[Batgirl]

(I'm a new ZX6R owner.)

My bike was overheating yesterday. What could I do to correct this?
I can't ride it - won't stay cool for long. Overheats quickly.

-the fan is working (I'm going to put in a manual switch)

-thought I would check the thermostat, water pump...

Is there anything else I can do to correct this problem?

I had the rad cap checked. I need a new one. Could this small thing be the problem? just a bad rad cap?
Thanks!

 

[spuk0]

Depends on what the term overheating? I live in Ohio so the temperature can vary greatly. On hot humid summer days if I'm stop and go it will get up to about 220+ I think the fan kicks in ~210-220F. Doesn't run good from dead stop but ok otherwise. Does it heat up on quick trips 3-4 miles? I thought they ran rather hot as well but can't imagine out west or deep south. Must suck. I think bad radiator cap only doesn't pressurize and would leak. If your bike doesn't maintain about ~220- 230 sitting still than I imagine problem with thermostat. Have to look in the manual for specs though.

 

[Human]

I am assuming you have already checked that you have coolant in the reservoir and the oil level is good....

my bike hardly ever heats up, but try riding in a higher gear don't keep the engine at high revs unnecessarily.

Is there anything blocking you rad. ? Clean out your air box, is there something obstructing the nozzles in the ram air up front ?

when you start your bike and rev is after it's warm do you see any white smoke coming from your exhaust ?

is your choke switch working normally ? that is when you close it, does the revs. come back down ?

How old is the bike and how many kms on it ? does it happen everytime you ride ? or just when in heavy traffic ?

let me know...

WMRC Novice Racer #87

www.bcsportbikes.com/cgi-bin/bike.disp/37

 

[Batgirl]

My bike is 1998 with 17000 Km's on it.

-no prob with the choke (revs up and down)
-gets dangerously hot each time I ride. I HAVE to stop. The red light will or has come on.
-Yes, this happened when I was in stop and go traffic. I've only ridden it one day so far and it was 90 degress plus outside. Hot! and Humid.
-It rides fine when I'm moving but once I get into traffic it's cooked.
-I'm going to get the thermostat, etc. checked tonight.
-No black smoke...must be white (have to check)

It was cooler out this morning riding to work - everything was fine.
I'm a bit worried for the ride to the "shop" tonight though. I know it's going to get hot again. (stop and go) I'll try and stay at a constant speed and try to keep the temp down.

It was in an accident (previous owner) (not a bad one) The rad looks like its been hit. But, the fan works, nothings leaking.

The mechanic said it was just my rad cap but I find that hard to believe. I'm thinking the therm or something else is blocked up.

Will keep you posted. Thanks!

 

[-gary]

Mine liked to overheat when it was brand-spanking new, but hasn't since then.

A leaking cap will cause it to overheat. The water needs to be under pressure for it to heat past the boiling point. 212F SL, if I remember right. If the cap's loose, the water will boil and loose it's ability to carry heat to the radiator and out of the engine.

You might just be suprised.

-gary
'02 6R

 

[vito2279]

I have the same problem with overheating especially in traffic but I also live in the deep south.

 

[Batgirl]

I replaced the rad cap, coolant and installed an auxillary fan switch.
So far so good.
Rode today day in 90 degree weather - so far so good.
(but it really hot on your legs!) Is that normally like that?
whew!

 

[diirk]

Batgirl:
Yeah, the bike can get pretty hot on you legs. I'm assuming that you're not wearing shorts. I live in the Mojave Desert, and regularly ride in 100+ temps and haven't had any overheating problems except in stop and go stuff. While these bike do dump the heat on the legs, it's not as bad as some. What ratio did you use for the coolant? Shouldn't be more than half coolant and half water. If you really want to cool it down, you might also try adding some Redline Water Wetter to the mix. That usually do for about a 10 degree drop.
Good luck,
Eric

'99 ZX6R
'02 Raptor
'01 Wolverine
'87 Radian

 

[Batgirl]

Thanks for the tip. I'll check out the coolant.
Nope, never ride in shorts. I'm covered from head to toe