Cooling System Issue

[MsHap]

OK
My FZR always gets hot, that is pretty normal and I have a tiny little overflow on it so if there is too much expansion it does end up sucking air. That said

Everything has been fine until like 2 days ago I noticed it getting hot on a couple short trips and then last night I went with BigRed875 to this thing and it got really hot fan came on and everything and that is not normal for what we did and the weather I know.
So this morning I filled up the coolant it was down about 200ml and I rode to New York, I kept it moving as much as possible but now I am here and let it cool and checked it and it was down like 500ml which is so far from normal.

I do not see a leak it appears to be running out the drain tube and aside from being a little hotter then normal everything is fine. The cap is about 2 years old. Do you think it could be the cap? or Head Gasket or Other

[Honclfibr]

Originally posted by cruzan
or Head Gasket

When I was changing the oil and coolant recently, I got a bit of both mixed up. The resulting mix was this brown, foamy sludge. Keep an eye for that in your oil sight glass maybe? If your oil's not black, probably something is amiss.

[MsHap]

I just went out and ran it with the cap off.

The pump is working fine and the colour is a nice green no rust or wierd stuff that would lead me to believe that there is a head leak.
I ran it for about 3 minutes and I had expansion up the neck of the filler. I totally realize that is normal but is that too quick?
Am I being extra worried?

[MsHap]

I will look but I think I am ok that way. I always think I see something funny through the site and when I drain the oil it is normal.

[SSearchVT]

Might be as simple as a stuck thermostat. Check to see if the bike has one, and if it fails open or closed. Good Luck...

[bigred875]

Originally posted by Honclfibr
When I was changing the oil and coolant recently, I got a bit of both mixed up. The resulting mix was this brown, foamy sludge. Keep an eye for that in your oil sight glass maybe? If your oil's not black, probably something is amiss.

ya it will look like coffee with cream in it...

[MsHap]

I think my oil is fine.

Yes I have a thermostat, it is closed now the bike is cold. I believe it was opening and closing as I rode because I could see the fluctuation in the guage.

[SSearchVT]

If you think it is a blown head gasket take it to a shop and have the cooling system pressure checked. Since you have been loosing/using coolant there is also the possibilty of air in the system. I hope this helps. Good Luck...

[MsHap]

Originally posted by SSearchVT
If you think it is a blown head gasket take it to a shop and have the cooling system pressure checked. Since you have been loosing/using coolant there is also the possibilty of air in the system. I hope this helps. Good Luck...

I do not think it is a blown head gasket I am just thinking worst case senario.

I have been getting air in the system when it looses the coolant and sucks back in.
Do you think it is possibly the cap?

[SSearchVT]

Could be the cap, They are cheap and easy to replace. You may have to bleed or "burp" the system to get the air out.

[MsHap]

Originally posted by SSearchVT
Could be the cap, They are cheap and easy to replace. You may have to bleed or "burp" the system to get the air out.

OK what do you mean? Like I ran it without the cap does that get the air out?

Also, I always get air in the system due to the small Overflow Res. and I have never done anything special.

[Honclfibr]

Originally posted by bigred875
ya it will look like coffee with cream in it...

Regular, or decaf?

[bigred875]

Originally posted by Honclfibr
Regular, or decaf?

that depends on the the oil...

[MsHap]

Focus People!

[Honclfibr]

Originally posted by cruzan
Focus People!

You sound tired. Can I get you a cup of oil?

I don't know if it's decaf or regular but it sure tastes like shit.

[bigred875]

you mean we arent helping?

[MsHap]

lol
You are always helping!

As for the rest of these bums

[Honclfibr]

Originally posted by cruzan
lol
You are always helping!

As for the rest of these bums

Oh were you warned about me too?

Really I'm just here to pick up chicks in Bike Maintenance by giving them bad advice and then pretending to help when it blows up their bike.

It sounds like you have a carburetor issue. I'd suggest replacing the spark plugs.

[MsHap]

What is this Open Mic Night?
Please keep your insanity to yourself!

[SSearchVT]

OK, Back on track...

To bleed or "burp" the system. If it doesn't have a bleed screw or you can't find it. Fill the system up as good as you can without any in the overflow, put the cap on. Run the engine until the thermostat opens and coolant flows. Shut the bike off, wait a minute, and with the bike leaned over so the cap is the higest part of the system carefully open the radiator cap with a rag over it to keep from burning yourself. It should burp and gurgle a little. Check the coolant level and add as needed, repeat after every time you add coolant. It should only take a few times. Lastly put some coolant in the overflow.

The coolant is going somewhere, so something isn't right. Have you changed the hoses, or checked the hose clamps yet? If the bike is older the hoses can break down from the inside, and clamps can get looser. Hope this helps. Good Luck...

[R7]

Originally posted by SSearchVT
If you think it is a blown head gasket take it to a shop and have the cooling system pressure checked. Since you have been loosing/using coolant there is also the possibilty of air in the system. I hope this helps. Good Luck...

This is good advice, stop guessing and do it Wether you "think" you have a bad gasket or not, you are losing fluid, this test will tell you where it's going.

[MsHap]

Originally posted by R7
This is good advice, stop guessing and do it Wether you "think" you have a bad gasket or not, you are losing fluid, this test will tell you where it's going.

I know where the coolant is going.
The coolant is going out the overflow.
So please "stop guessing" and start reading.
The question is why is it going out the overflow

[MsHap]

I called the shops around where I am they can take me next week. You know when I will be back in Massachusetts.

[MsHap]

Originally posted by SSearchVT
OK, Back on track...

To bleed or "burp" the system. If it doesn't have a bleed screw or you can't find it. Fill the system up as good as you can without any in the overflow, put the cap on. Run the engine until the thermostat opens and coolant flows. Shut the bike off, wait a minute, and with the bike leaned over so the cap is the higest part of the system carefully open the radiator cap with a rag over it to keep from burning yourself. It should burp and gurgle a little. Check the coolant level and add as needed, repeat after every time you add coolant. It should only take a few times. Lastly put some coolant in the overflow.

The coolant is going somewhere, so something isn't right. Have you changed the hoses, or checked the hose clamps yet? If the bike is older the hoses can break down from the inside, and clamps can get looser. Hope this helps. Good Luck...

Thanks for that information at the top. I will try and do that tomorrow afternoon.

The hoses are all new within the year and the clamps also.
The coolant is being forced out the overflow, no leak in the system as far as I can see.
I have seen it come out the overflow and so has Ryan

[R7]

Originally posted by cruzan
The question is why is it going out the overflow

ummm, because it's overflowing