94' almost over-heating.

[MK2MR2]

I went out for a ride today after not being able to for a week, and I noticed about 4.5 miles down the road my temps tarted to get higher than it had ever before, I kept it in the tallest possible gear and lowest revs - even in neutral on the downhills but the temp stayed about 2mm away from the red.

I got it home after stopping twice for 20 minutes. I checked the bottle on the right side of the bike (Coolant I assume) and noted that it was nearly empty :o so I added enough to be under the F line.

started her back up, temp was obviously down a titch from sitting, but it went right back up to 2mm below the red.

anyone know whats up? I love my bike, hope this isnt anything too serious.

[e1_ZX-9r]

Replace the radiator thermostat.

[MK2MR2]

something I (reasonable mechanical know-how and tools) can do?

after I replace the thermostat, what needs to be done as far as coolant re-fill procedure?

[MK2MR2]

not the thermostat.

I pulled off my passenger side fairing, re-filled the coolant through the radiator cap, filled the overflow bottle to back up halfway.

drove the bike, ran just fine, the temp stayed 1/5 of the way up like it always used to at low speeds, and 1/4 the way up at highway speed.

where did my coolant I put in the overflow yesterday go? where did my bike lose a quart of coolant?

no white in the exhaust, so its not burning, no abnormal substance on the bottom of the radiator cap, so the head is fine... I dont see anything on my garage floor nearly large enough for that.

any ideas?

[dendrite]

the coolant is drawn back into the radiator . Also i would watch out for cylinder head leakage or any slight cuts or loose hoses . But i would change the thermostate as most bikes never seem to have had them changed ,you could put a zxr 750 L model one in as it opens at a cooler temp than the big 9.

[MK2MR2]

coo - I added more coolant it and it started working fine. only thing is, I opened the overflow yesterday and a ton came out... its like it was all in there, but none was in the overflow bottle -- either way, its workin' perfect again.

[tyzerp]

Probably just a slow leak from a hose. I'm sure it's not on the floor because it's on your fairing. If it's ever been tipped over or anything, check the bottom of the coolant overflow, mine fell in a wind storm and got a hairline crack at the bottom of the bottle.

[MK2MR2]

interesting. I'll have to pull off my fairing and look - my bike has never been tipped luckily, but never hurts to check with an older bike

[tyzerp]

If you're just checking the bottle you shouldn't have to pull off the fairing, just check the lower mounting bolt. If you're still loosing coolant though i would absolutely pull the lower fairings off and try to track the leak to get it fixed

[MK2MR2]

everything is dry - so,... I have a magic bike apparently. haha