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Motorcycle radiator fan coming on too late.

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steve_
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PostPosted: 12:34 - 17 Jul 2018    Post subject: Motorcycle radiator fan coming on too late. Reply with quote

Hello.
I was hoping that someone might be able to help me with a problem that I'm having.

I ride a CBR 600F (2002 F4i) and my radiator fan is not coming on until 122 degrees with is also when my temperature warning light comes on.

I'm guessing that my thermostat my be broken as the fan is working it just doesn't know when it should come on!

Would anyone be able to tell me if I'm right or wrong?

Thank you.

Steve.
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Itchy
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PostPosted: 12:42 - 17 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

I ride the same model bike.

The fan comes on around 105-106C.

When it was low on coolant (rad leak) it would come on at 110 and stay on.

An easy solution is to wire up a switch and turn it on manually and keep an eye on the engine temp.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 13:59 - 17 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

Check your coolant levels. Not sure about your bike specifically but the fan switch and the thermostat are not always the same thing or necessarily in the same place. it's possible the coolant level has dropped leaving one or other switch partially uncovered.

Dirty contacts on a temperature sender can also lead to spurious temeprature readings.
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steve_
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PostPosted: 14:48 - 17 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you very much.
I haven't checked my coolant level but it was topped up a few months ago so I kinda ruled it out. I'll change it tonight.

I researched a manual fan switch last night but my first step of bridging the connection to make it live did not work so I put that plan on hold.

I had to get a train to work today and it took me 4x trains and 2 hours when it should have taken 1x train and 55 min so I have decided on a temporary cowboy solution. I have bought 2x 120mm 150 rpm computer fans with I will wire up to my spare battery with a switch (and fuse) to get me through the next few days until I sort it!
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steve_
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PostPosted: 15:09 - 17 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

I forgot to mention that my bike was overheating within 10 min of being started from cold on the drive way. Is this normal?
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LustyLew
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PostPosted: 15:17 - 17 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would say no, that is not normal.

Has it been consistent with the warmer than average weather?

Check the fan/radiator for damage. Check all coolant pipes for leaks, give the pipes a squeeze for any air locks. When was the coolant last fully changed?

Get a workshop manual for your make/model of bike to identify where the relevant sensors are. Give EVERYTHING a good clean and ensure it is in full working order.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 15:38 - 17 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

steve_ wrote:
I forgot to mention that my bike was overheating within 10 min of being started from cold on the drive way. Is this normal?


Ithink you really need to check your coolant levels. Then keep an eye on them in case the head gasket has let go.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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steve_
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PostPosted: 16:23 - 17 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you both very much.
I'll change it and give it a flush and keep you posted!
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Fin
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Joined: 27 Feb 2016
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PostPosted: 18:29 - 17 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

steve_ wrote:

I had to get a train to work today and it took me 4x trains and 2 hours when it should have taken 1x train and 55 min so I have decided on a temporary cowboy solution. I have bought 2x 120mm 150 rpm computer fans with I will wire up to my spare battery with a switch (and fuse) to get me through the next few days until I sort it!


Fuck that!

What did you do to use to test the fan motor itself? I had to use some fairly thick wire on my F3 between the temp sensor connector wires.

Have you got a manual for it?

Finally you could always just remove the thermostat.
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 23:42 - 17 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

2 PC fans? seriously?
they'll be almost useless and why use them at all when you already have a fan designed for the job that works?
A quick check with a meter will tell you how to wire in a manual switch
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 23:59 - 17 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

You usually just need to earth a fan on the switch side for it to come on. Like horns, fans are usually live. So you can have the manual switch in paralell with the standard thermal switch and it will come on with either. If it's this type, the fan switch will only have one wire connected to it. To test the fan, simply short this wire against the head of a bolt on the engine/frame. if there's more than one. Don't do this.

That said, a CBR6 shouldn't need a manual fan switch. Something is wrong with it.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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steve_
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PostPosted: 14:32 - 19 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Guys.

stinkwheel wrote:
Check your coolant levels.


Itchy wrote:
I ride the same model bike.When it was low on coolant (rad leak) it would come on at 110 and stay on.


I topped up my coolant and it took 1 litre so I guess I have a leak to find!
It was a lot better today but it still got up to 125 degrees but that was after 55min of riding.

With regards to the manual switch, I tried to bridge 2 different connections shown in the attachments but neither turned the fan on.
Is this the wrong wire? the wire colour matched the wire going to the fan in the fuse box.

I think my fan my be dead as It was not going when I parked up this morning. I'll check the fuse tonight incase I blew it with my tinkering!
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 14:36 - 19 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

Worth re-checking the coolant level too now you've given it a run. If there is a blowing head gasket, it can pump it straight back out of the expansion tank again.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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Bikeless
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PostPosted: 14:40 - 19 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

When I bridged mine I found a temp sensor on the rad and tapped into the 2 wires adding a 2 pole switch, took 10 minutes.
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steve_
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PostPosted: 16:02 - 19 Jul 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just found this page with a video on how to test the fan.
I did it totally wrong!

https://cbrforum.com/forum/stickies-91/how-check-your-cooling-fan-122988/
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