When should the fan kick in?

[AxeGrinder]

Had a bit of a coincidence happen yesterday evening...

I went to Preston to pick up some bits from my new hero, Colt...

These included an oil temp guage, which was fitted there and then...

On the way back to Wirral, in Southport, I got stuck at a particularly long traffic light...due to the speedo sensor issue, the bike sat at the light for a few minutes, idleing at 2000rpm...as we moved away when said light turned green, I got a new red light...the temperature light illuminated.

I pulled over, and the new temp sensor noted that oil temp was about 94degC

I let the bike cool down for 20 mins before moving off again, and got home (gently) without further issues.

However...I'm concerned that the fan did not kick in when the light came on.

This afternoon, whilst rigorously following the instructions for oil change, I left the bike idleing (now at 1500rpm with new sensor...(thanks for all your info fellas, and particularly my new HERO COLT )) to bring it up to temp before adding the final 0.3L of oil. At 60degC (indicated on oil temp guage) the temp light came on again...I'm not too concerned about this, as there was no air moving through the rad for cooling.

What I am concerned about is that the fan did not kick in at all, either time the light came on...

I tested the fan with 12v from the battery, this afternoon, and it works fine...

At what temp should the fan kick in I'd have thought it woudl starrt before the temp light comes on

Any info would be apreciated, as I'm off to sunny Italy on hte bike next weekend, and not keen on the idea of the heat getting to the engine

 

[John Armstrong]

Bit of background. I do just over 35 miles each way each day to work. 95% is on motorway. Coming home as long as it isn't raining and I can cruise at 5000 rpm the oil temp gauge has read up to 100 deg c with an OAT of 30 deg c. 90 deg c is a "normal" oil temp if it's not as warm.

After about 3 miles of 30 mph running I'm home and the oil temp is showing about 80 deg c, the fan will probably be running after a couple of minutes at 1500 rpm idling.

Never ever seen the temp light apart from when you switch the ignition on prior to engine start.

BTW the oil temp gauge gives a good indication of oil level, if it's too low, it doesn't seem to show as high a temp

HTH

 

[rc mad]

The oil temp may only be 60 degrees but the coolant temperature (what the fan cools) may be higher. Can you spin the fan easily by hand? guessing so as it 's working with power applied. Are all the fuses (fan fuse is the third from left) ok? Check the connection to the bms unit as well, looking at the wiring diagrams the fan is controlled through it.

looks like the coolant temperature sensor powers it, left side of bike next to the thermostat, that may have gone bad / unplugged. Can't find what lights up the temp light tho

Only other thing could be the waterpump on its way out , the oil still looks like oil doesn't it (not like coffee ) and the coolant level is still ok. Another sign is coolant leaking from the under the water pump (front l/h side of engine)

Good luck

I have all this still to come at some point

 

[AxeGrinder]

The oil temp may only be 60 degrees but the coolant temperature (what the fan cools) may be higher. Can you spin the fan easily by hand? guessing so as it 's working with power applied. Are all the fuses (fan fuse is the third from left) ok? Check the connection to the bms unit as well, looking at the wiring diagrams the fan is controlled through it.

looks like the coolant temperature sensor powers it, left side of bike next to the thermostat, that may have gone bad / unplugged. Can't find what lights up the temp light tho

Only other thing could be the waterpump on its way out , the oil still looks like oil doesn't it (not like coffee ) and the coolant level is still ok. Another sign is coolant leaking from the under the water pump (front l/h side of engine)

Good luck

I have all this still to come at some point

Checked fuses...all OK....had BMS connector off last weekend and all seemed fine there...will check again.

No coolant issues...oil is clean (I just changed it today, and old oil was dirty but fine...no emusification.

I have had emulsified oil from the krank case breather pipe...but I think this has been caused by a blocked breather...which may have unblocked itself recently... (see "gooey breather" thread). The 04 bike registered in 05, had only 12000 miles on it, so may have stood for some time prior to my purchase...hence the blockage...however, this is pure conjecture

I did notice yesterday that temp light flashes 3 times after key is turned...I think it used to just light up fo a short period and then go out...looks like that could be a sensor issue...

I'm about to check up on that on the US FAQ site...

 

[AxeGrinder]

Good luck

I have all this still to come at some point

Your wish of luck worked!

Pulled the temp sensor, gave it a clean...pulled and remade some connections...ran the bike up to 70degC on (the oh so sweet 1500rpm idle) and no temp light. Fan ran from 40degC (oil temp) with static bike and I'm now happy that me n Dak MIGHT kust make the trip to Misano and back

Also fitted me new (conventional) 12v power adaptor in the dash

Just have to fit fork seals, new rear TKC and Vals panniers when they arrive...sorted

Will be able to test ride tomorrow after have completrd the above chores and reassembled the bike



Cheers fellas

 

[VAL. H.]

Your wish of luck worked!

Pulled the temp sensor, gave it a clean...pulled and remade some connections...ran the bike up to 70degC on (the oh so sweet 1500rpm idle) and no temp light. Fan ran from 40degC (oil temp) with static bike and I'm now happy that me n Dak MIGHT kust make the trip to Misano and back

Also fitted me new (conventional) 12v power adaptor in the dash

Just have to fit fork seals, new rear TKC and Vals panniers when they arrive...sorted

Will be able to test ride tomorrow after have completrd the above chores and reassembled the bike



Cheers fellas

Tracking tells me you should get them on Monday


Val.

