1 Thermostat Question Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:44 pm
Bikesmith
Silver member
Hi everyone!
I'm trying to track down an overheating problem... maybe. On the first real ride after I got my 1985 K100rs running, it wouldn't hot start. Someone suggested that the FICU is not letting the bike start because it thinks the bike is too hot. I'm pretty sure my temperature sensor is faulty. I'm replacing it. In the meantime, I'm checking out the whole cooling system just in case.
I drained the system and pulled the radiator today. It had green coolant, which I've been lead to believe is bad. Not aluminum specific, right? I'll refill with the correct stuff after a flush.
I also cleaned a ton of bugs and grains of sand out of the radiator and straightened a few bent fins.
I'm checking the thermostat, and it seems to be opening a little hot. The Clymer book says it should open at 176-185F. It's opening at more like 190-195F. Is that a problem? Should I replace it? If yes, any suggestions for an inexpensive replacement thermostat? I haven't even looked at the BMW price. I'm sure it's ridiculous.
Thanks guys!
-Jon
I'm trying to track down an overheating problem... maybe. On the first real ride after I got my 1985 K100rs running, it wouldn't hot start. Someone suggested that the FICU is not letting the bike start because it thinks the bike is too hot. I'm pretty sure my temperature sensor is faulty. I'm replacing it. In the meantime, I'm checking out the whole cooling system just in case.
I drained the system and pulled the radiator today. It had green coolant, which I've been lead to believe is bad. Not aluminum specific, right? I'll refill with the correct stuff after a flush.
I also cleaned a ton of bugs and grains of sand out of the radiator and straightened a few bent fins.
I'm checking the thermostat, and it seems to be opening a little hot. The Clymer book says it should open at 176-185F. It's opening at more like 190-195F. Is that a problem? Should I replace it? If yes, any suggestions for an inexpensive replacement thermostat? I haven't even looked at the BMW price. I'm sure it's ridiculous.
Thanks guys!
-Jon
__________________________________________________
Jon
Mechanically competent, electrically perplexed
------------------------------------
1985 BMW K100RS
1959 BMW R60
1942 Chevrolet 3/4-ton Special
1940 Royal Enfield WD/CO
1975 Porsche 911S