Problems with my GS

[kulanaz]

Hello Guys,
I hope you are well. I have two problems with my f650 gs (2002 m.) and hope you can help me sort it out or at least point it to the right direction
1. Bike over is heating. So I checked a cooling liquid level and added some more because it was missing. It helped for few days and then temperatures indicator lighted up again... I repeat a procedure but I am sure that water is disappearing from the system but I can't figure out there... I fill water straight to radiator, because it wont take it from cooling tank.
2. Second Problem is that some time it is very hard to start my bike. Some times I have to spin starter for 5 min or so. I thought that it can be an Air flow sensor and i disconnected it and bike started nice. But a thing is that this tick do not work ever time. Sometimes with or without air flow sensor bike do not start for 5 min... Sometimes Starter makes horrible sound but I don't think it is connected.
I hope you will be able to help me.

 

[flatdog]

Sounds like both your issues may be related.
Bad starting/taking a long time to start.
Head gasket probably has gone.
Any milkiness in the oil? means coolant mayn be leaking into the oil system.
If you can get it running check whether bubbles are appearing where you fill the radiator (must be cold or you may burn yourself)
If there is no sign of coolant loss on the floor then you probably have a leak between compression and coolant and its going out the exhaust - and the compression may be leaking into your coolant system hence the bubbles.

You may find both milky oil and bubbling radiotor. - Hopefully just the head gasket.

Spinning the starter for long periods can knacker it too or knacker the battery. - loud machine gun knocking sound when you press the button = flat battery.

If the head gasket is gone and your coolant system is subjected to compression pressures then the next thing to pop will be the radiator, so don't run it long.

 

[kulanaz]

Thank you, for your reply. I was thinking that head gasket could be causing a problem a well. Just hoped maybe some one will know a magic trick

 

[Timolgra]

1. Check the weep hole under the water pump, make sure it's clear of dirt and if that's where your coolant loss is from (common).

2. These bikes need a tip top battery, also try doing a full 'throttle re set'.

 

[kulanaz]

Thank you for your advice. A starter is spinning fine but some times it makes horrible sound, as well some time it makes horrible sound then I turn an engine off , but most of the time it is fine ( no horrible sound ). When I just bought a bike I was able to find a 'milk shake' under a oil tanks cap. Milk shake went away, but I think it is because I use water instead of coolant now.

 

[Dansin]

Horrible noise when starting - could be the sprag clutch on the way out.

 

[flatdog]

Thank you for your advice. A starter is spinning fine but some times it makes horrible sound, as well some time it makes horrible sound then I turn an engine off , but most of the time it is fine ( no horrible sound ). When I just bought a bike I was able to find a 'milk shake' under a oil tanks cap. Milk shake went away, but I think it is because I use water instead of coolant now.

Milkshake under filler cap = lots of short trips. Long trips evaporates the moisture inside the crankcase.
Don't use just water in the cooling system, use the correct spec.

 

[kulanaz]

i would use a proper coolant but at this point it seems like waste of money, because i have to refill it every second week. So first step is to try to replace a gasket? the air flow sensor could not interfere with hard starting? Sprag cluch - what is this thing? Is it possible with little knowledge an loads of youtube and literature to change gasket by my self? I do understand that I will gave to buy a lot of tools.

 

[flatdog]

With all due respect, regarding your mechanical inspirations, doing this yourself may not be the cheapest way or fixing your bike. You may have a cracked head or block and changing the head gasket only won't fix it.
Or as Tim says it may be the water pump on its way out.

Get a local independent or 2 to have a look and quote you.
I'd certainly go this route.

 

[snelly]

If at some time it has been used without proper coolant, the head being aluminium could well have coroded and may be leaking. Fixing this will need a head skim to correct which is not a home do job. There's nothing wrong with taking it apart yourself if you have the skill and the confidence to do this. But to be safe i think i would take it in. All the best.

 

[kulanaz]

Thank you Guys for your help. I found a local old guy hwo helped me with all work. So head gasket is changed now and bike start it should. We found where head hasket was blown. Many thanks again for your support and knowledge