My Transalp 700 is running hot, any ideas why?

[George]

Look see if you can see though the rad finning externally blocked rads are a common problem either though careless cleaning or just plain road dirt !

It is in a very good state. It was blocked externally at around 5%. Cleaned most of the dead flies and the lot.

It is definitely clogged up.

After leaving it with bleach in it, I can see what's wrong. Got a knife blade into one of the waterways and got out 3 things. The rubbery type brown stuff, a black rubber that was disintegrating and some sort of granules which are exactly like sugar granules (did not taste them).

Here is an attempt to capture the problem with my phone:



I have left the rad with rad flush overnight and will look at it this evening. Cleared the bleach with a lot of hot water... after the bleaching process, I could actually see the blockage. I had enough rad flush to fill the radiator without adding water. Hope it either cleans it, or ruins it since I need a good reason to buy a new one.

[DogRustyJunior]

another tip from my reliant driving days,drill a 4-5 mm hole in the flat rim of the thermostat,this stops an air lock forming between the two sides of the stat when its closed

[Diesel Dave]

Problem is George, the rads are alloy so whatever chemical you try to remove the crap internally will affect the metal long before the sealant that's been put inside.

I would start looking for second hand radiators.

[Bogger]

Hopefully you can sort it cheaply.

Bogger

[George]

Problem is George, the rads are alloy so whatever chemical you try to remove the crap internally will affect the metal long before the sealant that's been put inside.

I would start looking for second hand radiators.

Already accepting the idea of another radiator. I just have a problem with second hand ones... they are known to fail and mine did once already. That's why I have the problem that I have. This is what's happening with them:



This guy only had it leaking when riding and not when stationary. So the heat and pressure made it leak. That means I can only know when it's already on the bike and it's too late.

I think I can get it cheaper from Belgium. Have to determine how much cheaper and if it's bearable.

[Diesel Dave]

Air cooling does have its advantages....

[George]

Air cooling does have its advantages....

It has indeed... Enjoy life air cooled style:

[Diesel Dave]

How are you getting on with this George?

You have us all waiting impatiently...

[George]

How are you getting on with this George?

You have us all waiting impatiently...

Thank you for the interest Dave. I have done some more to it... left it with rad flush for 24h. Got the rad flush out and a lot of white deposits like limestone came out of it. Then I have attached the garden hose and left the rad with water flowing through it for a while... very hot water. And more white deposits came out:



Then it looked much better. Before removing the hose, I've hit the rad slightly with a plastic handle and more crap came out with the water that was flowing through the rad. Afterwards, I have left the rad with rad flush neutraliser for the whole weekend and this morning got the neutraliser out and it looks good. Re-ordered the o-rings since they forgot to order them in the first place even though I've paid for them, and they will be available for collection tomorrow.

I will bolt back the bike today, tomorrow will fit the water pump with new o-rings and fill the bike with coolant and oil and see how it goes on Wednesday. Thursday is the first day of holiday and I will be back on Thursday the next week. Hopefully I will determine if I need a new rad or not on Wednesday.

Fingers crossed. At least most of the whatever it was is out of the rad.

[Radagast]

Hi George, what kind of crap is in there? Is like tartar? If it is, then the kitchen vinegar dissolve it. The con is if the rad has a leak that tartar is blocking, then the vinegar will dissolve it too and rad starts to leak.