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GPZ500 Overheating and starting problems

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mjshort
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 10 May 2008
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PostPosted: 12:00 - 20 Apr 2009    Post subject: GPZ500 Overheating and starting problems Reply with quote
Hi, Im having problems with my 04 GPZ 500. Its got just under 15k miles on it.
Iv noticed that its starting to overheat when I give it some stick (looked in the coolant reservoir tank and it lookd like all the coolant had been spit into it!).
Im also having problems starting it, this morning I was gutted, nicest day of the year and I couldn't get it to start. I can hear it turning over but nothing happens.
Any ideas?? Cheers.
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mjshort
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Joined: 10 May 2008
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PostPosted: 11:58 - 22 Apr 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nobody got any ideas? I dont really want to take it to the garage and spend a fortune if its a simple fix I can do myself.
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ram_doom
World Chat Champion



Joined: 25 Mar 2006
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PostPosted: 12:11 - 22 Apr 2009    Post subject: Re: GPZ500 Overheating and starting problems Reply with quote
mjshort wrote:
Hi, Im having problems with my 04 GPZ 500. Its got just under 15k miles on it.
Iv noticed that its starting to overheat when I give it some stick (looked in the coolant reservoir tank and it lookd like all the coolant had been spit into it!).
Im also having problems starting it, this morning I was gutted, nicest day of the year and I couldn't get it to start. I can hear it turning over but nothing happens.
Any ideas?? Cheers.


Headgasket? What does the oil look like?
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joan33987
Renault 5 Driver



Joined: 05 Apr 2009
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PostPosted: 16:24 - 22 Apr 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
No start have the following reasons:

No spark!?
No fuel!?
No Compression!?

You said it has overheated before, do you think that it might have damaged the piston or piston rings or head gasket? which will make compression poor.

Water pump not working!? contributing to overheating problem?
Yeah, how is the oil?

When was the last time you rode the bike?

Where're you based? I own a 1992 GPZ500s
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current toys: Skygo SG125-J 125cc stolen again 1992 Kawasaki GPZ500S (crashed damaged) 1996 Renault Clio 1.2 2005 CG125 project
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mjshort
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Joined: 10 May 2008
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PostPosted: 21:19 - 22 Apr 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
water pump should be fine, it was overheating before my service so they check that too. they changed the spark plugs so they should also be fine, it was starting first time after it was changed too.
ill check the oil tomorrow night see if theres any problems with it. bearing in mind im not a mechanic (most complicated thing iv done is a service and replaced an exhaust) how hard would it be to fix the head gasket or the pistons if thats what the problem is?
based in co durham too.
cheers Smile
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Phil_G
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Joined: 27 Mar 2006
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PostPosted: 23:30 - 22 Apr 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
mjshort wrote:
water pump should be fine, it was overheating before my service so they check that too. they changed the spark plugs so they should also be fine, it was starting first time after it was changed too.
ill check the oil tomorrow night see if theres any problems with it. bearing in mind im not a mechanic (most complicated thing iv done is a service and replaced an exhaust) how hard would it be to fix the head gasket or the pistons if thats what the problem is?
based in co durham too.
cheers Smile


Look at the oil level window. If there is a creamy beigey substance visible, then there is a fair chance the h/g has failed and is letting water and oil mix.

I would say though, if you're not 100% confident that you can fix the motor, then I wouldn't attempt it. given personal experience, it may just be easier to source a known good used engine.

edit to add: Also, if you suspect failure of the h/g watch the "expansion tank" for the cooling system. If you manage to start it then look for a stream of bubbles that increases when you open the throttle. If you get this, then it's another indicator of failure (gases escaping into cooling system.)

ta
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stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 00:24 - 23 Apr 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Coolant spitting thing might well be the head gasket. Tends to be rev dependant. If it only spits the coolant over a certain rev speed but behaves below that, I'd be mightily suspicious.

If the coolant hoses get rock hard as it's happening, this would be another warning sign of a blown head gasket.

This shouldn't really prevent it starting though. Try giving the ignition switch a good scoosh of WD40 and work the key back and forth.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 16 years, 45 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
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