Bike over-heating! Help!

chris50cc · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Karma :

I have a Gilera DNA 50 and when i was on my way to work the other day my display told me my bike was almost 100 degrees!! Anyway long story short, its over heating. I've just filled it up with coolant as i had discovered it was runnin pretty low and i've just took it out for a short spin to see what happened.... its heating up again!! Is this normal, does it take a while for it to kick in or do i have a problem? can anybody help?
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Harold_Shand · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Karma :

Any leaks? Hoses tight? Bottle split? Cap intact?

chris50cc · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Karma :

No leaks as far as i'm aware but there is every possibility. Oil and Coolant are full
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mrchips · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Karma :

Gilera DNAs have that in common with Renault 5 GT Turbos then. Must be going too fast. Tut Tut

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chris50cc · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Karma :

Mrchips... your not helping. I took it easy and stuck to 30mph when i took it out before just to check what happens and its still overheating!
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loply · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

Does it have a fan on the radiator? Does the fan work?
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Rob · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Mar 2002 Karma :

mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

Do water cooled bikes have coolant pumps? If so, it's possible yours isn't working.
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chris50cc · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Karma :

yea they have pumps i think. After about 80 degrees my screen flashes to let me know its too hot and i should consider stopping. Don't know about a fan but the radiator seems ok. I'm really worried about it. I'll have to take it to a garage where they'll charge me about 100 quid to look at it!!!
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stryker · Brolly Dolly Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Karma :

Some, well lots have a thermostat somewhere inline with the plumbing. The thermostat closes and prevents water circulation when the engine is cold and needs to warm up.

Chances are, your has stuck in closed or part closed position. You'll need to look over your bike for one, then check it.
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zip70 · Nova Slayer Joined: 01 Jul 2004 Karma :

nope stryker thats not possible because the piaggio/gilera engines have the thermostat screwed into the head.

I would guess that either the radiator has got shit all over it, or there is a problem with the water pump..assuming ther are no leaks (or a fucked up temp sensor!)

If you are mechanically minded then you can take the water pump out for inspection, but it is a pain in the arse job and not for a beginner!

Anyway, if you take the transmission cover off, then take the variator off, then you will see the oil pump, which is attached to the throttle cable. Unscrew it and remove it, you will see a metal shaft.

Take off the clip holding the bearings onto the shaft, and pull the shaft out with some molegrips, VERY hard pull and it will come out, if there is a problem with the impellor you should be able to see. However if it is broken it is a BIG job to take it apart!! splitting the cases etc full engine strip will cost you lots :S :S :S

what an essay LOL

simon1221 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

hmmmmm......

so that what was at the other end of the throttle cable Confused

i would check that the coolant is actually going round first, by taking the lid off the coolant bottle when cold and starting the engine up slowly, if you see coolant gushing out of the pipe to your right, then its fine, if you dont then rev it a bit slightly but then if still not then i dunno

it really isnt a job for a beginner to take the variator off

take it to a garage will be the safest option

but if you do do it yourself be aware that there are haynes manuals for these bike floating around somewhere in the world, so try and get one of those first, i never had the chance to get one as by the time it had come out i was sellin me bike

zip70 · Nova Slayer Joined: 01 Jul 2004 Karma :

yep doubt a haynes manual will show you how to do that!!

also just remembered that you will need to take the thingymajog on the other side of the engine, just had a mind blank the gold generator/alternator thing!! and below it is a bolt, the bottom most bolt holding the cases together needs to be removed as it holds the other end of the impellor.

ANYWAY! dont do it unless you are good with bike engines or know somebody who is!

tom

divuk83 · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2003 Karma :

Are you sure the bike is really that hot. Could just be a duff thermostat or a faulty guage.

Dave

chris50cc · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Karma :

After further analysis i've discovered i have a leak and i'm taking it to the garage tomorrow. Hopefully they won't charge me the earth since i'm only at college and work at bloody argos so i'm skint!! So wish me luck and i'll let you know the result. Thanks for all your help.

Ps. Also discovered i have a nail in my tyre!!!!!! Evil or Very Mad

things get better and better!!
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Bomberman · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Karma :

chris50cc · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Karma :

I've took my bike to the garage and here's the damage:
Need a new water pump: £20
Cost to fit water pump: £40+
New tyre plus fitting: £48

So i'm lookin at a possible £120 Sad

and i'm now skint and bikeless. Its not gonna be a very good christmas!

Woah bomberman, that looks like a pretty big nail! Unlucky!
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Bomberman · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Karma :

Damn, unlucky mate Thumbs Down

I just had to shell out around £200 on mine to fix that tyre and replace my rear shock so I know how you feel Crying or Very sad

As for that nail, I don't think it was just a case of bad luck. The way it was in I think I got purposely spiked Thumbs Down

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chris50cc · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Karma :

Its a right bummer when you have pay out like that.. especially so close to christmas! Thats just pure evil to do that... reckon it was scallys? or do you have any enemies? Evil or Very Mad

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Bomberman · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Karma :

Dom_ · Points Mean Prizes Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

chris50cc · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Karma :

The temp reached 120 degrees but it starts flashing at 100 degrees, like i said though, its in the garage now awaiting a new water pump. I'm in Manchester by the way.

Always way init when you do something out of the norm something goes wrong!! Ah well Bombmer man, you'll have to see what the word on the street is to get them! Wink

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