Overheating - Discuss Overheating on CBRXX, the ultimate on-line community for Honda motorcyclists. Read it in Engine / Airbox / Exhaust / Fuel Delivery. (Discussion of Honda CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird Engine Modifications, Airbox Modifications, Exhaust Systems, Power Commanders, and Carburetors.)

ricker99 · 11-13-2007, 4:07 PM

I have got a 1999 blackbird that has a problem with overheating. The bike runs fine with not problems, but if I drive it on a hot summer day the temp shoots up to about the red line, not at it but just before it. The fan kicks on and when I get going the bike cools, but if I was to stop and turn off the bike coolant would come out of my overflow tube from the coolant container. I got no idea what could be wrong, if anyone has any information that could help me that would be great.

shovelstrokeed · 11-13-2007, 4:24 PM

When you calm down, try checking to see if your pressure cap is sealing properly and maybe have the system pressure checked at a radiator shop. My bike, an '01 with a digital temprature gauge, will get up to around 215 to 218 degrees at a stop light, up to about 230 in 15 minutes of stopped traffic. In neither case to I get coolant overflow or boil off.

redxxrdr · 11-13-2007, 5:49 PM

+1 on the radiator cap. Mine had residue under the seal which let coolant overflow early.
Also make sure the radiator vanes are straight and clean. Did you buy her new? What coolant is in her? Silicate based coolants wear the waterpump seals and impeller. I think you can remove the hose from the pump and get a look inside.

these bikes run hot, and seem to do better at higher rpms (4K).
My 01 likes higher rpm's and at least 40 mph to cool well.

Nutter67 · 11-13-2007, 7:06 PM

The BB normally runs hot, especially if you are going slow, in traffic, or riding in the "dirty" air behind cars or trucks.

Check your radiator cap and also your coolant levels.

Venus97 · 11-13-2007, 8:28 PM

I would also check to make sure you do not have air trapped inside the system. If you bought it used, someone may have done it and accidentally not purged the system right.

TWEET · 11-14-2007, 12:43 PM

Yeah welcome to you too...

Consider checking what the guys above mentioned and the thermostat, if it is not opening enough, water is restricted from flowing fast enough.

chooowie · 11-14-2007, 4:48 PM

You know, thermodinamic of the fluids is large and very sensitive area.Sometimes it takes a lot of attention to solve the problem.
Riding under too high (also too low) temperatures could do a lot of harm to your bird, so don´t leave fixing problem for ˝tomorow˝!
There are 2 reasons why temp. gauge is showing high temp.
1) temp. gauge is lieing
2) temp. is high
If temp. is high, there are 2 major reasons to it.
1) engine is generating too much heat, more than it should
2) engine is generating heat normaly, but the cooling system is malfunctioning, so it doesnt take the heat away
First check what can be easily checked visualy. If radiator is filled with dirt clean it with compresed air, DO NOT use water if not neccesary. If fields(dont know english word for it) on the front side of the radiator are bended so fresh air cant circulate thru it, put them straight using something like woodem toothpick. DO NOT use screwdriwer or any sharp metal object because you might damage radiator permanently.
Make sure that all plastics around radiator are in their place. I had case on my ex bike that air was going around radiator instead thru it, all becouse of 50x200 mm peace of plastic was not where it was supposed to be.
If radiator is ok from the outside, check coolant level and make sure you dont have the ˝airbag˝ inside. Do not open hot, when you open it cold and start engine, coolant should circulate smoothly without bubbles. If bubbles apear your head gasket is dead.
If your temperature gauge is showing high temp, then radiator should also be hot when you touch it. If not, then coolant isnt circulating properly. That can be due to malfunction of themostat or water pump.
I could be writing about possible reasons and scenarios whole night ( not becouse Im too smart, Im only typing too slowly

ha-ha)
Try checking this, or send more data, like how many miles you got on it, where you drive it( aint same driving it in Australia or Russia), city or open road.....
For any comments or questions send me pm
hope this helped

1ecnirp1 · 11-23-2007, 5:49 PM

My 00 BB runs hot. Just had the bike serviced incl. replacement of the coolant, rode the bike home, got stuck in traffic and I'd say about half a cup of lime green coolant was expelled out of the overflow!

