Overheating or not. ?

[Sidecardon]

 .    Have temperature problem with St1100. gauge needle goes right to the H and past when sitting in heavy traffic , coolant level still at the top mark on Reservoir , fan has been replaced was faulty when bought.  My process of elimination so far has been. Replaced Radiator cap, Thermostat, Temperature switch above housing, Fan temp switch on left side of Radiator. Still gauge reading of the clock when in heavy traffic. Please help. Cheers Don.
 

[ST2UP]

Hmmm  Air lock ??

If its only a stationary issue and thermostat and cap checkout, how about installing an override switch so you can engage the fan earlier when stopped in traffic or at prolonged low speed ??

Doesn't really fix the problem but may help short term ??


 
 

[cravenhaven]

Blocked radiator?. If you take it out yourself it might be possible to have the cores checked for blockage.
You didnt say whether the fan actually comes on when you are sitting in traffic. Try just running the bike at idle in the garage and check to see that the fan switches itself on when the temperature gets high.

[alans1100]

Fan should come on when the temp gauge indication gets a little past the mid point; mine does but it's an indication not an exact reading. In any case the fan should come on before getting to the H point. The fan and the thermo-switch should keep the temp within a specified range while the bike is not moving.

Try just running the bike at idle in the garage and check to see that the fan switches itself on when the temperature gets high.

If while doing this the fan does what it's supposed to do (turn on and off as needed) then maybe your gauge could be faulty.


 

[laurie]

Ive had the same issue with mine for a long time. Even after doing all the right things with the cooling system, and recently replacing the radiator and water pump for a different issue the gauge still reads high. I ended up running the bike in the shed and used an ifra red thermometer to meaure the temp. The temp was fine, despite what the gauge was telling me, so I figured its a faulty gauge.
Laurie

[Brock]

It probably isnt the gauge, but the temp sensor thats faulty. (I dont mean the thermal switch for the fan)

[Sidecardon]

Thanks for the replays, yes have installed fan override switch, made no difference, turn on as soon as a can notice traffic build up. Great idea Temperature inferred.. thermometer have one at work, will check it out cheers Laurie.

[hobs]

You have done the 'first' response things, thermostat, cap, temp switch ect. Go back to basic physics and think about what are all the things that cause overheating in an water cooled engine. You need water, flow, heat dispersion, air flow, sensors to indicate a temperature situation, triggers to start an action. Work through these conditions and you may find the culprit.

[Gadget]

It could be a short or near short in the wire between the sensor and the meter.

I can't remember if the sensor goes low resistance at hot or high resistance at hot. If it is low the short could be to earth if it is high resistance the short could be to a supply (battery/acc) wire.

[Brock]

Quick and easy check, pull the connector off the temp senor. The temp should show dead cold ( or red hot ).

I'm betting on a dud temp sensor