QuestionJust got a 1996 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R. The coolant starts to boil extremely bad in the coolant reservoir just after 10 minutes of riding. If more than 10 minutes, coolant comes out of the overfill tube, fumes are visible near the reservoir and front radiator area (boiling coolant escaping?), and even the seat gets a little warm. The previous owner overfilled the coolant reservoir about 1-2 inches above the "FULL" line. I know hot coolant is bad. Would this be a sign of a bad thermostat? Water pump? Too much coolant? Please advise. Thanks!
AnswerChris,
Followup:
Chris, the water pump and oil pump are
a unit on these I believe.
You may be able to do it with a manual,
it's not really difficult but has to
be done carefully.
Try the thermostat, and then maybe you
can get the system pressure tested for
head and other gasket leaks somewhere
before replacing the pump.
----------------------------
start with checking the easiest things first.
-Does the fan turn on? It may be a faulty sensor
switch.
-Try pulling the connector off the fan sensor on the
radiator, jumper the two wires and see if the
fan runs. Make sure the blade is not slipping on the
fan motor.
-If the fan has been working, move
on to the thermostat, 4 bolts and an o-ring
at the end of the big rad hose. Just replace
it, it probably sticks closed.
-Next is the radiator cap.
-Check the hoses for collapse.
-Flush the radiator.
-Replace water pump.
Look at your oil, if it is milky
it could be a head gasket leaking,
hope it the thermostat or fan
instead. Heat is not good,you
are right about that.
