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Help What makes a bike run hot?

Discussion in 'Kawasaki 250cc In-line 4's' started by Adam Giles, Jun 11, 2017.

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  1. Adam Giles

    Adam Giles Well-Known Member

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    OK, my zxr250a is running hot and I'm struggling to get to the bottom of it.
    I have a 250c and have previously had an a so I kind of know the bikes a bit.
    I live in Scotland so the weather isn't an issue. The bike starts, idles and revs fine.
    If I take it out for a run the temp gauge hardly moves (as is normal on these bikes) but as soon as I hit some lights or traffic the gauge heads up to the middle and the fan comes on.
    My previous a model only once switched the fan on while stuck in traffic on a very hot day. My c model has also only once switched the fan on after a good ride out on a hot day, the temp gauge also hardly ever moves.
    So basically, I'm looking for a list of things that might be causing this, and ways to rule them out...
    Thanks.

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    Adam Giles, Jun 11, 2017
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  2. Rossco_Perth

    Rossco_Perth Confirmed Tinkerer :)

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    Failing water pump
    Failed thermostat

    Check those first


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    Rossco_Perth, Jun 11, 2017
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  3. Adam Giles

    Adam Giles Well-Known Member

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    Thermostat in pan now.
    How do I test the water pump?
    Have opened it up and all looks like new.

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    Adam Giles, Jun 11, 2017
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  4. Adam Giles

    Adam Giles Well-Known Member

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    Thermostat looks good... c2a1e62b22fa65544d43486f87e29a02.jpg

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    Adam Giles, Jun 11, 2017
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  5. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Is your radiator clogged up ? There far plenty of products out there that flush your cooling system
     
    kiffsta, Jun 11, 2017
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  6. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Reverse flush your radiator and engine with garden hose to clear any muck that may be in the system.
    Is the engine running lean at all?
     
    Murdo, Jun 11, 2017
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  7. Adam Giles

    Adam Giles Well-Known Member

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    Ran a bottle of Wynns rad flush through today. Came out clean and clear.

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    Adam Giles, Jun 11, 2017
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  8. Adam Giles

    Adam Giles Well-Known Member

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    How would I tell if it's running lean? It runs fine, even when hot.

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    Adam Giles, Jun 11, 2017
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  9. Cbuzz

    Cbuzz Well-Known Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    There's nothing to list. Your temps & bike behavior is very normal. My A model does the exact same thing & has always done it. It heats up at the lights because there is no wind flowing through the radiator. There is coolant flowing through the radiator but no wind to cool it (until you start riding again or the fan comes on).

    It only ever happens when I stop at the lights on a hot day do I see the temps creeping up & the fan come on. Nothing to worry about.

    If it heats up to the point where it stops running &/or overheats (in the redzone) then you've got a problem. Otherwise, ride & forget about it.
     
    Cbuzz, Jun 11, 2017
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  10. Rossco_Perth

    Rossco_Perth Confirmed Tinkerer :)

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    Mine never gets above 1/2 scale, the fan cycles in & out every few minutes at idle once it's up to temp.

    It could be a lazy fan switch cutting the fan in later than it should?


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    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Well said! Well said! x 1
    Rossco_Perth, Jun 11, 2017
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  11. Adam Giles

    Adam Giles Well-Known Member

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    It heats up and comes on even on very cold days (in Glasgow). It never overheats as the fan keeps it at about halfway up temp gauge. Maybe it's just the bike... Just feels too hot, especially compared to the other zxr250s I've had.

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    Adam Giles, Jun 11, 2017
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  12. Adam Giles

    Adam Giles Well-Known Member

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    Fan comes on at the right point, just seems to get to that point faster than my other zxrs.

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    Adam Giles, Jun 11, 2017
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  13. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    The radiator fins might be clogged. If you can't see light through it when shining a torch through it or holding it up to a light source, it probably needs a good scrub and blast with the hose.
     
    Linkin, Jun 11, 2017
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  14. Adam Giles

    Adam Giles Well-Known Member

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    Rad looks fairly clear. A few bugs stuck in there but not clogged. Difficult to get a pic but you can see what I mean. Will give it blast anyway next time I see a jet wash.
    9d0d9b16bf76365d8fa2a3f2c9658211.jpg

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    Adam Giles, Jun 11, 2017
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  15. Rossco_Perth

    Rossco_Perth Confirmed Tinkerer :)

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    Don't use a high pressure sprayer!

    That'll flatten all the fins out.

    Lower pressure from a garden hose is safer - spray it from the back not the front


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    • Agree Agree x 1
    Rossco_Perth, Jun 11, 2017
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  16. Adam Giles

    Adam Giles Well-Known Member

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    So refilled with motul coolant and started her up. Starts and runs fine. Let her idle in the garage to get the fluid moving through and to check for any leaks. Sat on idle for about 23 minutes before fan kicked in.

    Just letting her cool down and I'll go back and check fluid levels.

    If it stops raining, I might get a chance to give her a test run.

    6ad5273226567157a16e22a01352d804.jpg
     
    Adam Giles, Jun 11, 2017
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  17. Rossco_Perth

    Rossco_Perth Confirmed Tinkerer :)

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    Did you bleed the air out of the system using the bleeder near the water pump & the one above the thermostat?


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    Rossco_Perth, Jun 11, 2017
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  18. Adam Giles

    Adam Giles Well-Known Member

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    Used the one above waterpump. Never been able to find the one near thermostat. Does it look like a standard bleed nipple?

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    Adam Giles, Jun 11, 2017
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  19. Rossco_Perth

    Rossco_Perth Confirmed Tinkerer :)

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    Looks like a bolt


    dcfb06f66fdb8531d5fe3fc0799b4371.jpg

    The top centre bolt in that image


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    Rossco_Perth, Jun 11, 2017
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  20. Adam Giles

    Adam Giles Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. Will have a look once she cools down.

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    Adam Giles, Jun 11, 2017
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