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Street Triple R heating issue

Discussion in 'Tech Help' started by Maree, Nov 16, 2015.

  1. Maree
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    Maree Member

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    Have noticed lately that when my bike gets hot (which is when it reaches 6 bars out of a possible 8) it is dropping coolant from what appears to be an overflow tube but I can hear what sounds like boiling water and the coolant tank appears to be bubbling.
    Does anyone know why this may be happening?
     
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  2. Ron50
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    Ron50 Member

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    I'd suggest:
    Make sure the radiator is full rather than just checking the overflow bottle: a faulty cap can cause this.
    The coolant is boiling or combustion gases are getting into the cooling system so avoid riding it if you can until you find the problem or you might do more expensive damage.
    Check that it's not simply bugs obstructing the radiator.
    An air leak from a loose clamp can cause the coolant not to suck back into the radiator.
    A faulty thermostat will cause overheating, as will a faulty fan system.
    Last but most horrible, the head gasket may be leaking, and extended overheating may have warped or cracked the head.
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2015
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  3. Maree
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    Thanks Ron. I'll see what I can find. Sigh.
     
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  4. Maree
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    Ok. Radiator has a dead bee stick in it so don't think that's the issue. Can't see any splits or leaks in any hoses. Took the radiator cap off and it seemed like that sucked all the coolant out of the reservoir. That bit doesn't seem right, but I don't know what would cause that? Ideas?

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  5. Maree
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    By the way, the bike doesn't throw up any warning lights or anything.

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  6. Jimmc
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    Is the radiator full or does it need coolant to top it up?
     
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  7. Maree
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    When I opened the radiator to checked the coolant seemed to be sucked out of the reservoir and overflowed out of the radiator.
     
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  8. Jimmc
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    I would try a radiator cap. These problems are usually the cap losing pressure to the reservoir, as the radiator does not seem to be losing coolant, so that is good.
     
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  9. Maree
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    The rubber on the cap seems fine. Spring is stiff but I'm not sure how easily it should move? I just checked the cap a few minutes ago and now after taking the cap off twice the coolant reservoir is completely drained :( Hope it's something as simple as a dodgy radiator cap!
     
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  10. Jimmc
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    You have probably lost some coolant due to the overflow from the pressure. Once all cool check the radiator is full and then replace what's needed in the res. The cap needs to be a specific pressure to make the system work and you won't know the difference by pushing it. They are the cheapest but one of the most important items. Good luck. As Ron said also check the hose clamps are all tight but I would say it is probably a 5 year old radiator cap that's lost it's spring pressure.
     
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  11. Maree
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    Thanks @Jimmc . I'll try and get a new one. If it isn't that, having a new radiator cap won't hurt anyway. :)
     
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  12. supamodel
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    Seems to be a Triumph thing, I know of a couple of street triples doing it. Rad cap is the usual first suggestion to start with.
     
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  13. Ron50
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    If coolant overflowed from the radiator when you took the cap off it sounds like the overflow is mounted above the level of the radiator and gravity feeds to the radiator. There are two valves in the radiator cap: the large one that seals the neck that you felt the spring tension of and saw appeared to have a good seal, and a smaller one inside that operates in the other direction to allow coolant from the overflow tank back into the radiator when the engine cools. It's looking like that may be the culprit. Fingers crossed, Maree.
    P.S. With a gravity feed system you'll have to fill the radiator, put the cap on, fill the overflow to the right level, let the engine go through a heating cycle or two and check the level in the overflow tank again once any air bubbles are out of the system.
    Some gravity systems have the pressure cap on the overflow tank, where the tank is really an auxiliary top tank for the radiator, but if the radiator had a pressure cap and the overflow tank just a normal cap this wouldn't be the case with your bike.
     
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  14. Maree
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    Ron the overflow tank does sit higher than the radiator. Was reading through some forums last night and it seems to be a common thing with this bike. Will check the tightness of all hose clamps and top up the coolant. Will also try to get a new radiator cap just in case that's all it is. Fingers crossed.

