TOPIC:

hi all . im new to gilera and the forum and haveing some probs with my nordwest . today was the 1st day iv got to ride it and it runs so hot its just off the red on the temperature gage . the fans kick in ok but they dont come on till its just in the red. iv took out the thermostat and run it with out it in and it takes longer to get hot but will run a but cooler but not by much . could it be the TEMP SENDER or is this just how the are . im hopeing its not the head gaskat.please can some one HELP. thanks all

Hi Piggy (Mr or Miss?)
If your head gasket had faile you would pressurise the cooling system and be blowing water out of the radiator cap or expansion bottle, If you took the rad cap of you would also see bubbles coming to the surface of the water.
Don’t run without a thermostat it can alter water circulation in the head and barrel, as your stat is out test it by putting it into boiling and cold water to check it opens and closes.
Your radiator core can get blocked with road crud on the outside and gunge on the inside, especially if you have not used a good rad additive in the water, flush the rad inside and out, if using a pressure washer go easy don’t damage the fins in the core.
Lastly remove your timing belt cover check the belt tension is not loose allowing the pump pulley to slip, release the belt tensioner and check your water pump bearings are not starting to seize causing the pulley to slip.
Good luck
John

hi and thanks for the help . it looks like it my head gaskat . o well . got the engine out today just need the parts to show up .hope i get them today and i will get her back on the road this weekend .only or to ride her 2 time . the smug git i got her off did not tell ne the head gaskat was dead . still i happy to do the work a i love the bike . so much more fun then my 7/11 . and thanks for the help m8 .

parts came today and she is all fixed head gaskat done and sorted out the carb to as the nob who had the bike be for be had played with it and had it all set up wrong . well now she runs sweet starts with out giveing it gas tickes over nice and dont over heat .it like a difrent bike happy happy joy joy .

Piggy go out and have fun.
John

I have been looking at this thread as I seem to have the same problem but I have just had the top end rebuilt after getting new rings and an exhaust valve fitted so have new gaskets. Surely it cannot be the case for me?

The bike runs hot then the water level in the expansion bottle rises to the point where it starts flowing from the overflow tube.

Starting to wish I had left it as a winter hack