08 overheating problems? : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

AccelJunkie · 05-10-2008, 04:29 PM

O.K. I'll start by saying this is the one and only problem with this bike(I'm pretty picky) I'll back it out of the garage stone cold on a cool day 60-70 deg. drive through town in traffic for maybe 15min and get to a busy street with stop and go traffic and 5-7 min later the temp gauge is pegged. The fan comes on as it should about half on the gauge but it seems like the fan just can't keep it cool. This has me worried because it's not even warm out. I can cruise all day on the highway without a problem but if I come up to a traffic jam I start to worry. I wish it had a real gauge so I could now how hot it really is. The bike has 400 miles on it and I know new tight engine=heat, but I think this is a little much. Anybody else run into this problem? Do you think that fan from Muzzy's would do anything?

camperjohn64 · 05-10-2008, 07:02 PM

My engine is also burning hot while standing still. Up to the point where the guage is all the way to the top (there is not really a redzone on the ZX-14)

So yes, it does seem to just pour heat out of the engine, but I don't think it is something to be worried about unless the bike shuts itself down.

I am in San Diego and it's pretty hot here too.

AccelJunkie · 05-10-2008, 08:15 PM

So is it normal for the gauge just to sit on the highest bar without hurting the engine or boiling over?

r1 daveone · 05-11-2008, 06:59 AM

I noticed the same with my 14 but I spoke to my cuz and a few other 14 owners and they kinda run on the warm side unless on the highway but I don't think its anything to worry about unless the high temp light comes on. I dont know if the bike can automaticly shut off to prevent engine damage but if so u prolly don't want that to happen to realize its overheating. About the muzzys fan I purchased it and its a bitch to install it was easyr to intall a full exhaust system!

AccelJunkie · 05-11-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r1 daveone

I noticed the same with my 14 but I spoke to my cuz and a few other 14 owners and they kinda run on the warm side unless on the highway but I don't think its anything to worry about unless the high temp light comes on. I dont know if the bike can automaticly shut off to prevent engine damage but if so u prolly don't want that to happen to realize its overheating. About the muzzys fan I purchased it and its a bitch to install it was easyr to intall a full exhaust system!

So did you notice any difference with the Muzzy fan? I'm thinking of doing it when I do my exhaust.

Az-ZX-14 · 05-12-2008, 03:54 PM

I have an 08 in Phoenix. During my 1st 500 miles I had similar issues. Don't worry about over heating yet. your 08 will give you an extreme hot message as your getting into the danger zone. This flashes like the low fuel indicator.

I questioned the dealer about the level of coolant because it was toward the low side indicator. After swithing to a full Muzzy exaust I added coolant to the upper level. - By way of the radiator cap. It took about two cups of fluid but only raised slightly in the resivoir. I now run three bars up in 105 degree weather. Even in stop and go. Pop the cap and make sure the fluid is to the top of the radiator. It really helped me.

BlueBomber14 · 05-12-2008, 10:23 PM

The 07 runs the same I ran all summer last year in the heat and never had any overheating issues. If you want the extra insurance drain and flush the system and put in the "water wetter" or similar coolant it will drop the temp by qiute a bit.

Craig Ishigo · 05-12-2008, 11:05 PM

It does run cooler with the Muzzy aluminum fan. If you're not going to ride in the cold, you don't need Anti-freeze so change over to a good Coolant. I also run all my rides with Royal Purple full synthetic 20w-50. Check into a fuel management system, Power Commander PCIII to help.

RedneckHillbilly · 05-13-2008, 05:11 PM

all of them do this , its not overheating , if you boil out your coolant then you got problems

man00 · 05-14-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Az-ZX-14

I have an 08 in Phoenix. During my 1st 500 miles I had similar issues. Don't worry about over heating yet. your 08 will give you an extreme hot message as your getting into the danger zone. This flashes like the low fuel indicator.

I questioned the dealer about the level of coolant because it was toward the low side indicator. After swithing to a full Muzzy exaust I added coolant to the upper level. - By way of the radiator cap. It took about two cups of fluid but only raised slightly in the resivoir. I now run three bars up in 105 degree weather. Even in stop and go. Pop the cap and make sure the fluid is to the top of the radiator. It really helped me.

Three bars is what 186f ? If you only seeing that in 105 degree stop and go traffic I would question the readings the indicator is showing.

LOWFLYER · 05-20-2008, 08:55 AM

I have an 07 and was wondering the same thing as it also runs warm unless I'm moving. Never seen it get all the way to the top, but it gets 1 bar below and I was kinda worried, thanks for the post, I'll check my coolant.

madmax2295 · 05-20-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedneckHillbilly

all of them do this , its not overheating , if you boil out your coolant then you got problems

werd

changing oil may help a bit, but its normal