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  15. metaltriumph
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    its a triumph thing - every now and then my S3 does it - its just over flow from the overflow, but its not full. get it? neither do I

    Just do the usual checks and be prepared to give the radiator a flush and refill a bit more often, maybe with each service - as the insides of the radiators are known to corrode in some cases meaning that the coolant that you saw come out will eventually come out brown and stain the concrete...

    sometimes happens when you lend your bike to @Studbag and he maintains he didnt flog it hard.

    PS: if it happens everytime? if its the same issue as most have - leave it and it will stop - its because the radiator and overflow are both full and it will purge enough out soon enough.
     
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  16. Ron50
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    The main purpose of the "overflow" tank isn't to catch extra coolant; it's to prevent coolant loss from foaming caused by coolant and air mixing, and to allow the radiator to be pressurized more quickly.
    If the system is operating correctly there is no air in the radiator to mix with the coolant - no air gap at the top radiator tank.
    If somebody borrows your bike and runs it at a higher temperature - you know how it is on a hot day!:1.gif: - some of the coolant can vapourise if the overflow tank is low or there's an air leak in the system, maybe from the water pump seal having to operate against its normal direction, or if the cap is faulty. Then foaming can begin and the bike will keep giving all the signs of overheating because foam expands and doesn't cool like liquid.
    If the temperature sensor is mounted high in the engine this can also cause the gauge to read low because it won't be in contact with coolant, just foam. The engine could be boiling but the gauge might show 3/4.
    And when the engine cools the foam shrinks but doesn't give the same vacuum in the radiator that would result with no air gap. So top up coolant from the overflow tank isn't sucked in as hard as it should be to overcome the spring pressure from the drawback valve in the cap.
    So when the bike heats up again the process is repeated unless the cause is rectified.
    P.S. I prefer air-cooled bikes.
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2015
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  17. CT90
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    Mine (R1) had a bit of crap/paint or something under the rubber on the cap and in the radiator where it seals against. Cleaned it out and refilled, much better.
     
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  18. archetypicalone
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    Mine does that when it considers itself too full - anything above the minimum line on the overflow tank. I've never seen it get above 6 bars either. I would change out your radiator cap for peace of mind (I did and it didn't change anything, but it was only cheap and still worth doing) and maybe get your system flushed and new coolant in to see if that helps. Also check the bleed screw in the top of the radiator on the other side, and your clamps coming out of your radiator.
     
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  19. metaltriumph
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    So I went ahead and flushed my coolant because a) it needed it and b) wanted to do some troubleshooting for this issue.

    1. Empty Coolant by removing the radiator cap and disconnecting the hose at the base of the water pump.
    2. Reconnect hose, fill with your choice of radiator flush and de-mineralised water, run for 10-15 minutes, dont forget to fill the overflow reservoir
    3. Empty the flush and water by removing the radiator cap and disconnecting the hose at the base of the water pump as per step 1
    4. Fill and flush with de-mineralised water (only) till you are satisfied that all the old coolant and radiator flush is out.
    5. Remove all liquid from overflow bottle (I used a large syringe)
    5. Remove bleed screw on RHS radiator, reconnect hoses and refill radiator with coolant.
    6. Run bike and top up with more coolant - wait for liquid to come out of bleed screw before tightening again.
    7. Watch in awe when your bike dumps a puddle of coolant on the ground after your first ride (even though the overflow was purged)
    8. recheck levels next day - find everything is all good.

    I can confirm that i have no faulty parts, no air blocks or issues - and the coolant still dumped.

    I believe this is more to do with the indicated MIN/MAX levels in the overflow than with any faults or problems.

    HOWEVER - it might happen once or twice until it finds its happy level - but not every single time...
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2015
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  20. zaccy182
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    My 11 Daytona used to sit at min mark on the expansion bottle when cold and once hot it was at the max mark. I think the Daytona uses a different cooling system but still. Never had overflow issues. Hopefully it's fixed now!
     
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