Traffic idle coolant temp?

[kevin_stevens]

It seems to me that my bike used to top out at about 217-218 when idling in traffic, at that point the fans kicked in and seemed to keep it from going higher pretty well. About 2000 miles/3 months ago, the bike has started running up to 230 when idling in traffic, at which point the idle gets really lumpy, although it doesn't usually go higher.

This could have happened at the time I changed stock coolant for Water Wetter/distilled for a track day, or it could have been when I took the bike in for the 6k service (both happened close together). I've never had WW make a bike run *hotter* before, and I'm wondering if maybe the ECU flash I got during the service has set the fan temps higher. Both fans appear to me to be coming on.

What are other people seeing? I'm less concerned that the number is "too high" than that it seems to have changed.

KeS

[Wild Pete]

Only time I've seen temps that high was when my bike was rolled off the dyno. It was around 234 when I saw the display. Stuck in traffic I get the normal reading around 214 or so.

[S1000RR ROB]

distilled water is ok but it doesn't cool like coolant id get the coolant back in it its 10 times better for the lump, as-well distilled still does go manky after a while i wouldn't run the bike on it all the time...........my opinion

[Used2be]

Originally Posted by kevin_stevens

Both fans appear to me to be coming on.
What are other people seeing? I'm less concerned that the number is "too high" than that it seems to have changed.
KeS

I had some cooling problems with a K series bike when I mixed some very old water wetter and distilled for it. I wonder if the old WW can make the water less heat conductive? One thing I've never seen is the second radiator fan for the S1000RR...... do you have two?

[S1000RR ROB]

is there supposed to be 2 fans ..............

[viperclaw]

Only one fan. It should still come on at about 214 degrees F. The bike may get hotter than that but the fan should come on at that temp. Not sure exactly what temp the warning light would come on but I would guess that it would be about 250.

I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you are getting close to 240 in traffic. You may need to bleed the system or it may need to be topped off. If the radiator is not full it won't siphon off to the overflow container and there may be air in the system somewhere causing inefficiency. You can check it when it is cool. Just pull the cap off--you have to push it down and turn--if it is up to the neck you are OK if not top it up--not the very top just the lower part of the neck.

[markjenn]

Despite marketing claims, I don't think pure-water/WW cools as well as good AF and it certainly isn't as good for corrosion issues. But I doubt this is the cause of your higher-temp problem - I vote for the air-pocket hypothesis, introduced when you changed the coolant.

- Mark

[kevin_stevens]

Ok. I did the change per the manual and bled it at the pump, and then retopped a couple of days later, but I'll give it another shot. The thing that made it seem as though it was a fan reprogram is that it does seem to *stop* at 230 still, not just keep going up.

Yes there's only one fan, I was peeking at it from different angles and thought I was seeing two different ones - sorry!

So consensus is that "normal" getting-hot-sitting-in-traffic temp is about 215-218 then?

KeS

[1000RR]

That sounds about normal Kevin... I might increase the upper end a little, but I've never seen 230 on any bike. My '08 CBR might see 226-ish once in a while. My S1 has only seen 220 +/-2 at most.

[MCBMW]

There is only one fan - - on rider's left side - hence the hot left knee while riding. The fan is programmed to come on at 214 degF. The dash idiot light is programmed to illuminate at 244 degF so I assume anything below that is OK.