Engine getting warm when stuck in traffic

[manicguitarist]

Hi guys. Not sure if I have an issue or not, but you guys are the folks to ask. :)

Recently when going to a bike hangout on a Sunday there has been dreadful traffic for the last 1/4mile (cars getting stuck in the "bike only" access road) - causing traffic jam. In this instance, after about 5 mins of slowly edging forwards the engine temp rises and the fan comes on. It then stays still in the white, but certainly at the hot end.

The same happens when slowly edging away from the place. When I get past the traffic and onto the open road (even if only 30mph) the temperature drops to normal within 3/4mile.

I've not seen this before, but then, I've not been stuck in traffic on this bike before either. Riding at high speed with high-revs for any length of time is absolutely fine.

M

[Drunkn Munky]

NC's dont like sitting in traffic, all you can do is make for your cooling system is in tip top condition

[manicguitarist]

NC's dont like sitting in traffic, all you can do is make for your cooling system is in tip top condition

Thanks. I flushed it and put new coolant in last Spring - and the fact that the temp drops very quickly when on the move does reassure me.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

M

[Neosophist]

sounds fine to me.

as long as the fan comes on and the temp needle doesnt go into the red zone its fien.

if your stuck in rush hour traffic often on a hot summer day fan is almost never off.

[manicguitarist]

sounds fine to me.

as long as the fan comes on and the temp needle doesnt go into the red zone its fien.

if your stuck in rush hour traffic often on a hot summer day fan is almost never off.

Cheers.
Yes, it stayed in the white - to the top end of the white for sure, but not even in the gap betwixt white and red.

M

[speedy231278]

Clean the bottom rad. Cooling is marginal, and they get full of crap. It makes a heck of a difference. If both rads are clean and it's getting very hot very quickly, I'd check to make sure that you have the right amount of coolant.

Other than that, as said above, the things get quite warm quite quickly in traffic anyway. Although mine doesn't normally go past half way in traffic unless it's a very long time stuck or a very hot (for the UK) day. I'd not be too worried unless it starts doing it when the weather is really cold and you haven't sat in traffic very much.

[manicguitarist]

By "clean" do you mean "clean out the inside" or "clean any clart/flies/muck from fins" ?

[Neosophist]

By "clean" do you mean "clean out the inside" or "clean any clart/flies/muck from fins" ?

doesnt hurt to check the rads out.

when the bike is upto tempertaure carefully feel the rads all over the fins with your fingers, if there are any noticable cold spots then you have a blocked rad.

the lower rad can accumulate a lot of shit in the fins, if you cant see daylight with a ligth through them take the rad off and soak it in hot water with degreaser etc and hose it through.

[speedy231278]

By "clean" do you mean "clean out the inside" or "clean any clart/flies/muck from fins" ?

I meant the outside. The front wheel tends to splatter the bottom rad with road crap, and the centre section of it gets blocked up pretty quickly. I actually leave it during winter because it helps the bike warm up a little quicker (or used to before I found the thermostat in mine was jammed wide open), and give it a good clean once the weather gets better. Do NOT attack it from close range with a pressure washer because it can damage the fins. It's safest to use a hose with your finger over the end, or if you are using a powered washer, do it from a distance on a fairly mist-like setting. If mine needs a really good clean I take it off and attack it in the bath with the shower and a toothbrush. Even a clean looking rad can hold a surprising amount of crud. Of course, removing it will show you if the coolant is clean or not. If it's looking murky and smells fishy, it could probably do with being replaced, and it won't hurt to flush it. Although, IO found that if your water pump seal is iffy, a dose of radflush will removed all the grot that was the only thing keeping it watertight... lol

[Dynamohum]

Have cleaned a few rads its a tedious chore but as said a good clean and fin straightening makes a noticeable difference have found that laying rad flat and using paraffin with a soft brush first over old newspapers for a couple of days softens the dead flies tar and other detritus easier before using water then a final clean with sugar soap. Before repainting .