2012 overheat issued

[schiel1]

I recently converted my bike and have been having some issues with overheating. Not all the time but like yesterday I was driving it was 91 degrees, driving slow maybe 35mph running about 2800 rpm. The temperature starting climbing. As soon as I sped up it went down. I was told that the bike will run a little hotter being a trike but did not expect this. I changed the antifreeze with Honda type a few weeks ago with no issues. Any thoughts. Right now I am afraid to hook up my cargo trailer for a trip worrying if I get into a traffic jam I will be sitting along side a HD waiting for it to cool off.

 

[mhgoldwing]

First, you didn't quantify how hot it ran. Did the temp gauge get into the red zone or half way between "normal" and the red zone?

Second, I think this is probably normal but I would check coolant level to be sure you don't have a leak (like I do) that doesn't spill any fluid on the ground but evaporates; you will smell it though. Coolant level is checked at coolant reservoir with engine running at full operating temperature. Make sure the coolant level is between the high and low marks on the dipstick.

The fans in the 1800 push air forwards in attempt to protect rider from excessive heat. However, there is a "dead" zone where fan air velocity and forward trike air velocity cancel each other out and the temp goes up. This is normal and if cooling system is ok will not hurt it for short periods of time.

 

[schiel1]

the gauge Got up to about the three quarters
Mark.
I checked the fluid last night at the radiator cap.
Added maybe 8 ounces to fill just to the lower portion of the neck.

 

[Gold Rush]

the gauge Got up to about the three quarters
Mark.
I checked the fluid last night at the radiator cap.
Added maybe 8 ounces to fill just to the lower portion of the neck.

It possible you have a bit of vapor lock. Honda service manual say this to evacuate air trapped in the system.

Fill the system with the recommended coolant through the filler opening up to the filler neck.


Bleed air from the system as follows:

1. Shift the transmission into neutral. Start the engine and let it idle for 2 – 3 minutes.
2. Snap the throttle 3 – 4 times to bleed air from the system.
3. Stop the engine and add coolant up to the filler neck.
4. Install the radiator cap.

Another possibility is bugs and road debris on the inside of the radiators. It's a good habit to back flush the radiators a couple times a year. It amazes me how much junk gets in there.... :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[FRR]

Obvious question.....Are you sure BOTH fans of operating?

 

[Gold Rush]

Obvious question.....Are you sure BOTH fans of operating?

Fred at 35 mph there should be enough air through the radiators to keep the temperature down so the fans would not come on. That being said, if it did get as warm as the OP said they should definitely be screaming like a banshee!! :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[msocko3]

It possible you have a bit of vapor lock. Honda service manual say this to evacuate air trapped in the system. Fill the system with the recommended coolant through the filler opening up to the filler neck. Bleed air from the system as follows: 1. Shift the transmission into neutral. Start the engine and let it idle for 2 – 3 minutes. 2. Snap the throttle 3 – 4 times to bleed air from the system. 3. Stop the engine and add coolant up to the filler neck. 4. Install the radiator cap. Another possibility is bugs and road debris on the inside of the radiators. It's a good habit to back flush the radiators a couple times a year. It amazes me how much junk gets in there.... :xszpv: :xszpv:

:Agree: I think you right, air lock. My 2012 Hannigan doesn't get hot under the collar. Only time I saw the temp at the 3/4 mark was last year in a Chicago stop and go traffic jam when the ambient temp was 95 degrees. The traffic caught that perfect pace where the fans didn't come on and there wasn't enough air moving over the radiators. As luck would have it, they would stop or slow down enough to where the fans would come on and the temp would drop like a rock.

 

[schiel1]

I will try the bleeding procedure and see if I get any change. Not sure if I will be able to see anything since it only happens under certain circumstances. I do remember when I drained the system and tried to refill I did try to go by the directions in the manual but for the life of me I could not get the fluid to into the radiator without it overflowing. There must have been some much air in the system that it kept overflowing. I was putting it in a drop at a time. When I got to about a quart I turned the engine on and it filled right up. Afterwards I did snap the throttle and let it run a few minutes rechecked the fluid and all ok.
Like I said before, there I rechecked it from the radiator cap last night and I was a little low. I topped it off and rechecked today when I got to work as suggested to let it run at running temp. and check. All was OK.

 

[Gold Rush]

I will try the bleeding procedure and see if I get any change. Not sure if I will be able to see anything since it only happens under certain circumstances. I do remember when I drained the system and tried to refill I did try to go by the directions in the manual but for the life of me I could not get the fluid to into the radiator without it overflowing. There must have been some much air in the system that it kept overflowing. I was putting it in a drop at a time. When I got to about a quart I turned the engine on and it filled right up. Afterwards I did snap the throttle and let it run a few minutes rechecked the fluid and all ok.

Like I said before, there I rechecked it from the radiator cap last night and I was a little low. I topped it off and rechecked today when I got to work as suggested to let it run at running temp. and check.

All was OK.

Based on what you've said I doubt you'll get any air out but try once more anyway. Don't make light of the trash and bugs on the inside of the radiator thing. You would not be the first of us to fall pray to that gremlin. :laugh:

 

[SMSgt]

Let me tell you my overheating story and solution to the problem.

I had traveled from home, Cedar City, UT. And traveled to Las Vegas and on to Rancho Cucamonga, CA. It was blistering hot in Rancho and when I pulled into the host hotel parking lot I had a stream of coolant behind my 06 GL with a 12 RS conversion.

After registration for Run For The Wall I took my bleeding GL to our hotel and commenced to get a closer look at things. I topped off the coolant and replaced the radiator cap. I later determined, with the help of another trike rider and his VOM, that the fan relay was not kicking in.

