Technical Discussion Topics related to Technical Issues

Depleting coolant and overheating

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 27, 2017 | 01:49 PM
  #1  
wmorphis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3
wmorphis is on a distinguished road
Depleting coolant and overheating

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. I bought a 98 vtr1000 recently, and I'm having overheating problems. I was riding down the road when my bike starts to sputter, I look down, and the temp gauge is near red. I had the fan going, so idk what was going on. I look to see if there's any coolant, low and behold there's no coolant at all in the resevoir. I add more coolant. Next day I did a complete coolant flush, and added 50/50 Prestone. It's running better, however, teh resevoir is depleted again. I went to the local auto parts store to see what's going on, and they said to check the spark plugs. Therefore, I go change my plugs, and it seemed like a milky residue is on both spark plugs. I also checked th coolant lines for leaks, and there aren't any. Could it be a blown head gasket or does anybody what could be the issue? Thank you
Old Mar 27, 2017 | 02:16 PM
  #2  
Cadbury64's Avatar
VTR virgin
Superstock
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 447
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Cadbury64 is on a distinguished road
Before you leap into a top-end tear down, a quick and cheap fix might be to try a new radiator cap. The cap is designed to hold pressure (up to 20psi) in the cooling system which prevents the coolant from boiling as easily. If your cap is not doing that then you may simply be boiling coolant off and blowing it out through the reservoir as steam. You will probably be able to find a suitable cap for a car at your local auto parts store.
Old Mar 27, 2017 | 03:08 PM
  #3  
wmorphis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3
wmorphis is on a distinguished road
Overheating

Okay, I'll try that out, and go from there. Thanks!
Old Mar 27, 2017 | 04:16 PM
  #4  
VTR1000F's Avatar
Thread Killer
SuperBike
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,097
From: Geneseo, IL
VTR1000F is on a distinguished road
Stant 10233 radiator cap is suitable.

Is the plug residue wet or dry? Milky sounds wet. That's not good.

Is it blowing any white smoke?

Last edited by VTR1000F; Mar 28, 2017 at 04:14 AM.
Old Mar 27, 2017 | 08:43 PM
  #5  
smokinjoe73's Avatar
Senior Member
MotoGP
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
smokinjoe73 is on a distinguished road
What happened when you refilled and ran the bike? A blow head gasket could show as a milkshake looking overflow bottle. Not always but running a liquid cooled bike with no liquid for cooling can for sure lead to a blown head.

But yes replace the radiator cap no matter what. That is the #1 reason for cooling system issues.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JRip
Technical Discussion
10
Aug 24, 2011 06:20 AM
Big Shepp
Technical Discussion
16
Aug 7, 2011 10:08 AM
RPV-Hawk
Technical Discussion
18
Oct 9, 2008 03:30 PM
lynchie
General Discussion
27
Aug 7, 2008 04:17 PM
faz
Technical Discussion
4
Jul 29, 2004 10:58 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:15 PM.


Top

© 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands



When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.