new heat problem 2014 RTS

[Princeau99]

Last Saturday I went for a ride and over heated in traffic wait for signal light. it happened 3 times. the outdoor temp was about 70. the fans came on and after about 1 min. temp shot up to top of gauge. As soon as I started moving it dropped right back. checked the water reservoir, which was low. topped it off and it still happened. The fans are blowing properly, there doesn't seem to be anything blocking radiator. looked again yesterday. no loss of reservoir level. started and let idle on driveway. was OK for about 10 min, then shot up quickly.
this is new. last year I was in 100 degree weather, heavy traffic, and no heat problems. not sure what to look at, any ideas?

[Bob Denman]

This is a new one... how often do they suggest changing the coolant?
Other than that: I got nuthin'.

[quasi]

sounds like a stuck t-stat to me. providing these bikes have t-stats.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

OMG-..Mike ....................MAYBE YOU READ WHAT I POSTED MAYBE NOT, BUT NOW IT'S GONE.................and I won't bother answering any more of your questions.

[graysan]

Last Saturday I went for a ride and over heated in traffic wait for signal light. it happened 3 times. the outdoor temp was about 70. the fans came on and after about 1 min. temp shot up to top of gauge. As soon as I started moving it dropped right back. checked the water reservoir, which was low. topped it off and it still happened. The fans are blowing properly, there doesn't seem to be anything blocking radiator. looked again yesterday. no loss of reservoir level. started and let idle on driveway. was OK for about 10 min, then shot up quickly.
this is new. last year I was in 100 degree weather, heavy traffic, and no heat problems. not sure what to look at, any ideas?

Same thing happened to me. The dealer found the problem and power washed both radiators--they were filled with bugs--it was hard to see. Problem solved.

[lou49]

Same thing happened to me. The dealer found the problem and power washed both radiators--they were filled with bugs--it was hard to see. Problem solved.

Time to debug! Be careful with the power washer! I would try it first with a garden hose, from the inside out! Hope you can solve the problem soon! (Ps) if you are under warranty, let the dealer take care of it!

[Princeau99]

This is a new one... how often do they suggest changing the coolant?
Other than that: I got nuthin'.

i need to check on this. had the 3000 mile service about 1 month ago. not sure if the coolant was changed.

[Princeau99]

Same thing happened to me. The dealer found the problem and power washed both radiators--they were filled with bugs--it was hard to see. Problem solved.

hope this is the problem. otherwise this has been problem free.

[ARtraveler]

The radiators do suck bugs big time. When I had my dog incident, the whole front had to come off. The radiators were both covered with bugs.

I quickly installed KOTT radiator grills--which have helped some.

That is the first place I would look.

[IGETAROUND]

Antifreeze replaces every two years

[JayBros]

I agree with the others who cautioned power washing. That's a quickie way for a dealer possibly at the expense of the radiators or other parts. I also agree with akspyderman's recommendation on the KOTT Grilles, my second farkle after bump skid, from SpyderPops. 13,500 on my Spyder and one bug has made it past the grilles and that includes the buggy trip to and from Spyderfest last year.

[DrewNJ]

I'm not buying the bug theory...I just don't see bugs being able to block airflow to 2 radiators allowing overheat at idle in the 70 degree weather with the fan running. That would be an alarming amount of bugs....not likely. A plastic bag, maybe...

I'd be more inclined to believe a thermostat that stuck closed at idle and then opened up once the rpms came up, and the coolant flow increased once underway helping it open fully.

Also, be super careful installing screens and junk in front of the radiators as they DO limit airflow too.

Sent from my Venue 8 3830 using Tapatalk

[lou49]

The radiators do suck bugs big time. When I had my dog incident, the whole front had to come off. The radiators were both covered with bugs.

I quickly installed KOTT radiator grills--which have helped some.

That is the first place I would look.

Isn't that what spiders do best? Catch bugs?

[Stranger1759]

Heading west thru Kansas into Colorado in September of 2015, bugs were bad. I'm sure there are some out there worse than mine.

[larryd]

Get the temperature checked with a infrared thermometer first to make sure its actually hot and not a gauge problem...Then go from there...larryd