I live in Connecticut and it has been very hot lately. Back in June, I was riding and the temp was about 90 degrees F and my spyder overheated. This is first time this has happened. I noticed a leak, replaced the coolant reservoir and the leak stopped. 2nd time overheating was July 5th. By the time I got home and parked, all the coolant drained out onto a mat under the bike in the garage. This time I drained the coolant, flushed out the tank and refilled with coolant. Let the bike run without the cap for bit, checked the the temp and when the bike was warmed up, the coolant started to rise in the reservoir and was beginnning to bubble big time. How do I fix this problem? Thanks for the support and be blessed!
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Overheating 2011 Can Am Spyder RS - any ideas on fixes?
- Thread starter SpyderK
- Start date
Mikey
Well-known member
When you drain a system like you did you have to get all the air out of the system, sometimes that's not easy that maybe why you had all the bubbles. What's concerning is what's making you overheat! I would fill the tank to where it should be, and let it warm up till the fans kick on a couple times, then shut it off and cool down and recheck your level. Add if you need to and then maybe take it out for a ride around the block, see if it overheats. Check your weep hole on your water pump, see if it's wet, if so, you know what that means. It may be time to replace the thermostat, it may be sticking if it seems to heat up fast. One or the other would cause what you're saying! Good luck!!
BajaRon
Well-known member
I agree with Mikey. Getting all the air out of the system can be challenging. You need to run your Spyder through a few heat cycles, checking the coolant level in the reservoir after each cool down. It can also be a sticking or faulty thermostat. Worse case scenario would be that the bubbles are coming from a blown head gasket. You're not going to get rid of those without some engine work. Hopefully this is not your situation.
I understand that back in June, it was hot & your Spyder over-heated, but what actually happened? How long had you been riding for? Did the engine splutter to a stop or just shut down? Did you get any warnings on the dash?? What did the temp gauge do?? How much coolant had leaked out? What did you do after fixing the leak - top the coolant up & continue riding; or wait until it was all cool, then drain everything; back-flush; fix the leak; refill & purge the radiator; or what?? :dontknow:
And more recently, when you say "let the bike run without the cap for a bit" - what sort of 'bit' was that - a minute or two; or 15 minutes?? The coolant "beginning to rise" and those bubbles, can you describe all that a bit more?? :dontknow:
I ask all this, as 'all this' sort of info is very helpful in diagnosing the actual problem - as others have said, the fix could be as simple as purging the cooling system of all air pockets & topping up (altho I'm sorta doubting that!
), cos while our Spyders are meant to have a 'self-purging' cooling system, if the air pockets are big enough/deep enough in the system, they just won't self purge - not until it's too late! :shocked: Then there's the way the coolant level rises & bubbles; plus the size, type, & even the way those bubbles pop up - some of those can be a sign of needing a better purge; others can be a sure sign of a blown head gasket &/or cracked block... But we need to know all that to be able to narrow down the suggestions in a way that will really help... 
So, can you please fill in a bit more detail about how it all went down? :thumbup:
djh3
Member
Agree some more detail would be helpful. So I read the first couple lines and it sounds like out of no where it overheated. LOL 90 deg day aint nothing. So for me I would look at thermostat. With that being said, how long after you started bike did it overheat? I dont know exact temp for T-stat but most newer stuff runs 210-220 to where it opens. As for the leak was the reservoir actually cracked? On the overheat had you ridden for quite some time before noticing the overheat? Did the gauge indicate hot? Did it push all the coolant out? Have the cap tested at the local parts store.
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vondalyn
New member
Also check the radiator intakes. I had this issue a few years back and it turns out not enough air was getting into the intakes. The fix for me was replacement of the parts.
We assume the blockage/buildup was because I ride year round and these days there's a lot of chemicals on the roads around here in the winter. I ride less on treated roads now and also use "radiator cleaner" if I see any buildup of anything.
We assume the blockage/buildup was because I ride year round and these days there's a lot of chemicals on the roads around here in the winter. I ride less on treated roads now and also use "radiator cleaner" if I see any buildup of anything.
Thanks for responding! More detail - I was riding with my club in a parade June 22nd, 90+ degrees and humid, parade was about 2-3 miles long. Was parking when I saw Limp Mode message, cut the engine and all the coolant leaked on the ground. Waited a few hours, filled tank with water and rode home. The next day, a friend and I noticed a leak from coolant tank and hose connection, replaced the tank and there was no hose damage, added coolant and ran the engine without the cap on and once it reached 4 bars the coolant started to rise to the top and overflow. Cut the engine and let it sit a few days. Went for a ride on July 4th, 90+ degrees and humid once again. I rode for about 4 hours total. On the way home, I notice the engine was really hot because I could feel the heat on my knees through the jeans I was wearing. By the time I reached home, the coolant spilled out again. It took awhile for the engine to cool, I let it sit for a few days. Flushed and refilled coolant, let it run again until it reached 4 bars and the coolant began to bubble up and rise to almost overflowing. I cut the engine and let it sit for an hour before restarting and pulling the bike back into the garage where it's been sitting since July 13th. I hope that's enough detail and thanks again for any insight you can give on how to fix this. I am mechanically inclined but I don't have the service manual. Blessed day to all!
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