GEN 1 heat issues

[zafota]

Greeting fellow XR owners,

I have a problem with the temp on my gen 1.

When I stop at interesections, the temperature on my guage rises to around 103c (217f). The fan turns on but sometimes the temperature doesnt drop. It just stays at the same temp.

Sometimes it even goes higher to around 105c (221f)

But when I get going agian, it goes back down to 90-95c(194-203f) easily

Also a few weeks ago i has some coolent leak out while i was on stop light.

I did a full coolant replacement and the problem still persists.

Any ideas what could be the issue?
Thanks

[rs87]

This bike runs hot. It's perfectly normal in warmer weather to hit 103 when stopped and idling.

Mine also hovers around 103....the heat is often enough to feel pretty uncomfortable on my lower leg.

I don't think you have a problem.

[wessie]

Sounds normal to me. I had to add some coolant after a trip to France when it hit 43C in my 2016 bike. The hot air coming around my ankles was not great either. That was 2019 and the bike has not exploded yet.

[zafota]

Oh okay.Kind of feels weird to me as.It wasnt like this before.

Before when the fans kick in at 103c, the temp goes down to ~90c

Now even when the fan is on.. it goes up to 105

Has this happened to any of you guys?

[smithy]

Originally Posted by zafota

Oh okay.Kind of feels weird to me as.It wasnt like this before.

Before when the fans kick in at 103c, the temp goes down to ~90c

Now even when the fan is on.. it goes up to 105

Has this happened to any of you guys?

Have you checked the radiator for a partial blockage fom dirt etc...??

Smithy.

[zafota]

Oh yeah there was a lot of dirt stuck on the radiator fins.

Gave it a good clean and will try the bike again this weekend.

Fingers crossed!

[Sausages1212]

Hi
I submitted a post a while ago about a blocked radiator on a gen 1
Thought that some people might be interested in an update.
Firstly though , is it possible you have an air lock?
I decide to take the radiator out as it was so dirty.
So, I soaked with vinegar then gunk then used a needle to get black dried mud from between the fins. I then left it and gently jet washed from both sides. I did this three times and could see more daylight through the rad in places. So, I put it back on
Before, I ran at 82 then in towns , it would do 102, then fan , then 95, then when I got going , it would run about 90.
Now, it is the same apart from it runs at 76, and cools down much quicker once I get going. So, the conclusion is that when air is rushing through it, I can run cooler and can cool it down quicker.
I had a airlock after refilling. But I warmed it up, filled the header bottle, and went for a ride. Once I got back, the header bottle had gone down to minimum mark so half the bottle had gone into the system
Whh hi en the bike is standing still, the radiator is just a vessel until the fan kicks in

[zafota]

Thats great. I will try to check for airlocks.
What was your process on getting the air bubbles out?

[Salish1000]

Something I've done that is well known on the Concours 14 owners group forum is a cocktail of water wetter. Steve in Florida has a post there about how water wetter with only a small amount of antifreeze is the right combination, with mainly distilled water. Makes a noticeable difference on these hot bikes.

[Sausages1212]

Just like I said really. I topped the radiator until full whilst cold, then topped the coolant header tank -(plastic bottle) up to the full mark.
I ran the bike on the centre stand with the rad cap off, until temp was 90 degrees. I then stopped the engine - put the cap on the ran to 100 degrees. I then turned the bike off, then went for a run and when I came back , the fan had kicked in on my journey and the header bottle was down to the low mark. I waited until it cooled down then topped up with antifreeze and that’s it
Not saying it’s the right way but it worked for me??
Main thing is the dirt in the fins .
Just try shoving a needle through some carefully after soaking but it’s much easier with the rad out and on the bench