Never happended before. And today, I could hear the coolant boiling.... never noticed this before, not even with a new 04 BB I used to own. Needle would be 1/2 to 3/4 on the gauge... fan starts when needle is 1/2 way.... but hearing the boiling sound when I bent down to remove some dirt off the fairing, this is somewhat concerning????

chooowie · 11-24-2007, 6:15 AM

That is definitely tooooooo hot

Helvet · 11-24-2007, 8:52 AM

My 1999 bird had exactly the same problem. We tried all solutions above, no results......
To be able to go on a holiday, I mounted a manual switch for the fan, and switched it on most of the time. When that had a positive effect it got me thinking....
I concluded that the fan started too late, so the coolent started to boil before it could be cooled by the radiator. The thermo-switch for the fan was replaced (it's not expensive), and no more problems since.....

XXTi · 11-24-2007, 9:24 AM

I wouldn't worry about the bike overheating if the temp gauge is not getting into the red zone. My '00 has done the same thing in traffic for years with no apparent problems.

I would, however, be a little concerned about the coolant overflowing the reservoir. Mine has never done that. As others have said, check your radiator cap and make sure your coolant level is correct.

DJM · 11-24-2007, 8:39 PM

Although anti corrosion solutions (anti-boil anti-freeze) raise the boiling point of the coolant, it also causes the engine to run hotter than straight water.Too higher coolant to water ratio can cause the temp to rise dramatically, I would suggest draining the fluid and refilling as per the manual for your model.
DJM.

bikenut06 · 11-24-2007, 9:01 PM

Just punchered my radiator and have removed it myself, pretty easy really. Shop is going to epoxy it they say this is all they can do. Does any body know the Antifreeze/water ratio weather 1 to 1 or straight from the bottle meaning full strength any help would be appreciated My bike normal to hard running, runs at 81 to 84 degrees and in traffic in town will rise to 104 degrees

chooowie · 11-25-2007, 5:43 AM

I`m using 1:1 water:antifreeze ratio and it`s keeping temp in 1-st quarter of gauge, just a little bit over minimum. Don`t know how much is that in degrees. Fan starts running nearly half way to red zone. I`ve done most of my riding betwen 15 - 35 celsius degrees.

X1rider · 11-25-2007, 7:30 AM

Engine Ice works great!

redxxrdr · 11-25-2007, 12:06 PM

A couple of reminders, The hoses and clamps do loosen with age. I have experienced it, and have read of it more than once. If water vented through a hose, you may not have enough in the overflow to automatically refill the system.

I recommend checking all hose clamps, and the radiator coolant level every other oil change. Do it immediately if you overflow. You check your oil and gas levels, why not your coolant?

As stated earlier, I also had crud under my radiator cap seal. This lowers the pressure of the system, which lowers the boiling point. You may then overflow the overflow bottle. This may not give you enough coolant to automatically refill the system when it cools.

CanadianBird · 11-25-2007, 1:14 PM

I recommend Motul coolant. I haven't used engine ice and it never gets hot enough in the PNW to worry. However when travelling in very hot weather during July and August, I've only had a problem once. I just pulled over till the traffic jam abated. Birds do not enjoy sitting still in hot weather moving an "inch" at a time. Often I ride the "shoulder" in long jams although lane splitting is frowned upon. Of course taking much of the above advice is recommended. Motul makes great MC products.

Partsguy · 11-25-2007, 1:55 PM

Sounds like pressure loss,which is usually the rad cap.I have had the exact situation you describe on one of my bikes once and it was the cap.Loose clamps usually leak right where they are loose.
2ND the Motul reccommendation,everything they make is good stuff.I use Liquid Performance coolant which helped the 600.Bypassing the fan switch is an excellent idea for the XX,and one of these days I'm going to do it too.