 

[Colt]

i am a hero eh?
well i am too good to you guys

see the temp guage just gives you more to think about
glad it sorted .
check your wiring harness for obvious sharp bends and tight tiewraps.
they sometimes cause problems.
on jo's scarver the fan wiring harness was broken.

 

[rc mad]

yep, colt is a hero Glad i helped tho

btw you sure its the temp light flashing three times? If you have abs it might well be that.
My abs light would flash three times on startup, turns out the wires going into the abs switch on the bars had come un-soldered and shorted together. Doesn't affect the brakes at all, just disabled abs. Quick 5 minutes with a soldering iron and an extra couple of inches on the wires and it's as good as new.

Btw, the dakar will make it just like mines going to take me upto scotland for 5 days next weekend, i'm more concerned with the fact that i may get a puncture than the rest of the bike.

 

[AxeGrinder]

Your wish of luck worked!

Pulled the temp sensor, gave it a clean...pulled and remade some connections...ran the bike up to 70degC on (the oh so sweet 1500rpm idle) and no temp light. Fan ran from 40degC (oil temp) with static bike and I'm now happy that me n Dak MIGHT kust make the trip to Misano and back



Cheers fellas

Spoke a bit too soon...

Took it out for a test ride...not very far...just about 5 miles or so...

Whilst traveling slowly on New Brighton prom...I got the light again (RC...it is the red light with a picture of a thermometer on it)

So..let it cool down a bit n headed home for a scratch of head session...

Figured it must be coolant...despite the correct level etc...

Seems it was...

Pulled the rad cap off and ran it up a bit so I could see the coolant moving...after a while...it started to bubble over...not from heat tho...there must have been an air lock developed sometime on way back home from Peston (which is what I was hoping for)...topped it up after it settled down replaced cap and left it idling for a while...

Ran it up to 90deg on the oil guage, and no light...fans working fine...and now crossing fingers for ride to work tomorrow.

The good part is, it was only heating up at low speed or stationary...
SO I GUESS I HAVE TO GO FAST!!! Just as well it's a Dak...or I'll be losing my license

But why should the bike develop an air lock whilst being ridden a fair distance at good speeds?

 

[John Armstrong]

The good part is, it was only heating up at low speed or stationary...
SO I GUESS I HAVE TO GO FAST!!! Just as well it's a Dak...or I'll be losing my license

But why should the bike develop an air lock whilst being ridden a fair distance at good speeds?

Have a look at my posts about oil temp indications and speed.

I'd be checking the coolant level a few times before I went on a long trip

As well as the oil

 

[rc mad]

When i did the 12k service on mine i ended up having to squeeze the pipes repeatedly to get the correct ammount of coolant into the system, perhaps it was an airlock in the system from the last service

That is a bit of a long shot tho. But its the only thing i can think of other than a leak which you'd have seen and the oveflow tank would have shown a lower level.

 

[AxeGrinder]

Have a look at my posts about oil temp indications and speed.

I'd be checking the coolant level a few times before I went on a long trip

As well as the oil

Have taken note of your figures, cheers John...and yes...I shall be keeping an eye on things very closely this week!

When i did the 12k service on mine i ended up having to squeeze the pipes repeatedly to get the correct ammount of coolant into the system, perhaps it was an airlock in the system from the last service

That is a bit of a long shot tho. But its the only thing i can think of other than a leak which you'd have seen and the oveflow tank would have shown a lower level.

Well...I don't know when the last service was done...I got the bike with 13000 on it...I've put on another 3000 since then...one would think it would have shown up earlier

Anyhow...Cheers everyone...and I'm sure I'll have more questions before I leave in a little over 6 days on my first continental adventure...

I must be getting old tho...there was a time (about 12 years ago)when just getting on my 1982 CB900 and riding 1500 miles to Las Vegas and then back across Death Valley seemed like nothing I guess it must have something to do with being back on an Island!

 

[AxeGrinder]

Have taken note of your figures, cheers John...and yes...I shall be keeping an eye on things very closely this week!

I definitely spoke too soon...head gasket is blown!!!

Not panicking yet...just ordered a new one from Motorworks, along with a new temp sensor...

Can I change the gasket without pulling the motor out? Is there room above the motor? Guessing there should be...but taking rest of day off work to start sorting it!

Back on a reliable VFR tomorrow...

I really could do without all this sh1t tho

 

[John Armstrong]

Think you need to look here: http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/Head_Gasket_Repl.htm

Do the trip to Italy.

Then flog the F650 on ebay. Not that I'd do that sort of thing, probably ask a F650 independant workshop to breath some magic on it

 

[rc mad]

jesus, how did you find out that it'd gone

There is room to do it with the motor in situ, just the ammount of crap you have to remove to get to it. How is it going anyway

 

[AxeGrinder]

jesus, how did you find out that it'd gone

Overzealous paranioia!

See "Air Lock" thread

Cheers RC

 

[Colt]

heck you are having your share of work on this bike.
well i dont have a spare engine (anymore).
good luck.

 

[AxeGrinder]

heck you are having your share of work on this bike.
well i dont have a spare engine (anymore).
good luck.

Confidence is high....have you found that TT tank we talked about

 

[Colt]

not yet ,it must be under some other bits
well at least you are learning quickly.
watercooled bikes are great sometimes eh.
at this rate next step will be the radiator next

 

[rc mad]

hey colt, you don't happen to have another set of tt tanks kicking about do you