The next day I took an hour in the parking lot of a Pep Boys, bought a tool or two to do electrical, some electrical connectors, 10 feet of 10 gauge wire and a 30 amp switch.

I took the relay out and plugged the ¼” spade connectors into the relay slots, I used plenty of tape to keep things insulated, and ran the wires up to the right side handle bar. I installed the 30 amp switch by taping it to the master cylinder. I also put a fuse in line in case things got too hot. I used that for the rest of the 6000 mile trip to the east coast and back again.

I have since put things back to normal except I now have a relay inline to switch the ground wire going to the fan relay and everything works great. Fans come on automatically and I have a manual back up.

I have not had an overheating problem since making either the first mod, removing the relay, or the second mod, being able to manually control the relay.

 

[dirtdobber]

Honda's has to be burped. Sometimes they can be stubborn

 

[consitter]

Honda's has to be burped. Sometimes they can be stubborn

Dang. I'll bet it would be hard to hold it over your shoulder to do that.

 

[cavie]

I'm guessing you have fixed the problem with that 8 oz of water you added. Check the overflow tank and be sure it is at the fill mark. 8 oz is a lot of water in a motorcycle system. that air bubble can cause a lot of havoc.

 

[JaysGone]

Its been in the 90s every day since the end of May here.
Fans are on regardless of speed for my bike.
All levels normal. Temp never goes above half way.
Annoying yes, but fans are doing their job for mine.
Had same issues with my 99 Valk. Fans seemed to always be on.

 

[FRR]

Fred at 35 mph there should be enough air through the radiators to keep the temperature down so the fans would not come on. That being said, if it did get as warm as the OP said they should definitely be screaming like a banshee!! :xszpv::xszpv:

Yeah, I agree with you about that. I got into some real heat at Daytona this Spring. Traffic was very slow, temp at 92, and fans came on often. Temp gauge never got over half and once I got on the open road, fans didn't come on at all. I knew a guy that had heat problems and he finally figured out that only one fan was working. I just wondered if that had been considered.

 

[dirtdobber]

Since he added 8 oz. In the system I'm guessing it took care of it. 8 oz. Is a enough to do what he described with the heat added.

 

[John Luciano]

Had it happen last year 1997 wing
pulling long hills two up in 85 deg temp saw gage hit just shy of red. Down hill or over 50 on flat it cooled down to normal or below. Stopped at a gas station. Add 1/2 a slurpy cup of water 6 oz and no problem the rest of the day. Not much water in that bike so a few ounces is a big % of cooling power. Yes keep eyes on radiator bugs and vermin building nests.
the little Fu.. Buggers only too 2 weeks to build it. Fast little Sh suckers

 

[cjmitch]

has anyone ever used this

Its called the uview and it sucks the afreeze out of the bike.
It got good reviews in Wing world



http://www.uview.com/index.cfm?dsp=productdetail&id=45700&productid=5120

 

[schiel1]

Since he added 8 oz. In the system I'm guessing it took care of it. 8 oz. Is a enough to do what he described with the heat added.

Bike is in the shop right now. I will check fans once I get it back. I will not know if it overheats again I guess until my next ride. It only happened twice on specific conditions. *

 

[Gold Rush]

Bike is in the shop right now. I will check fans once I get it back. I will not know if it overheats again I guess until my next ride. It only happened twice on specific conditions. *

When you check the fans, take your water hose (no high pressure nozzle) and back flush from the outside toward the inside. You might have a load of "Love Bugs" in there. I remember all too well what a mess those things make from when I was stationed in Panama City back in the mid 70s. Way more fun then I enjoyed then and want to now.... :AGGHH::AGGHH:

 

[schiel1]

When you check the fans, take your water hose (no high pressure nozzle) and back flush from the outside toward the inside. You might have a load of "Love Bugs" in there. I remember all too well what a mess those things make from when I was stationed in Panama City back in the mid 70s. Way more fun then I enjoyed then and want to now.... :AGGHH::AGGHH:

Will Do. Thanks!

 

[cavie]

check the overflow tank to proper level. It will not run hotter because it was triked.

 

[schiel1]

Ok, I hosed down the outside of the radiators and nothing came out. I also removed the radiator cap brought it up to running temp and snapped the throttle a few times. I did get a little bubbles come up, the level went down about a 1/2 inch, came back up to normal level and that's it. So I guess time will tell./

 

[Gold Rush]

Ok, I hosed down the outside of the radiators and nothing came out. I also removed the radiator cap brought it up to running temp and snapped the throttle a few times. I did get a little bubbles come up, the level went down about a 1/2 inch, came back up to normal level and that's it. So I guess time will tell./

You've done everything I would have so hopefully you will not experience that again. Did you check the overflow tank as Cavie suggested.? You might even want to go one step further and inspect the overflow tube between the radiator and tank. As long as the system itself it tight and operation properly the overflow tank coolant level with go up and down as the engine heats up and cools off. If there is even the slightest leak in the hose from the radiator overflow to the tank this process is interrupted and the radiator coolant level will be lower then desired.

Yes, I know I said you had already done what I would have. I'm grasping at straws here... :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[schiel1]

You've done everything I would have so hopefully you will not experience that again. Did you check the overflow tank as Cavie suggested.? You might even want to go one step further and inspect the overflow tube between the radiator and tank. As long as the system itself it tight and operation properly the overflow tank coolant level with go up and down as the engine heats up and cools off. If there is even the slightest leak in the hose from the radiator overflow to the tank this process is interrupted and the radiator coolant level will be lower then desired.

Yes, I know I said you had already done what I would have. I'm grasping at straws here... :xszpv::xszpv:

Everything checks out fine. Thanks for all your help!