Keeping Cool

[mlkmn89]

1996 gl1500se most of you know what the temp gauge looks like on this bike. I use Honda coolant in my bike. Had it flushed and new coolant about a month ago. Today I went on a benefit ride and when we got where we were going it took a while to get parked because of so many bikes. While idling and barely moving my temp needle climbed to the extreme high side of normal but did not go into the red. Question is, Is this normal or do I have a cooling problem? Yes the fans are working, I can hear them running above the motor. The outside temperature was in the high 80's to low 90's.

[DenverWinger]

Mine got a couple needle-widths below the red on my '93 last summer when we got caught in Chicago rush hour on I-80 to I-94, we were traveling 2-up and pulling a fully loaded camper trailer, mid 90's temp.

We were moving a little, but it was stop-go surrounded by semi trucks. There wasn't any steam, so I figured it was Ok. I can see 3/4 scale regularly in the Denver commute on hot days. So I guess this is normal.

Since you recently flushed it, it might have burped some air from the cooling system and pulled coolant from the reservoir. That wouldn't affect anything unless the reservoir is empty and radiators still not quite full. Wouldn't hurt to check.

[MikeB]

Yes it does sound like you have a cooling problem. In those temperatures I would anticipate seeing the needle at the halfway point on the gauge.

With the three GL 1500s I have owned I've never seen a temperature gauge needle go over halfway in hot weather. The normal heat range is about 1/4 scale. In hot temperatures like Southern California or Las Vegas or Tucson or Phoenix in the summer I will normally see a half scale reading on the temperature gauge.

You do need to do some investigating in your cooling system.

[mlkmn89]

Yes it does sound like you have a cooling problem. In those temperatures I would anticipate seeing the needle at the halfway point on the gauge.

With the three GL 1500s I have owned I've never seen a temperature gauge needle go over halfway in hot weather. The normal heat range is about 1/4 scale. In hot temperatures like Southern California or Las Vegas or Tucson or Phoenix in the summer I will normally see a half scale reading on the temperature gauge.

You do need to do some investigating in your cooling system.

Any idea on where to begin?

[MikeB]

Step one would be to check the coolant level in the overflow and the radiators.

[donniebnd]

Something to think about, do you use full synthetic oil? I noticed after I switched to full synthetic on my 99 goldwing the temp guage runs a few degrees cooler. Last year while ridding threw Texas in 98° pulling a trailer when I was in stop n go traffic mine ran around the 3/4 guage with fans on where as before it would run closer to the red. As soon as I could run around 20 mph it would cool back down quickly.

[ianalvarado]

Hello
In regard to the hot temp gauge, if your fans are kicking in that means your temp sensor is doing its job. Did you hear any knocking in the engine, loss of power? smell of burnt oil etc. anything that would indicate that the engine was extremely hot? IF none of these apply then the first thing, I would do is change the temp sensor, think about all the years it's been in the bike. even though it is still functioning it may be giving you a bad reading. This happens a lot in the older model cars as well.
Changing the sensor is very easy to do. many videos available. check YOU tube.
good luck my friend
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[mlkmn89]

Hello
In regard to the hot temp gauge, if your fans are kicking in that means your temp sensor is doing its job. Did you hear any knocking in the engine, loss of power? smell of burnt oil etc. anything that would indicate that the engine was extremely hot? IF none of these apply then the first thing, I would do is change the temp sensor, think about all the years it's been in the bike. even though it is still functioning it may be giving you a bad reading. This happens a lot in the older model cars as well.
Changing the sensor is very easy to do. many videos available. check YOU tube.
good luck my friend

No I do not notice the bike having lost power or any knocks in it. The only burnt oil smell I had came from the shift shaft seal which I replaced and installed a shift shaft stabilizer. My next service I will change the temp sensor. Thank You for the info and Help