Engine temperature? K6

[The Guru]

The temperature reading on my K6 has been acting strange recently.

Basically riding at a steady 70mph the temp starts at about 77 then rises to 89 and back down again.. pretty much at the same speed as you would count from 77 to 89 and back and continues like that for the duration of a journey.

So my questions.

Has anyone else had a similar problem and what what the cause?

Do you think its a faulty temp sensor?

Do you think its a faulty thermostat?

Other?? :confused:

Had a quick search but couldn't see anyone posting with similar symptoms.


Thanks :salut:

[PyroUK]

Seems like a reasonable temp range especially as it's starting to warm up a bit.

Full mid winter my L0 is usually 70 - 75 and if i open up when it's really cold sometimes down to 65.

Mid summer it can vary between 75 and 100 depending on speed. The quicker the lower. If I get caught in traffic I usually hit the fan speed at 104 until I get moving again.

I don't think there is necessarily any thing wrong with your temps on that basis but maybe you could dump the coolant and replace it to see of that makes a difference before putting lots of time and money in to parts.

[The Guru]

In the 6 years I've had the bike its never been erratic it would hold a steady temperature. I realise the temperature range is acceptable, but the way in which it bounces up and down that range is not.

[Red ones]

What's the fuel consumption like?
I can't remember off the top of my head whether the K6 has a temperature sender or a lambda sensor.

[PyroUK]

My bad! Mis read it half asleep!

[The Guru]

No lambda sensor. Fuel consumption has been fine, consistent, averaging mid to high 40's

[Red ones]

If the fuel consumption is fine then it probably isn't the temperature sensor at fault.
What does the oil cooler look like? Does it look like it needs a clear out of road crud?

[The Guru]

I think its fine, I'm at work now but I'll have wander out and check at lunch.

[jambo]

Bear in mind how the thermostat works. It is designed to allow quick warm up and prevent temperatures dropping too low. When cold the valve is closed restricting flow through the radiator, as the temperature comes up the valve opens allowing full flow to the radiator. At this point you usually get a flow of cold coolant back from the radiator. If the cooling effect is great enough to close the valve again then it'll close.

The thermostat opens and closes depending on a wax cylinder melting and solidifying so is not controlled by the bike but the environment in the cooling system.

When it's warmer the thermostat remains open, but in cooler weather that kind of fluctuation would be fairly normal.


Jambo

Sent without a real keyboard

[The Guru]

I'll see if it improves when the weather gets warmer. But to be fair, I've used the bike in colder years and its never behaved like this.

[DJ123]

I'll see if it improves when the weather gets warmer. But to be fair, I've used the bike in colder years and its never behaved like this.

when was the coolant last changed?

[The Guru]

About a year ago now.

[Sid Squid]

There's nothing wrong with it.