have pretty drastic effects.

Are you going to try the trip? If so, just stop frequently at first to keep an eye on the levels, refill as necessary. You don't have to worry about freezing this time of year, so you can just run straight water. It would be good to run distilled water to prevent mineral deposits but it's not critical so any hose or bottle will do for top-offs. Just make sure to replace it with the proper antifreeze and distilled water mix when you get all this figured out.

hop along · July 11, 2014, 09:44:18 AM

Quote from: v4_jeff on July 11, 2014, 09:06:51 AM

I think it'd be worth it to get a new radiator cap. If the spec is 15psi and it's only holding 8, that could allow too much coolant to escape to the overflow tank, and maybe even overflow from the overflow tank. With such a small coolant capacity, that can have pretty drastic effects.

Jeff, We are still planning on leaving tomorrow. I need karma to help; Terry has a new toolbag on its way to me I don't want loose tools bouncing around in a ziplock bag fro 2 weeks!!! Tracking says it is in town... just need the USPS to come through for me. I knew I should've ordered a day earlier... but I digress.

In a visit back to Autozone, they visually matched the radiator cap with one they had in stock, unpackaged. Looked brand new. It fit perfect. Both have a very obvious number stamp on top: 1.1 And since they didn't know where it came from nor how much to charge... they let me have it for free

SO I am trying that out as a start. And bringing the old cap along.

Our first day of travel is Norman, OK-Springfield, MO. And we are leaving before sunrise. So as to ease into the trip. And in Springfield we are staying with friends who have both a well stocked tool barn and a spare bike as our plan B ... a BMW K100. It only has twice the mileage my bike has (which is to say about 275,000 miles!)

I am also considering stopping tonight for some 'Water Wetter' or Royal Purple Purple Ice. A few posts elsewhere in the forum have had decent remarks about their use in helping things run cooler.

I am also hoping today to order a new thermostat for good measure. Only about $35. Have any idea if an auto thermostat would work so I don't have to wait for a Honda dealer to come through with one? I'm not about to take it off and see if there is a match. I'm not yet *that* desparate....

Scott

v4_jeff · July 11, 2014, 01:10:31 PM

The 1.1 stamp indicates pressure in atmospheres - 1.1 bar. 1 bar = 14.3 PSI, so that sounds about right. If it fits, I don't see why it wouldn't work. It's probably the same cap, same manufacturer, etc. Same goes with thermostats. A thermostat is a thermostat typically, as long as it fits, rated for the same temperature range, has similar passage cutouts, and similar valve lift, it should work fine. There are some more intricacies with thermostat fit though, so make sure you've got a good match. Also make sure you put it in the right way. Backwards thermostats suck (experience talking).

Water Wetter and Purple Ice are both good products which I've used and can confirm that they work well, but you can cheap out and do it DIY style. Put a single drop of dish soap and a tablespoon of isopropyl rubbing alcohol directly into the radiator. The dish soap breaks down the surface tension of the water allowing it to make better contact with the metal surfaces of the radiator core and coolant passages for more efficient heat transfer. The alcohol keeps the soap from forming suds and foam. Water Wetter and Purple Ice use about the same amounts of a more pure form of glycerin and alcohol, most of the bottle is just distilled water with a little coloring for Royal Purple and Redline branding. I've used the DIY soap and alcohol mix in all of my vehicles for well over 10 years. As an added benefit, the soap will help to suppress corrosion, galvanization, and mineral deposits, and it'll be piney fresh (not really)!

Good luck with the trip, hope it goes without incident!

Jerry G Turner · July 11, 2014, 01:53:15 PM

I think there is a link in the FAQ section for thermostates. Jeff great tip on the dish soap I am fixin to go do that to my bike.

v4_jeff · July 11, 2014, 02:14:13 PM

Quote from: Jerry G Turner on July 11, 2014, 01:53:15 PM
Jeff great tip on the dish soap I am fixin to go do that to my bike.

Just remember the rubbing alcohol, need it to suppress the foam.

Jerry G Turner · July 11, 2014, 02:40:02 PM

A magna foaming at the mouth might frighten the other bikes off. lol

hop along · July 11, 2014, 02:49:55 PM

Quote from: Jerry G Turner on July 11, 2014, 01:53:15 PM
I think there is a link in the FAQ section for thermostates. Jeff great tip on the dish soap I am fixin to go do that to my bike.

Paging Terry... Linky on Magna FAQ isn't linking, for thermostat cross reference chart

hop along · July 11, 2014, 02:56:29 PM

Quote from: Jerry G Turner on July 11, 2014, 02:40:02 PM
A magna foaming at the mouth might frighten the other bikes off. lol

Jerry I'll let you try that first. Just be sure to share pics

I wonder if I could make Dawn soap foam blue to match my bike. That would rock!

Hop Along

TLRam1 · July 11, 2014, 05:43:59 PM

I have been working on info for the thermostat the last hour, I have no links but did have old notes from someone, I know who but do not know if this info references the Gen 3 Magna or an earlier model.

Something tells me an earlier model and I had no way to verify it or I would have put it up earlier.

I had to split the Magna FAQ Section into two parts due to a character limit.

TLRam1 · July 11, 2014, 07:26:12 PM

I have more info from the same person on Air Filter Cross Reference and it relates to the earlier Magna/Sabre so I am thinking the other notes I had are for the same time period bikes.

Jerry G Turner · July 11, 2014, 08:51:56 PM

The only other issue we haven't talked about is the water pump however most of the time if it goes bad it will start leaking. Just something to think about. Hope your trip goes smoothly.

hop along · July 11, 2014, 08:57:36 PM

Thanks Jerry!

I've had some visits with AutoZone and ORiellys, might have some thermostat part numbers, but don't know for sure. They didn't have them in stock so we weren't able to do a real comparison; they also don't have specs about full open temperature and valve opening distance.

Scott

hop along · July 13, 2014, 05:54:58 PM

Trip is going well, in Murray, KY after two days of hot riding. bike is doing well, haven't seen the overheating light on at all. Other than at bike startup anywyas!
I think mostly the filling the radiator and new radiator cap has made the most difference, along with Jeff's DIY additive. Looked at the thermostat cross-fit part number just for fun (ha!) that Terry had up on teh FAQ page, but indeed it must be a first or second gen fit-quite obvious it didn't have a chance of fitting the third gen thermostat-it was bigger than teh housing! Still going to track one down before returning though... I feel like it is a safety blanket

Another friend also suggested using Premium gas. I know our bike doesn't require jtop shelf, but I'm also trying to use 89 or 91 gas while its hot. Hoping the 'cold front' hits us soon!

Hop Along