What are the symptoms of an engine overheating?
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:18 pm
Not happening to me but wondering how you can tell with an air-cooled engine if it is overheating. 
Sorry couldn't resist it.
Z1OwnersClub GB
Kawasaki's Air Coooled Big Fours
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What are the symptoms of an engine overheating?
http://rtest.z1ownersclub.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6421
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:50 pm
It gets very hot.
Sorry couldn't resist it.
Sorry couldn't resist it.
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:03 pm
Loss of power
Partial or complete seizure
Partial or complete seizure
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:23 pm
Best way is to rig up an oil temperature gauge somehow. Even if its just one of those screw into the oil filler cap hole type for £30.
I bought an electronic VW Golf one off Egay with a sender for bout £3 n wired that in on the bars so can keep an eye on it. Was running well hot on warmer summer days sitting at speed on long hikes. Made some cooler take offs for the engine for bout £5 worth of fittings n some scrap alloy plate. Cheap car cooler of Egay again for bout £20 and its never went above 80 degress C since, even at steady 80+mph for 150 miles on a sunny day 2-up with luggage. Good 20-40 degrees difference from before cooler install.
Bit of hassle n fabrication but worth it in my opinion.
I bought an electronic VW Golf one off Egay with a sender for bout £3 n wired that in on the bars so can keep an eye on it. Was running well hot on warmer summer days sitting at speed on long hikes. Made some cooler take offs for the engine for bout £5 worth of fittings n some scrap alloy plate. Cheap car cooler of Egay again for bout £20 and its never went above 80 degress C since, even at steady 80+mph for 150 miles on a sunny day 2-up with luggage. Good 20-40 degrees difference from before cooler install.
Bit of hassle n fabrication but worth it in my opinion.
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:46 pm
I fitted a NTC thermistor to measure cylinder head tempertures of my own bike to log the effects of different ignition settings, hottest so far is just over 350 degrees C (measured just below the inlet camshaft) , temperture at 140mph was just over 240 degrees, but riding slowly back through the pits increased by nearly 50 %, its amazing just how much temperture the aircooled engine takes. Steve
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:06 pm
the only temp censor (pun intended) has been the Swansea area rep complaining every time we stopped on the way to the BMF saying "can you smell oil? I can smell oil is it too hot?" repeat this many times in a hysterical voice!
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:22 pm
Pasc wrote:It gets very hot.
Sorry couldn't resist it.
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:30 am
london calling wrote:Loss of power
Partial or complete seizure
Is there any warning that the engine is about to seize?
and what causes the loss of power and seizure? (don't say overheating!!)
If the engine is getting really hot, then I can visualize the air/petrol mixture igniting due to the high temperature; for seizure, the oil is getting so thin that it no longer lubricates causing even more heating due to friction?
Has anyone heard of one seizing due to overheating? (the worst situation is on a hot day having to stop after doing a hard run)
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:11 pm
02GF74, I think you sound a bit PARANOID..... 
Why are you so concerned
I haven't heard of a bike overheating & seizing, unless there was a particular problem...... like oil shortage, oil pump Donald Ducked, engine component failure... etc.
If the engine is near seizure you may get a NOISE warning - rattling/knocking or some unsual sounds
May get SMOKE
I'd imagine there would be a bit of smoke coming from the engine itswelf (not just exhaust) if its getting dangerously hot.
If the engines been tuned (big bore, etc) its wise to fit a cooler The extra power from the engine will create more heat
Localised heat build up is usually linked with the combustion chamber & pre-ignition (pinking) which is related to either too far advanced timing or too high compression
Generally if there are engine problems they show up in terms of SOUNDS & PERFORMANCE LOSS
Why are you so concerned
I haven't heard of a bike overheating & seizing, unless there was a particular problem...... like oil shortage, oil pump Donald Ducked, engine component failure... etc.
If the engine is near seizure you may get a NOISE warning - rattling/knocking or some unsual sounds
May get SMOKE
I'd imagine there would be a bit of smoke coming from the engine itswelf (not just exhaust) if its getting dangerously hot.
If the engines been tuned (big bore, etc) its wise to fit a cooler
The extra power from the engine will create more heat
Localised heat build up is usually linked with the combustion chamber & pre-ignition (pinking) which is related to either too far advanced timing or too high compression
Generally if there are engine problems they show up in terms of SOUNDS & PERFORMANCE LOSS