1ecnirp1 · 12-08-2007, 11:20 PM

Yep, the overheating on my XX I'm told was the radiator cap. Worked fine before the service.... now my Honda dealer are trying to find a replacement... I could be without my BB for almost 2 weeks!!!

scooter02 · 04-10-2008, 9:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helvet

My 1999 bird had exactly the same problem. We tried all solutions above, no results......
To be able to go on a holiday, I mounted a manual switch for the fan, and switched it on most of the time. When that had a positive effect it got me thinking....
I concluded that the fan started too late, so the coolent started to boil before it could be cooled by the radiator. The thermo-switch for the fan was replaced (it's not expensive), and no more problems since.....

I know this is an old thread but I am new here and with the BB and my bike today was running up to 250 F but had no fluid coming out of any where. What temp was your bike running at? Mine is an 02.

bullet · 04-11-2008, 6:48 AM

..could be also a stuck open thermostat valve...hot water continues to circulate through the whole circuit ....

scooter02 · 04-11-2008, 10:40 PM

The bike has 1600 miles on it, the guy I bought it from got it brand new in 02 and only put 1600 on it so it sat alot in a garage. He kept it very clean and he seemed to be very particular about his stuff. I was kind of wondering if maybe sitting so much the thermostat could be stuck open.

Helvet · 04-12-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter02

I know this is an old thread but I am new here and with the BB and my bike today was running up to 250 F but had no fluid coming out of any where. What temp was your bike running at? Mine is an 02.

Mine is a 1999, with no digital readout. It went into the red zone just before the boiling point.

11-13-2007, 4:24 PM	#2
shovelstrokeed Join Date: Dec 16 2006 Location: S. Fla Posts: 302	Re: Overheating When you calm down, try checking to see if your pressure cap is sealing properly and maybe have the system pressure checked at a radiator shop. My bike, an '01 with a digital temprature gauge, will get up to around 215 to 218 degrees at a stop light, up to about 230 in 15 minutes of stopped traffic. In neither case to I get coolant overflow or boil off.

11-13-2007, 5:49 PM	#3
redxxrdr Craig Join Date: Nov 21 2006 Location: Sumner, Ga Age: 50 Posts: 315	Re: Overheating +1 on the radiator cap. Mine had residue under the seal which let coolant overflow early. Also make sure the radiator vanes are straight and clean. Did you buy her new? What coolant is in her? Silicate based coolants wear the waterpump seals and impeller. I think you can remove the hose from the pump and get a look inside. these bikes run hot, and seem to do better at higher rpms (4K). My 01 likes higher rpm's and at least 40 mph to cool well.

11-13-2007, 7:06 PM	#4
Nutter67 Moderator Join Date: Aug 31 2007 Location: Seaford, Victoria, Australia Age: 42 Posts: 4,516	Re: Overheating The BB normally runs hot, especially if you are going slow, in traffic, or riding in the "dirty" air behind cars or trucks. Check your radiator cap and also your coolant levels. __________________ *Paul* *Never let a motorcycle take you somewhere your brain didn't get to three seconds earlier*

11-13-2007, 8:28 PM	#5
Venus97 Join Date: Nov 24 2006 Location: Greensboro, NC Age: 45 Posts: 441	Re: Overheating I would also check to make sure you do not have air trapped inside the system. If you bought it used, someone may have done it and accidentally not purged the system right.

11-14-2007, 12:43 PM	#6
TWEET Moderator Join Date: Oct 31 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 240	Re: Overheating Yeah welcome to you too... Consider checking what the guys above mentioned and the thermostat, if it is not opening enough, water is restricted from flowing fast enough. __________________ "Clear For Takeoff"

