Running too hot?
 

Hi I have a XT660X 2008. When idling the coolant temperature goes up to 103 Celsius 217F). The fan never kicks in. Is 103C too hot? How is it on your bikes?

I find it very hard to understand why you're running so hot in Sweden!

My fan kicked in once in Spain in July, it was HOT. I'd never heard it before, really scared me!

Where are you getting this temperature reading from?

The fan should kick in by that temperature, you should check your fan by connecting it directly to a 12V supply... Just run two wires off the battery and jam them in the fan terminals. If it doesn't come on, then try attaching a 12V light across the fan circuit when the temp is high to discover the problem.

Either the fan, or the circuit sounds like it's an issue.

However, the problem really lies in why the coolant is reaching 103 degrees... For that, I don't know.

When mine is left idling it will get up to those sort of temperatures.

I fitted a coolant temperature gauge to mine to help keep an eye on things. I don't trust a warning light - even when they're working they generally come on after it's too late.

When I set it up I measured the gauge against ECU temperature readings and produced a table (which I will attach below). It shows that at idle mine peaks at 103C, fan cuts in at 102C and cuts out at 95C. I only ever see these sort of temperatures in the real world when stuck in heavy traffic on a hot day.

If yours is reaching 103 and you can't hear the fan cutting in then something isn't quite right. As WmcQ says, connect the fan direct to a 12V supply and see if it operates first. Also check the coolant level, concentration and whether the radiator cap (prone to leaking) is holding pressure. Even a slight pressure drop in the system will cause a significant increase in operating temperature. Air locks caused by low coolant levels can cause bad circulation and hot/cold spots.

Are you testing the coolant temperature in the DIAG mode in the dash?

Here's the attached table...

I recently found my fan was coming on way too often and once when I had it running while stationary the warning light came on. Turned out my coolant level was low, must of had an airlock somewhere as I had done thousands of miles before the problem surfaced. Topped it up and is good as gold now. Hope your solution is as simple.

Phil

What temperature gauge did you fit Pleiades...... (and how. ..? ) Steve

Thanks for all the answers! The coolant volume is ok. I've never ever heard the fan running..
Going to connect it with 12V tomorrow to see if it's even working. I got th he 103C from the bike in the diag mode. After letting the engine idle for about 12 minutes. I have an error code, number 22, air intake temperature sensor error. Maybe that has something to do with it?

Kind regards

Might be? If the ECU isn't receiving a signal from the AIT sensor, it will flag up error 22, but also fix the ECU air intake temperature at 20C. If the air temperature is significantly below this (which it probably is now in Sweden), then the fueling will be set lean as the air is much cooler and denser than the ECU is setting the fuelling for.

Has your bike got a Kev Mod or fuelling controller fitted to it? Have you blocked the AIS?

I have a Power commander 3, and the ais is not blocked. Its just about freezing in Sweden

Steve - I have one of these...

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTAwWDUwMA..._id=8800005007

With its sender connected in the top hose by using an 18mm one of these...

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....uL._SX355_.jpg