I just bought an 83 GL1100. 50 K and farly well maintained. However, it runs hot (on the gauge) but doesn't really feel that hot. The gauge reads just below the hot point. In cooler weather, it goes down just a bit, making me think the gauge works correctly. Anybody have a similar experience and a solve?
Running hot
- Thread starter Blixt001
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It's been my experience the engine can be overheating but not feel all that hot so I wouldn't go by that but the gauge could still be reading wrong.
Are you getting ANY air bubbles into the recovery or does the coolant smell exhausty burnt like?
That would indicate a leaking head gasket which will cause it to run hot.
I think the easiest way to get an idea where the engine temp is at is with a non contact thermometer.
They are dirt cheap at Harbor Freight, under $20 for the basic one.
Feeling the engine, hoses, radiator etc won't work because even running normal temp these things are too hot to touch.
Take a look at the spark plugs. Does one look cleaner than the others?
Do you get any white smoke/steam sweet smell on start up?
(Topic moved to GL1100 Shop Talk)
Are you getting ANY air bubbles into the recovery or does the coolant smell exhausty burnt like?
That would indicate a leaking head gasket which will cause it to run hot.
I think the easiest way to get an idea where the engine temp is at is with a non contact thermometer.
They are dirt cheap at Harbor Freight, under $20 for the basic one.
Feeling the engine, hoses, radiator etc won't work because even running normal temp these things are too hot to touch.
Take a look at the spark plugs. Does one look cleaner than the others?
Do you get any white smoke/steam sweet smell on start up?
(Topic moved to GL1100 Shop Talk)
slabghost
Well-known member
Could be the gauge, gauge power supply, Gauge sending unit, Something stuck in the fan. Or a broken wire to the fan. Or possibly an air bubble in the coolant system.
it also could be the voltage regulator for the gauges....the gauges run on 7 volts when that thing goes out it gets 12 volts to the gauges and over reads them .....if the gas gauge too will over read .....
start it up and let it idle with a house fan in front blowing on the radiator .....if it gets hot like this something wrong....it should run all day like that and not get hot
try something like that and post back .....stay with it and don't let it get to hot :mrgreen:
start it up and let it idle with a house fan in front blowing on the radiator .....if it gets hot like this something wrong....it should run all day like that and not get hot
try something like that and post back .....stay with it and don't let it get to hot :mrgreen:
danf
Well-known member
The way the gauge is doing it might be your thermostat not functioning proper.. I'm no expert but my car did that same thing and I changed it out and that was that..Is your fan kicking on because it shouldn't get that hot without it coming on, it comes on over halfway on the gauge and before 3/4, so did it kick on? If it didn't ,it's what the guy's are talking about I bet or the thermostat .