11-14-2007, 4:48 PM	#7
chooowie Join Date: Apr 12 2007 Location: croatia Age: 32 Posts: 92	Re: Overheating You know, thermodinamic of the fluids is large and very sensitive area.Sometimes it takes a lot of attention to solve the problem. Riding under too high (also too low) temperatures could do a lot of harm to your bird, so don´t leave fixing problem for ˝tomorow˝! There are 2 reasons why temp. gauge is showing high temp. 1) temp. gauge is lieing 2) temp. is high If temp. is high, there are 2 major reasons to it. 1) engine is generating too much heat, more than it should 2) engine is generating heat normaly, but the cooling system is malfunctioning, so it doesnt take the heat away First check what can be easily checked visualy. If radiator is filled with dirt clean it with compresed air, DO NOT use water if not neccesary. If fields(dont know english word for it) on the front side of the radiator are bended so fresh air cant circulate thru it, put them straight using something like woodem toothpick. DO NOT use screwdriwer or any sharp metal object because you might damage radiator permanently. Make sure that all plastics around radiator are in their place. I had case on my ex bike that air was going around radiator instead thru it, all becouse of 50x200 mm peace of plastic was not where it was supposed to be. If radiator is ok from the outside, check coolant level and make sure you dont have the ˝airbag˝ inside. Do not open hot, when you open it cold and start engine, coolant should circulate smoothly without bubbles. If bubbles apear your head gasket is dead. If your temperature gauge is showing high temp, then radiator should also be hot when you touch it. If not, then coolant isnt circulating properly. That can be due to malfunction of themostat or water pump. I could be writing about possible reasons and scenarios whole night ( not becouse Im too smart, Im only typing too slowly ha-ha) Try checking this, or send more data, like how many miles you got on it, where you drive it( aint same driving it in Australia or Russia), city or open road..... For any comments or questions send me pm hope this helped

11-23-2007, 5:49 PM	#8
1ecnirp1 Join Date: Nov 17 2007 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Age: 40 Posts: 20	Re: Overheating My 00 BB runs hot. Just had the bike serviced incl. replacement of the coolant, rode the bike home, got stuck in traffic and I'd say about half a cup of lime green coolant was expelled out of the overflow! Never happended before. And today, I could hear the coolant boiling.... never noticed this before, not even with a new 04 BB I used to own. Needle would be 1/2 to 3/4 on the gauge... fan starts when needle is 1/2 way.... but hearing the boiling sound when I bent down to remove some dirt off the fairing, this is somewhat concerning???? Last edited by 1ecnirp1; 11-23-2007 at 6:14 PM.

11-24-2007, 6:15 AM	#9
chooowie Join Date: Apr 12 2007 Location: croatia Age: 32 Posts: 92	Re: Overheating That is definitely tooooooo hot

11-24-2007, 8:52 AM	#10
Helvet Need 4 speed = Food 4 thought! Join Date: Oct 21 2006 Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Age: 46 Posts: 377	Re: Overheating My 1999 bird had exactly the same problem. We tried all solutions above, no results...... To be able to go on a holiday, I mounted a manual switch for the fan, and switched it on most of the time. When that had a positive effect it got me thinking.... I concluded that the fan started too late, so the coolent started to boil before it could be cooled by the radiator. The thermo-switch for the fan was replaced (it's not expensive), and no more problems since..... __________________ I'm not broke, I'm broken. I'm so poor I can't even pay attention. www.afsmotorparts.nl

11-24-2007, 9:24 AM	#11
XXTi Join Date: Oct 22 2006 Location: Bixby, Oklahoma Posts: 144	Re: Overheating I wouldn't worry about the bike overheating if the temp gauge is not getting into the red zone. My '00 has done the same thing in traffic for years with no apparent problems. I would, however, be a little concerned about the coolant overflowing the reservoir. Mine has never done that. As others have said, check your radiator cap and make sure your coolant level is correct. __________________ Jim

11-24-2007, 8:39 PM	#12
DJM Join Date: Nov 24 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland Australia Age: 60 Posts: 18	Re: Overheating Although anti corrosion solutions (anti-boil anti-freeze) raise the boiling point of the coolant, it also causes the engine to run hotter than straight water.Too higher coolant to water ratio can cause the temp to rise dramatically, I would suggest draining the fluid and refilling as per the manual for your model. DJM.

