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Followup To
Question -
I have a 1986 Ninja 900 with 21k on it. When I bought it 5 years ago, I noticed that a switch had been installed to bypass all the sensors and turn on the fan. The dealer told me that this model has always had problems cooling. One of the first things that I did was to install a muzzy high performance fan, and then flushed out the cooling system. It still ran hot. Today it was about 60 degrees out and on the highway it was just above the mark to the right of the "C". When I got into traffic it jumped up to around 3/4 of the gauge, and almost hit the "H" when I got off the highway. It seems as long as I am doing 70mph it will stay cool. I am looking for some advice on getting the radiator boiled out, different fan, bigger radiator or anything else that could be a be a problem. I just had a full tune up to include, adjusting valves, sync the carbs, and flush the cooling system. Where should I start?
Answer -
Hi Rick,
I worked in a Kawasaki dealership for a few years. I remember Ninja and Eliminator customers having a problem with dealers reference this problem. I remember the factory scrambling to find a fix for the problem. If I recall, the problem wasn't that the coolant was overheating, instead, there was a glitch with engineering design and parts. They had factory recall/warranty repairs. Part of the fix was to burp the cooling system. Didn't help.
Go to: "www.buykawasaki.com" and enter the VIN from the frame and see what information appears for that motorcycle. VIN is the serial number.
What you can do:
Anytime you work on any cooling system, you have to purge the air from the system. Cooling systems are designed to be air free. Air raises temperature of the coolant. When an air pocket reaches the water pump, the engine will not get coolant flow and serious damages result.
MityVac makes a tool called the Evac which purges the air from a system. I have this $100 tool (it's awesome), but it's hard for a non-mechanic to justify the expense. You can borrow a similar tool from AutoZone with a deposit of about $75. You get all your cash back upon return of the tool. Air free system is critical. Proper coolant recipe is critical.
Information:
Kawasaki also had a recall on valve spring retainer washers. They were replaced free under warranty. The website above may tell what warranty service YOUR motorcycle has had performed.
Send me your email address as requested if you want information files on the topic.
Respectfully,
Mark Shively
Mark, I checked the web site and there were no outstanding recalls.
I will try to bleed the air out of the system as soon as I get a chance.
Do you know what the actual temperature these bikes should be running at? How much it should drop across the radiator? I would like to use an Infrared gun to check out the temp drop across the radiator and check to see how hot it is really getting.
Thanks for your help
Rick
RKT2001@comcast.net
AnswerHi Rick,
Not sure of the exact temp specs. It partly depends on the coolant ratio with water, air in the system, and the design temp sensors in the system (their on/off temp settings). The Factory service manual may have this intel.
I'll send the files I have on colling systems.
Keep me advised of your progress via my email: mshively1@woh.rr.com
Mark Shively
Dayton, Ohio
