Running very hot?????

[chalky4]

HI all
I know its hot out there but should my TA temp gauge really be reading just under the red after about 20 miles of steady riding about 60mph?
The fan kicks in and it drop the temp which soon builds up again, if sitting at lights or in heavy traffic temp gauge reads almost to top of red zone with the fan running.
Its not losing any water, water level just above the internal fins and overflow bottle between low and max. Flushed out rad during re-build and no severe damage to external rad fins.
Its almost as if it is running like an air cooled engine! Is there any way I can find out if the water pump is functioning correctly, any test i can do?

[btbloke]

checked the fan switching sensor? then check the thermostat

[AlanH]

water level just above the internal fins and overflow bottle between low and max

The water level should be up to the filler neck i.e. with no air in it. If there is air in there, it's a sign that either it can't pull coolant back from the reservoir when it cools due to a faulty cap, or it wasn't filled properly. If the cap is faulty it won't pressurise properly.

It is also quite possible that the water pump impeller has rusted away if it's an older bike. Was the water very rusty when you drained it and was there antifreeze in it?

[chalky4]

checked the fan switching sensor? then check the thermostat

Fan cutting in and out ok, although I don't know at what temp/needle reading it should be cutting in

The water level should be up to the filler neck i.e. with no air in it. If there is air in there, it's a sign that either it can't pull coolant back from the reservoir when it cools due to a faulty cap, or it wasn't filled properly. If the cap is faulty it won't pressurise properly.
It is also quite possible that the water pump impeller has rusted away if it's an older bike. Was the water very rusty when you drained it and was there antifreeze in it?

Coolant possibly a little low as its only just above internal core. Will top this up.

Its an 1988 and been stood for 3 years before I got my hands on it, yes there was a fair amount of rust when I drained it, I put some anti freeze in after restoration but I have no idea if there was any in before that.

Can I check the impellar just by taking water pump off and looking?

[StumpyFingers]

First I would fill the rad up to the top, let the engine idle with the cap off.
Once the gauge starts to register turn the engine off and let it settle top it back up if needed then replace the cap.
Now run the engine until it switches the fan on and check the gauge.
Too check the impeller you need to drain the coolant and remove the pump housing, the impeller is usually attached to this. You will need to replace the gaskets as they will fall apart when removed.

[sadpsych]

last few days my XL700 has been running about 10 degrees hot (85-88. usually 76/77) heating up really quickly when doing slower speeds or sitting at lights etc. out today and back to normal 76/77. putting it down to the hot weather. Rad was clean and fluids were ok.

[chalky4]

First I would fill the rad up to the top, let the engine idle with the cap off.
Once the gauge starts to register turn the engine off and let it settle top it back up if needed then replace the cap.
Now run the engine until it switches the fan on and check the gauge.
Too check the impeller you need to drain the coolant and remove the pump housing, the impeller is usually attached to this. You will need to replace the gaskets as they will fall apart when removed.

I've filled rad up to top and just ridden it from work to home, its not far so the gauge hardly shifted, will check it when it cools down a bit.
May have a look at the impeller on Tuesday when I have a day off.
Thanks to all for your replies

[Knobblywobbly]

Check your thermostat - take it out at stick it into a pan of boiling water to see if it´s opening (note: may be best to do this when your wife isn´t around - mine didn´t take kindly to me using her nice new saucepans!).

[chalky4]

Check your thermostat - take it out at stick it into a pan of boiling water to see if it´s opening (note: may be best to do this when your wife isn´t around - mine didn´t take kindly to me using her nice new saucepans!).

good point I think I could be wearing the pan as a new hat