11-24-2007, 9:01 PM	#13
bikenut06 Join Date: Oct 11 2007 Location: Palmerston North New Zealand Age: 50 Posts: 24	Re: Overheating Just punchered my radiator and have removed it myself, pretty easy really. Shop is going to epoxy it they say this is all they can do. Does any body know the Antifreeze/water ratio weather 1 to 1 or straight from the bottle meaning full strength any help would be appreciated My bike normal to hard running, runs at 81 to 84 degrees and in traffic in town will rise to 104 degrees __________________

11-25-2007, 5:43 AM	#14
chooowie Join Date: Apr 12 2007 Location: croatia Age: 32 Posts: 92	Re: Overheating I`m using 1:1 water:antifreeze ratio and it`s keeping temp in 1-st quarter of gauge, just a little bit over minimum. Don`t know how much is that in degrees. Fan starts running nearly half way to red zone. I`ve done most of my riding betwen 15 - 35 celsius degrees.

11-25-2007, 7:30 AM	#15
X1rider PaveLow Join Date: Nov 24 2006 Location: Metro Atlanta GA. Age: 52 Posts: 1,260	Re: Overheating Engine Ice works great!

11-25-2007, 12:06 PM	#16
redxxrdr Craig Join Date: Nov 21 2006 Location: Sumner, Ga Age: 50 Posts: 315	Re: Overheating A couple of reminders, The hoses and clamps do loosen with age. I have experienced it, and have read of it more than once. If water vented through a hose, you may not have enough in the overflow to automatically refill the system. I recommend checking all hose clamps, and the radiator coolant level every other oil change. Do it immediately if you overflow. You check your oil and gas levels, why not your coolant? As stated earlier, I also had crud under my radiator cap seal. This lowers the pressure of the system, which lowers the boiling point. You may then overflow the overflow bottle. This may not give you enough coolant to automatically refill the system when it cools.

04-11-2008, 6:48 AM	#21
bullet 'Bird' me up scotty... Join Date: Jun 12 2007 Location: GREECE-ATHENS Age: 38 Posts: 867	Re: Overheating ..could be also a stuck open thermostat valve...hot water continues to circulate through the whole circuit .... __________________ http://blackbirdxx.ning.com/profile/BuLLeT CBR XX 2002 K&N AIRFILTER - DUAL BOS CARBON FIBER EXHAUSTS- METZELER SPORTECH M3 - EBC BRAKE PADS - PC III USB

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11-25-2007, 1:14 PM	#17
CanadianBird Join Date: Nov 25 2006 Location: canada Posts: 3,196	Re: Overheating I recommend Motul coolant. I haven't used engine ice and it never gets hot enough in the PNW to worry. However when travelling in very hot weather during July and August, I've only had a problem once. I just pulled over till the traffic jam abated. Birds do not enjoy sitting still in hot weather moving an "inch" at a time. Often I ride the "shoulder" in long jams although lane splitting is frowned upon. Of course taking much of the above advice is recommended. Motul makes great MC products.

11-25-2007, 1:55 PM	#18
Partsguy Join Date: Dec 23 2006 Location: SW Ont,Canada Posts: 712	Re: Overheating Sounds like pressure loss,which is usually the rad cap.I have had the exact situation you describe on one of my bikes once and it was the cap.Loose clamps usually leak right where they are loose. 2ND the Motul reccommendation,everything they make is good stuff.I use Liquid Performance coolant which helped the 600.Bypassing the fan switch is an excellent idea for the XX,and one of these days I'm going to do it too.

12-08-2007, 11:20 PM	#19
1ecnirp1 Join Date: Nov 17 2007 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Age: 40 Posts: 20	Re: Overheating Yep, the overheating on my XX I'm told was the radiator cap. Worked fine before the service.... now my Honda dealer are trying to find a replacement... I could be without my BB for almost 2 weeks!!!

04-11-2008, 10:40 PM	#22
scooter02 Join Date: Apr 04 2008 Location: Piedmont SC USA Age: 41 Posts: 22	Re: Overheating The bike has 1600 miles on it, the guy I bought it from got it brand new in 02 and only put 1600 on it so it sat alot in a garage. He kept it very clean and he seemed to be very particular about his stuff. I was kind of wondering if maybe sitting so much the thermostat could be stuck open.