temperature and radiator wings

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zipster
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#31

Post by zipster »

So it looks like it's a fairly straightforward check to see if the thermostat is working. Any way to confirm if the water pump is working properly i.e. pumping water?
-zipster
~Don't skin yer knuckles whatever you do.

1977 GL1000
1986 BMW K100RS flying brick
1975 Yamaha RD350
1978 Vespa P200e
1979 Lambretta Jet200
1986 Honda Helix
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#32

Post by rcmatt007 »

water pumps usually never stop pumping, the seals go bad and they start leaking.

I had a thermostat on our 1200 that started to only open half way and I had symptoms like you describe
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#33

Post by Track T 2411 »

The water pump is mechanical, and will pretty much keep 'pumping' even after the seals fail. It probably does lose efficiency, though. The easiest check for the water pump is to pop off the lower radiator hose housing, which exposes the front of the pump. The pump would have very little rotational play, and no side-to-side/up and down movement. Generally speaking, when the seal(s) fail on the pump, oil and/or coolant will leak out the weep hole below the water pump, indicating failure.
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#34

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Had one of these chrome aftermarket grills on my '85 LTD as well. Measured the chrome centre runs and found that there is a 20% reduction in air flow area because of this. Need all the cooling surface and air flow possible with the 1200 GW rads that are the "high efficiency" rad designed to provide adequate cooling at highway speeds, not so when at slower speeds and in town riding.

Cheers
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1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
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zipster
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#35

Post by zipster »

I ran the bike today with the radiator cap off. I see no indication of circulation at all. Ran it until the temp gauge was starting to register. Nothing. Should I see movement, even before the thermostat should open?
-zipster
~Don't skin yer knuckles whatever you do.

1977 GL1000
1986 BMW K100RS flying brick
1975 Yamaha RD350
1978 Vespa P200e
1979 Lambretta Jet200
1986 Honda Helix
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#36

Post by Easter »

I don't think you are going to be able to tell anything from that. The drive for the water pump is mechanical so very very unlikely to fail. Seals will fail and possibly the rotor blades might fail but it would be rare indeed. Maybe it is time to pull the radiator and flush the system with a water hose in the inlet (top, no thermostat) and water the driveway. You can also pull the bottom cover (seals with an O ring) and check for both rotation and lateral movement of the water pump blades. Early style were bake-a-light but most have been replaced with metal rotors. If it is the "plastic" type it should be replaced anyway.
Bikes at present:

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And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#37

Post by zipster »

Thanks Easter,
I pulled the cover and the pump is spinning just fine (metal blades). I either have blockage or it's the thermostat.
Thanks,
Zipster
~Don't skin yer knuckles whatever you do.

1977 GL1000
1986 BMW K100RS flying brick
1975 Yamaha RD350
1978 Vespa P200e
1979 Lambretta Jet200
1986 Honda Helix
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#38

Post by Easter »

Run some water from your garden hose into the top hose inlet or into the radiator and let it flow for a while. Should be clear.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#39

Post by rcmatt007 »

sure sounds like a thermostat that is not opening, or all the way
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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BikeMaine
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#40

Post by BikeMaine »

I don't have any wings on my '82 1100. Last summer I took a 2,500 mile trip in 9 days, in the 90's every day, tons of highway driving. Temps stayed fine.
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desertrefugee
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#41

Post by desertrefugee »

Come to Arizona a ride it for a while... ;)
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
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rcmatt007
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#42

Post by rcmatt007 »

desertrefugee wrote:Come to Arizona a ride it for a while... ;)
but it is a dry heat lolol
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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zipster
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#43

Post by zipster »

So, replaced the thermostat. Flushed everything. Verified pump rotation. All back together and still runs hot according to the gauge. Starting to think my 7v regulator may be a bit off. Shot it with an IR gun, and at the oil filter housing I'm seeing 137 degrees F with the gauge at it's midpoint. I'll shoot it again when the gauge is reading hot.
Ideas?
Cheers,
Zipster
~Don't skin yer knuckles whatever you do.

1977 GL1000
1986 BMW K100RS flying brick
1975 Yamaha RD350
1978 Vespa P200e
1979 Lambretta Jet200
1986 Honda Helix
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#44

Post by Track T 2411 »

If you have an IR tester, check the temp at the radiator hose right at the thermostat housing. That's going to give you the most accurate coolant temp, which is what you want to know. On my 1100 Interstate, I can watch the gauge drop (slowly, sometimes) when the thermostat initially opens, as well as when the fan kicks on. Operating properly, on very hot days, with the fan running constantly, my actual coolant temp, measured right in the coolant at the radiator fill neck, is just under 200 degrees F. The gauge reads just under half, lol!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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zipster
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Re: temperature and radiator wings

#45

Post by zipster »

Thanks, Track. So if it's 200F at the thermostat housing, it would indicate a blockage or something else going on? My fan doesn't kick on until the gauge is almost all the way to the right. Not sure where it should be kicking on....
Cheers,
Zipster
~Don't skin yer knuckles whatever you do.

1977 GL1000
1986 BMW K100RS flying brick
1975 Yamaha RD350
1978 Vespa P200e
1979 Lambretta Jet200
1986 Honda Helix
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