QuestionI just bought a 1987 Honda Hurricane CBR1000f last Friday. It only had 4836 original miles on it. The bike has been well cared for and never laid down. The first few days that I rode the bike it had no problems keeping the temperature under control. Yesterday when I rode the bike to work (75 miles one way) it almost hit the red zone for the temperature. I parked the bike and checked the overflow resevior and it was empty. I got a ride from a co-worker and bought some 50/50 antifreeze like the bike manual suggests and filled the resevior up to the upper limit. I finished riding to work with no issue. On the way home, it only took about 10 minutes to hit the red zone on the temp gauge in 84 degree weather. I stopped and checked the overflow resevior and saw that it was full and the fluid looked nasty. My question is:
1). should I take it to a shop to have it worked on or,
2) should I just flush the radiator and see if that fixes the issue. If I flush the radiator, how much fluid does it take to refill? I cannot find that information in the manual anywhere.
Thank you in advance.
Fred.
AnswerHi Fred,
The cooling system needs flushed.
I encourage home maintenance. Review the procedure in the repair manual and see if you are up to the task.
Coolant capacity is not given usually because we simply add fluid until filled.
Cooling systems are designed to be air free. Anytime the system is opened (other than the radiator cap), air enters the system and must be purged. Air causes the coolant to boil at a lower temperature.
You'll need a tool to purge the air from the system. I use and recommend the MityVac Air Evac tool. See the tool by copying and pasting this link:
http://www.toolsource.com/ost//product.asp?brand_id=&sourceid=googlemityvac&dept...
Many techs do not purge air using this tool. Instead, they rely on burping the air from the system with engine hot and running. This method is better than nothing, but not effective.
Check local auto parts stores for the tool for rental or loan.
Respectfully,
Mark Shively
Cooling System/Engine Overheating
Primary cause:
Air in cooling system
Firing incorrect:
Spark plug dirty, broken, or maladjusted
Spark plug incorrect
IC ignitor trouble
Fuel/air mixture incorrect:
Main jet clogged or wrong size
Fuel level in carburetor float chamber too low
Carburetor holder loose
Air cleaner clogged, poorly sealed, or missing
Surge tank duct poorly sealed
Compression high:
Carbon built up in combustion chamber
Engine load faulty:
Clutch slipping
Engine oil level too high
Engine oil viscosity too high
Drive train trouble
Final gear case oil viscosity too high
Brake dragging
Lubrication inadequate:
Engine oil level too low
Engine oil poor quality or incorrect
Gauge incorrect:
Water temperature gauge broken
Water temperature sensor broken
Coolant incorrect:
Coolant level too low
Coolant deteriorated
Cooling system component incorrect:
Radiator clogged
Thermostat trouble
Radiator cap trouble
Thermostatic fan switch trouble
Fan relay trouble
Fan motor broken
Fan blade damage
Water pump not turning
Water pump impeller damaged
