nswizard
Well-Known Member
Hi guys,
few days ago my vmax '97 started to heat up more quickly and during the ride temp arrow went between 1/2 and red zone. It was around 12deg C (50F) outside and I could feel the heat from the engine.
Before, it was around 1/3 position when I am on open road (even if it is 35deg C outside) (Only when I hit some heavy traffic it goes close to red, fan starts to spin and engine cools down to 1/2.)
Today I did some testing with IR thermometer and got some facts:
1. It was 20 degrees outside
2. It took 15 minutes in idle to heat up from 18 to 98 deg C (208F) (measured near the spark plug)
3. On bottom side of radiator it was 95deg C (203F)
4. On top side of radiator and on metal housing under the right side cover it was 70deg C (158F)
5. Engine temperature reached 105deg C (221F) (again measured near the spark plug) and fan still did not start.
6. Engine temperature reached 110deg (230F) when I turned off engine before it melts down.
7.I am 100% sure that for same temp gauge position engine was much cooler before.
8. It started to happen out of nowhere. One day all is ok, next one it is not.
9. No cold spots on radiator.
10. Coolant level is normal.
11. There are no signs of mixing oil and water.
I would say that thermostat works ok since temperature on bottom side of radiator is almost the same as engine temp.
Not sure if temperature difference on radiator is because it dissipates heat or because it is dirty and coolant does not flow.
Also, like 1 week ago I had to clean carbs because one cylinder was not working well. All carbs are synced now and all spark plugs have nice gray color. Temperature on cylinder that had issues (left rear) is 5-10 degrees lower then on other 3. After sync I had few rides and all was ok, no problems with temperature.
Would appreciate your thoughts before I start buying parts.
Vlada
few days ago my vmax '97 started to heat up more quickly and during the ride temp arrow went between 1/2 and red zone. It was around 12deg C (50F) outside and I could feel the heat from the engine.
Before, it was around 1/3 position when I am on open road (even if it is 35deg C outside) (Only when I hit some heavy traffic it goes close to red, fan starts to spin and engine cools down to 1/2.)
Today I did some testing with IR thermometer and got some facts:
1. It was 20 degrees outside
2. It took 15 minutes in idle to heat up from 18 to 98 deg C (208F) (measured near the spark plug)
3. On bottom side of radiator it was 95deg C (203F)
4. On top side of radiator and on metal housing under the right side cover it was 70deg C (158F)
5. Engine temperature reached 105deg C (221F) (again measured near the spark plug) and fan still did not start.
6. Engine temperature reached 110deg (230F) when I turned off engine before it melts down.
7.I am 100% sure that for same temp gauge position engine was much cooler before.
8. It started to happen out of nowhere. One day all is ok, next one it is not.
9. No cold spots on radiator.
10. Coolant level is normal.
11. There are no signs of mixing oil and water.
I would say that thermostat works ok since temperature on bottom side of radiator is almost the same as engine temp.
Not sure if temperature difference on radiator is because it dissipates heat or because it is dirty and coolant does not flow.
Also, like 1 week ago I had to clean carbs because one cylinder was not working well. All carbs are synced now and all spark plugs have nice gray color. Temperature on cylinder that had issues (left rear) is 5-10 degrees lower then on other 3. After sync I had few rides and all was ok, no problems with temperature.
Would appreciate your thoughts before I start buying parts.
Vlada
