| Author | Message | ||
     Kesnei |
Hey guys and gals. Here is kinda what I am seeing and I think I have it narrowed down to a water pump failure or a water pump sensor (which I don't know if it exists) But I figured I would let y'all take a look at it before I start the process: So the bike is a 2008 Buell 1125r, upgrades at this point include: KNN air filter FMF slip on exhaust (No ECM upgrade yet, and the software is one version behind the 'current' software level) De-noided No Charcoal canister was ever on the bike since I owned it (either the previous owner removed it or it did not have it from the factory) Lithium battery upgrade (stock one went out) Updated clutch weep The initial issue was the bike temp while running. I will be on the freeway and the bike's Coolant Temp would slowly drop. I could reduce gears in order to rev the engine higher and make the coolant temp hold or slow the process but it gets down to 140 and the bike goes into 'cold' mode and reduces power etc etc. The bike when coming to a stop seems to pull the temp up. Last night I got gas and the bike was at about 155 or less on turning the engine off to get gas. A couple minutes later I turned it back on and the temp was at 190+ on start-up. Any thoughts from the Buell experts? Anything you'd like checked? My thought process currently is that the water pump is dying, given that the coolant would move appropriately on start-up and the engine would get warm, 10 minutes into the ride the weakness of the pump begins to show and the coolant temp starts to drop as a result of a lack of coolant flow. | ||
| Pariah |
Weird because when the thermostat is closed (effectively no coolant is being pumped) and coolant is not flowing through the engine, the engine heats up rapidly, and the temperature indicated should rise accordingly. I remember on a hot day at the track (Texas World Speedway, in fact), I shut the engine off without allowing it to cool down after one session, and the coolant boiled over, spilling out of the engine and making quite a mess around the bike. What I mean is that if your water pump is actually shot, that you should notice that your engine is extremely hot (despite what the coolant temperature is reading). Doesn't seem like that's actually the case. You don't have coolant spilling out, right? Is the frame especially hot (unbearably hot to the touch) after riding? If your pump were malfunctioning (unless it is hyperfunctioning?) your engine should be overheating. And so maybe it's like you say, it's the coolant temperature sensor. Probably easier to replace, in any case, maybe a good first check. | ||
| Kesnei |
The bike is definitely not hot on the frame as I would expect it to do, then when it jumped to 190 there was certainly heat on the frame, but not terribly so. | ||
| Mhpalin |
Sounds like your thermostat is stuck open | ||
| Kesnei |
Hadn't thought of that. That would explain the symptoms pretty well actually. Is that hard to replace? | ||
| Pariah |
Actually, that's probably right. Replace thermostat and see what happens... it's not hard to get to, if I recall. (Message edited by pariah on February 25, 2015) | ||
| Kesnei |
The engine gets down to under 150 -- Its gotten under 140 even before, granted it is cold outside, like 40-50 and I'm doing about 80-90 mph. The fastest drop is usually to about 155 then it slows down but will keep going. | ||
| Pariah |
Yeah, the thermostat should close, allowing the temp to go back up. Do you have a service manual? | ||
| Pariah |
Here's a useful page from it: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7uc3wk9vovqla5k/IMG_1752 .JPG?dl=0 | ||
| Kesnei |
I have the 09 one -- Looks like the thermostat is section 5.5. Is it the same on both years? | ||
| Pariah |
I have both manuals ('08 and '09) and I just did a comparison... the thermostat section in both seems virtually identical, except the '09 section has an additional warning regarding the toxicity of coolant (don't drink it, don't wash with it, don't offer it to small children or animals, etc.), LOL Anyway, hopefully you can see for yourself the '08 SM page from the link I provided... The only question now is where are you going to get your replacement thermostat...  | ||
| Kesnei |
I found a thermostat assembly nearby -- I'll probably pick that up beginning of next week. Thanks for your help Pariah, I'll keep you posted on the result. | ||
| Pariah |
That was quick! Awesome... | ||
| Xtreme6669 |
I had a similar issue on my 09 CR. Would randomly drop into the cold range and would sometimes read irraticly. Turned out to be the coolant temp sensor. On the left side of the front cylinder. Really easy repair and I was able to google the sensor part number and cross reference it to a part from the local auto parts store. | ||
| Xtreme6669 |
Sensor is located in the front jug below the throttle body and injector housing, you have to access it from the top. Bosch sensor part# 0280130093 Was in stock at the local NAPA. |
