my bike is overheating!!!!

[G21forme]

I'll start this off by letting you know I'm a total noob.


ok, so my bike started to overheat today as soon as I pulled it out of my driveway so I spun it around and brought her home to check it out. Well the radiator was a little low so I topped it off as well as the res after my bike had cooled of course. well fired her up and it was all good running between 178-198 ish and then the avg temp started to increase by a degree or so every mile until it was at about 220 and this is while I'm on the move mind you. So I had to stop at a light and the temp started getting close to 230 so I pulled into a gas station and let her cool down for awhile. Fortunately I was only about 1/2 a mile from my house so I managed to keep the engine cool enough I hope and limped back home. Now since I parked in the garage I now have a nice lil puddle of coolant just behind the front tire. I can't seem to find out were it's coming from but I'm assuming it's the radiator because I think it's safe to say my water pump is working and the thermo is good because the fan turns on at 220 so do you think it's the radiator or could it be the gasket? btw it's a 1997 gsxr 600

eta

and I have coolant on the right side fairing, looks like I won't be riding anytime soon, does anyone know about how much it costs to have a radiator replaced?

[imkindafkedup]

well if you are certain it is the radiator leaking and not a hose, pick one up on ebay or something. They are easy to put in so don't bring it to any one. Just as enough guys on here or maybe someone is close enough to you to assist.

[butcher bergs]

Make sure the radiator cap is on correctly.

[mzdagrl]

if you aren't comfy checking it yourself, i am sure someone on here lives nearby and will have a look at it. no sense bringing it somewhere to pay $80 to have someone else tighten a cap.

[G21forme]

The cap is on correctly but the cap itself may not be good (I'm used to cages), now I know there is a hose that spits coolant when the temp and/or pressure gets too high but I'm not sure of it's location.

Bergs graciously offered to help so I'll keep everyone posted

thank you!

[G21forme]

before you go and change the radiator make sure your cooling fan(s) are turing on. You may have just blown a fuse. Im assuming that the coolant on the faring is probably from the overflow when you added more and the coolant got hot and overflowed a little.

That's good to know, I wasn't sure how/why there was coolant on my fairing but yeah my fan turns on at about 220. I guess that's what I get for buying an 11 year old bike but oh well.

[stoinkythepig]

Bike been on its side recently? Sounds like you have an air pocket in one of the coolant passages in the cylinder head . The puddle is a symptom of overheating, not likely the cause.

[loridin64]

+1 on the air bubble.
those temps that you mention arent really overheating for that bike are they? Ive never owned a GSXR, but the bike i have had, run in those ranges without problems.
Does your temp light come on?

[Doc]

Does the bike have a thermostat? It might be sticking.

[Ericthejet]

My 2 cents,
Drain the coolant from the bike and refill with fresh pre-mixed coolant following proper refilling procedures.
Check the cooling fan fuse as mentioned as well as the rad cap.
Test run the bike in the driveway as it will get up to temp and start flowing from engine to radiator with the cooling fan kicking on to help every so often.

[butcher bergs]

Just got back from looking at this bike.

We ended up lighting it on fire and he's just gonna collect insurance and get a Yamaha next time...
















Low coolant = steam pockets

Bike's ready to rock!

[G21forme]

Just had it out for about an hour and everything is running fine now.