Overheating Issue

[Kitt]

The last couple race weekends I had a problem with losing water when I get off the track. I run around 200 while getting air to the radiator, but when i come back to the pits, it shoots up to 230, and starts pouring water out of the overflow... any suggestions?

I traded radiator caps with Narbonne, and no difference.

My bro thinks it could be the thermostat, but i've never had to change one on a bike...

Al Narbonne mentioned it could also be a bad head gasket, which would ad a lot of steam and pressure to the coolant.

I haven't checked the water pump yet, not sure how... but I want to figure out the issue.

[daviid]

are you running straight water or a additive such as water wetter?

[Kitt]

are you running straight water or a additive such as water wetter?

it shouldn't matter that much, but I use the water wetter.

[OreoGaborio]

Don't think water wetter would make THAT much of a difference... somethin ain't right.

[Kurlon]

There is a dye you can put in the water to check for the presence of combustion by-products. If it reacts, there is a head gasket leak. If not... your problems lie elsewhere.

[daviid]

Don't think water wetter would make THAT much of a difference... somethin ain't right.

water wetter can cool water upto 20 degrees cooler then water alone. if he was running that hot on straight water, id recommend ww. but hes not so i got no clue

[Kitt]

i don't think it's a head gasket... young healthy motor, and it's been doing it for a couple weekends.

[13]

I have tested for blown headgaskets many times. It sounds like one to me. Ok when moving, even when beating on it. But slow down or stop and it overheats. I have a combustion leak tester if you'd like to try it.


A thermostat isn't out of the question though, and it's much cheaper. Clogged radiator possibly?

[Kitt]

I have tested for blown headgaskets many times. It sounds like one to me. Ok when moving, even when beating on it. But slow down or stop and it overheats. I have a combustion leak tester if you'd like to try it.


A thermostat isn't out of the question though, and it's much cheaper. Clogged radiator possibly?

Yea I would, how does it work?

[13]

You get the thing good and hot, overheating if possible. CAREFULLY pull the rad cap off, and draw the gases at the top of the radiator through this detection fluid. It's blue, if it turns green it's bad. If it turns yellow, it's REALLY bad.

It's a strange tool, but it works every time.

[13]

Looks kinda like this. His headgasket's junk, probably worse.

[Kitt]

Looks kinda like this. His headgasket's junk, probably worse.

not sure how i could take the cap off without gettign scalded, also not sure how the gases would not instantly escape.

[13]

The gases will continuously feed up through the coolant if the headgasket's bad. The hot coolant is a pain, but if you're careful you'll be fine.

[Kitt]

I love to learn... Should I wait for the temps to drop below boiling before I take the cap off (carefully with a rag over it)? Not sure if the gases will still be leaking if the pressure drops that much.

The tool looks simple, will I find it at the local shop for $10-$20?

[Degsy]

The last couple race weekends I had a problem with losing water when I get off the track. I run around 200 while getting air to the radiator, but when i come back to the pits, it shoots up to 230, and starts pouring water out of the overflow... any suggestions?

I traded radiator caps with Narbonne, and no difference.

My bro thinks it could be the thermostat, but i've never had to change one on a bike...

Al Narbonne mentioned it could also be a bad head gasket, which would ad a lot of steam and pressure to the coolant.

I haven't checked the water pump yet, not sure how... but I want to figure out the issue.

Are you running radiator fans? Are they seized?

Have you checked the exhaust to see if white smoke is coming out?

Look at the oil through the sight-glass. Milky?

[Kitt]

Are you running radiator fans? Are they seized?

Have you checked the exhaust to see if white smoke is coming out?

Look at the oil through the sight-glass. Milky?

Fan, yes... turns on at 220 like all the gsxr 600's

No white smoke

Oil: Not milky that I've noticed (this would indicated bad HG, right?)

[legalspeed]

My bike runs at 175 around that track, no fan, full throttle.

PREVIOUSLY ON A 600...
did not circulate H2O, then she would run at ~ 200 (distilled with WW) and boil over comming back to the pits.

My problem was a pooched water pump (Degsy, Gordo, and the crew helped me replace it one race weekend).

Regaurdless of why, I would say you are not circulating any coolant.

[SSearchVT]

You can test for circulating coolant the old school way - start the bike up while it is cool, keep an eye on the temp gauge, and either use a thermometer or your hand on the water pump and the in and out hoses for the radiator. The water pump (and engine cases) will warm up with the hoses staying cool until the t-stat opens. Then the inlet hose for the radiator warms up and a little while later the out hose warms up.

If the hoses warm up - the t-stat and pump are fine. If they don't - pull the water pump cover and take a look at the impeller and make sure it is still hooked to the shaft. Good luck.