STILL overheating... I'm about to give up on this thing!!

Just got my 2007 back from the shop. This is the third shop that I've taken it to since it started overheating. The first one just checked my coolant levels. The second one couldn't get it to overheat and so they made it so my fan would run all of the time instead of at whatever temp it's supposed to come on at.

This third shop (at a dealer) also couldn't get it to overheat and couldn't find any problems. So I told them to go ahead and change the thermostat as I KNEW that as soon as I got it back from them it would overheat again. So they changed the thermostat AND put Engine Ice in it. The result it overheated when I rode home from the shop. I took it out again the next morning. It was early and beautiful. I rode for about 45 min and only stopped 2 or 3 times. On 95 North doing anywhere between 80-90 it overheated again. WTH??

At this point, I want to just trade it in on something else. I probably would do it without question if I had more cash.

One last question for you guys: I have aftermarket (Leo Vince) exhaust. Could that be the difference maker? I don't have a power commander and the guy at the dealer said that would be the next thing to do if it overheated again. But I don't want to spend even more money if it's just a possible fix.

 

Is it actually overheating or just running hotter than you think it should? Has anyone checked the water pump. I wouldn't leave the fan running all the time, that will just lead to burnt up fan motors. Before "fixing" the fan did they verify it turning on at 220-221 degrees?

 

Sorry to hear about your problem. That is not normal for 2007 VFR
What is highest the temp. you saw and what is the outside temp?
Let try again before you give up.
Wonder if you are close to Tampa so Candyred can take a look for you.
Calling for Candyred Hellllooo........Helllooooo

 

What was the temperature out side and what temperature did it get up to?

Could be running a little lean with exhaust, a Power Commander would be a good overall investment.

 

I've run a set Leo's on my bike since new (purchased as a leftover in Jan '11), no power commander, no other engine/ tuning mods. NEVER overheated (20k miles). I think the highest temp I've seen is 230-235, stop N go traffic deep in the 90's for ambient air temp. I should add I've never touched/ changed the coolant.

Are you sure its not just puking up coolant from being overfilled? Recently happened to a buddy of mine with his FZ6 after being serviced.

 

I remember you posting about this before (I think), but has any one of these shops checked/replaced your rad cap?

 

+1 on the radiator cap as a possible source. Also I've seen cooling systems that aren't properly bleed do strange things as well.

 

Forgot to mention that the last shop did put the fan back to the way it should be. The new thermostat and/or Engine Ice did improve it somewhat but it still got up to 255. Odd thing was that it got that hot at speed (80-90). So, I decided that when I got to my exit I'd get a coffee at Starbucks and let it cool down. But as soon as I stopped at the end of the off ramp, it started to cool down.

I don't know for sure that any of the shops checked my radiator cap. I assume so but it was never discussed.

Same for the water pump.

 

Heating up AT SPEED is an indicator of clogged radiator. Has anyone ever used stop leak on it? That sh*t was made by the devil.....

 

Obviously something is not right. I just swapped fan blades and changed coolant, so I am very familiar with this.
Here is a diagram of the system:


With bike cool, take off radiator cap and start bike. Shine light in neck, you should see coolant flowing out of large hose at top into right radiator. Make sure all hoses are correctly installed. There was a post from someone else with same problem and they had hoses incorrectly installed.
Here is link: http://vfrworld.com/forums/showthread.php/46007-Fan-radiator-water-pump-issue-2002-VFR

 

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

 

Don't give up yet............We are here for you :wink:
Follow Allyance diagram and check the cap.
Where is Ridervfr and Candyred

 

Don't give up, there has to be a logical answer! If sensor says engine is a 255 degrees and fan has not come on, then the temp in the radiator is not hot enough to turn fan on. Shouldn't get that hot. When you get this all sorted out, I would do an oil change after those extreme temperatures.

 

As Arnzinator pointed out, I've seen air pockets that weren't properly bled out cause some weird overheating issues. The way it started cooling when you came to a stop seems like it could have air in the system. You'll get it sorted, just keep working at it.

 

I'd definitely follow the advise of bleeding the system of any possible trapped air as per the service manual (note the air bleed hose in diagram provided by Allyance). I've seen trapped air cause overheating issues in more than a few car and truck engines.

Also check for any intake vacuum leaks, partially kinked coolant hoses, and an advanced spark timing condition (not sure if the timing is adjustable on your bike tho... ).

Worse comes to worse, you might need to check for a bad head gasket with a cooling system pressure tester and/or one of the coolant dyes made for this purpose.

 

Think back to when this problem started. Did it start suddenly or did it just gradually get hotter and hotter? Did it start after some type service was performed or just start?

 

Hmmm just thinking out loud here, everyone keeps saying coolant or air in coolant but i would think you and three shops should have gotten all the air out of the system. I'm wondering if the oil cooler is clogged or as mentioned above - head gasket.

 

I still think it's the water pump impeller becoming loose when it heats up. I chased down a problem like this in a car once and when cold the water pump was fine. Took it out as a final check and heated it up with a heat gun and as soon as it started getting warm I could turn the impeller on the shaft.Replaced the pump and it didn't overheat again.

 

When the temp indicated 255 had the fan come on? I also thought that I once read that these bikes would go into limp mode or shut down at something like 240 to protect from over heating. Just wondered if the sensor could be giving a false reading and it is actually in normal operating temp range. Probably not that simple, but wouldn't that be nice. Good luck.
john