TOPIC:

Thought I'd better move into the "working" part of the forum instead of stretching things out in the meet and greet threads.

Something has me a bit concerned. Namely that the needle on the temperature gauge likes to stay right at the top of the green zone. When I bought the bike three years ago and rode it down to Grenoble it did the same. Fans never came on, so at one point I wired in a swich, but the fans seemed to do nothng,( maybe a little at idle)

Without having a laser pointy temperature thingy I dont know what the head temperature is.

Water pump seems to flow water but I dont know how efficiently. Oil is not white with water contamination. Coolant is not being pushed into the header/overflow tank. Thermostat seems to open....I can hold my hand on the hose while the motor warms and then can feel it get hot.

Haven't got a box spanner to pull the spark plug just yet...so don't know what plug (I have a new one coming) If it was the wrong heat range would this cause it to run a bit hot?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Hi Zeroviz,
With a name like that you should be a diver
If you were over heating water would be going into the expansion bottle, if the fans are not coming on (but are working) you should have no problems with over heating, When I 1st had my Nordie I rode it without the fans working and was OK until I pulled up outside the house to open the gate and left the engine running, it boiled switch off and push the bike inside, one fan was repairable the other not I never had problems running with just one fan here in Africa.
Wrong grade plugs will not make the engine run hot the wrong plug will be fouled as it did not get hot enough to clean itself or burn away the electrode as it could not keep cool, best to check and get the correct plug, but can't be much wrong with the plug if it's been fitted all this time.
Regards
John

Hi John,

Yes I am a diver, and the name came from when I used to live in Macau. Managed to go diving off Chinese mainland a few times...could'nt see my hand in front of my face!

I'll fiddle with the fans tomorrow and maybe get another switch and wire it in.Fan thermoswitch might be stuffed.

I just wonder if that waterpump is only half doing its job thats all. I'd be happier if the needle wasn't so up the scale.

After my thrash today, I'm definitely going to fit the 15 tooth sprocket I have...Its just too buzzy at 130 km/hr. Have to keep up with the locals

Is it possible that there is an air lock in the cylinder head? Is there a bleed screw at the top of the system somewhere.?
I know this is often the case when refilling car radiators.

Think i will clean out with radiator flush and refill too.
Any thoughts?

Hi Zero,
Clean and flush the rad is a good idea and refill with a good rust inhibitor/antifreeze, be careful if you pressure washer rad cores they are easily damaged.
Just another thought electric gauges are notoriously inaccurate as they usual convert heat into resistance, unless you have spare bits to compare there is no why to check them, as long as you are not losing water you are OK
I used to dive many moons ago but have live far away from the sea for long so no chance, I still keep a mask and fins if ever a chance of good water come along.
Cheers
John

Hi

bleeding the system will be a good idea i think.
On the right hand side of the engine there is a litte M6 hex bolt. Just in front of the plug.
Just open it a little to see what happens
I just have the same problem.
I was out over the weekend for the anual Gilera meeting. Firstt ime this year the Nordie was used, shame on me.
The temperatur was slighly higher then it used to be. Just in front of red.
And it was not going down while it was raining (and it was raining...)
The gauge is in the cylinder head, so i think it is typically for a problem there when the tempertaure is high and not going down while cooling the cylinder with water from the outside.
Those who have a Saturno with Nordie barrel and did not modify the cylinder gasket know what i am talking about:)

ciao Joachim