I rode the MV in to work today and I just went back out there about an hour ago and noticed about a cup full of coolant on the ground. The temp on the way in to work on the freeway was about 175. I don't think it got very hot in other words. This is the first time I've seen this too. Has anyone else noticed this?

I also hear talk about the fan coming on at some certain temperature and cooling the bike back down. I don't think I've ever seen this. I wear ear plugs so maybe I'm just not hearing it.

-- Andy Ruhl (quadreverb@yahoo.com), May 09, 2002

Answers

Andy, Go check your coolant level after the bike is completely cooled down and see where it is. If the level is showing good now, then It could have been over filled? Hard to say, but a little bit of fluid on the ground can look like more than it really is. Also, next time you start it, let it idle and come up to temp and listen for the fans. Mine kick in at around 95 Deg Celsius. Hope this helps.

Todd

-- Todd Mazzola (tmazzola@doncasters.com), May 09, 2002.

Well, it did it again. When I got home, after about 2 minutes it promptly put out about a pint of fluid. This was on the sidestand. I did find out that the fluid was coming from the overflow pipe, which needs to be ever so slightly longer so it would leak onto the ground and not the fairing seam...

Anyway, when I shut the bike off it was at 200 and the fan was running. I suppose I probably should have left the key on and let the fan run a minute or two.

It was about 92 degrees here today in Tucson, which isn't a very hot day. The summertime may be a bummer if this thing is going to puke fluid every time...

Anyone have suggestions on fluid?

-- Andy Ruhl (quadreverb@yahoo.com), May 09, 2002.

This is the second time it's pee'd right? If the coolant tanks were overfilled, they should be at their normal levels by now.

May I suggest taking it to work tomorrow and just let it get hot. 205 to 212 is about normal for a 92 degree day on side streets and 190 to 200 on freeway. If it continues to leak, I think one more visit to Renaissance on Saturday, may be in order because that's not normal.

The only time either of my MVs have released coolant was immediately after I over filled it. Even running up to 223 degree, there was not a drop on the garage. (The other night, I reduced the amount of coolant and added a bit more distilled water to help keep it cooler.)

BTW, don't let this set back ruin your enjoyment of the MV. Once the bugs have been eliminated, the MV's pure riding pleasure! :)

-- Allan Gibbs (Agibbs996@aol.com), May 10, 2002.

After the bike cooled off last night, I added water. During this, I found another complaint about the bike.

The overflow tank is impossible to read if the water level is right where the frame rail is. Which is exactly where my water level was (near the bottom side). I found that a good way to see the level is to open the tank and shine a flashlight through the neck and down directly into the fluid. This makes it glow a little and you can see the level up against the air filter box.

I didn't fill it up to the max level this time. If I did, it would have taken a pint of fluid or so. I put it right between, so we'll see how that goes.

I have a certain coolant that I use in my R1. Don't remember the name, but I'm going to put it in the MV. I'll see if it changes the temp and report back.

Thanks for the discussion guys, it's nice to have 2nd opinions about this stuff. And I hope I don't make it sound like this stuff is getting me down. I had an awesome ride on Saturday. I was pacing some kids on 600's. I could see that their bikes were moving around a bit in corners, but the MV was rock solid for me which allowed me to carry more corner speed (a lot more in fact). Oh do I love this bike...

Andy

-- Andy Ruhl (quadreverb@yahoo.com), May 10, 2002.

"And I hope I don't make it sound like this stuff is getting me down."

Certainly not! As a matter of fact, you've show exceptional patience with everything that's happened (ie: the MV's battery exploding and the time you've been without your MV).

Hope all the bugs are now gone.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (Agibbs996@aol.com), May 10, 2002.

Here's the conclusion to the story. The dealer said that in this heat, you need to run the fluid level at or near the minimum setting to keep it from boiling over. So the correct plan here is to let it boil off and keep watching it to ensure your overflow tank doesn't go empty or too far below low. If that's still happening, time to find another plan.

I'm going to use some different coolant in an attempt to cool the bike down in the 100-110 degree days which are typical during this time of year in southern Arizona. Allan, I expect you'll see even hotter days. maybe your 2002 is slightly better in this respect? Has it boiled over yet?

-- Andy Ruhl (quadreverb@yahoo.com), May 17, 2002.

I haven't lost any coolant yet...at least that I know off. I did add some waterwetter a few weeks ago, and last week (after reading your post) I siphoned off more coolant and added more distilled water.

I did changed the oil about two weeks ago and instead of using the Agip, I used Mobil One Synth 15-50. Since then, I notice the bike seems to run a bit hotter.

This will be my second or third day using the bike in 100 degree temps and so far every thing seems okay, and the bike's running well. I did notice that twice, under semi-hard acceleration, I smelt coolant for a brief second. I'll check it when I get home today, and I'll see if I can get it to reach 220 again in traffic......I mean if it's going to run too hot, I'd rather know sooner than later.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (Agibbs996@aol.com), May 17, 2002.