as it has been very cold around here lately the Tiger (955i) has been tucked up in my shed under a bike cover.
Every few day I start the Tiger up and let it run after I have squeezed water pipes shock bike to check levels, etc before start up, generally no problem
tonight when I shut it off I could hear water condensating on the exhaust, thought the bike had sweated but wrong, tasted the water to my horror I could taste antifreeze. expansion tank empty.
Any ideas guys, I an hoping a split pipe or a core plug has failed. the water seamed to be dripping just infront of the rear wheel.
I could not get underneath to see where the leak was, the bottom of the engine felt dry.
Dave :cry:
That don't sound good, odd thing is where the water is coming from. Nothing there to leak from.
Did you check the strength of the antifreeze this year?
yep, John, I had checked it recently and all the fluid levels. I will investigate over the weekend, I am hoping a pipe has split or a core plug has failed.
The bike is on the side stand so it could be a water trail looking like its coming from the back of the engine.
The overflow pipe from the expansion tank exits around the swinging arm on the RHS. Maybe the pressure cap has failed allowing too much coolant into the expansion tank.
Quote from: "iansoady"The overflow pipe from the expansion tank exits around the swinging arm on the RHS. Maybe the pressure cap has failed allowing too much coolant into the expansion tank.
thats the area its leaking from, :P
most forums I have posted it on have said something similar, thermostat or an air lock.
fingers crossed its a cheap and easy fix. oh well tank off, gives me an excuse to check the plugs too.
dave
Your fixation with sqeezing the pipes is an odd one :? ,which certainley isn't doing the job any good as your putting pressure on the system,for no reason.
I have been searching about this tiger loosing its coolant, it sound like its the rad cap failed.
spoke to my local dealership and they confirmed it sound like the problem. so I have ordered a new rad cap £15 inc p&p.
hopefully this will stop my tiger markings its territory
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y140/DaveBelton/bike%20stuff/tigerterritory.gif)
good news, I drained the cooling system on the tiger, looks like I only lost whats was in the expansion tank, traced the expansion hose to the right hand side of the bike just infront of the swing arm.
So I am happier at the moment, while the tank was off had a look at the plugs and airfilter, everything looks fine.
I am still waiting for the Rad cap to arrive I originally oreder the part 10th December 2010, they have promised that it would be in their shop on Wednesday, my bro went to the shop on Thursday as he was working in the area and the cap still has not arrived from the Triumph factory :mad: then they promised it will be with the dealer yestarday.
Nothing has arrived in today's mail.
just phoned them and its being dispatched from the dealer to me today. :rolleyes: hopefully in tomorrows mail.
I need to get back on to 2 wheels, using wifes car is cost a lot in diesel. :(
Rad cap did not arrive this morning :?, so I decided to remove the thermostat to check if it was stuck in the closed position.
I put the thermostat in cold water for about 5 or 6 minutes, while the kettle was boiling. then I put it in to a jug of boiling water and I could not see the thermostat changing.
do you think this could be the root problem with the thermostat stuck in closed position not allowing the flow of coolant to get to the rad and cooling fans.
What do you think?
I also checked the thermostat for emulsification plus the housing rad cap, dipstick, and no residue.
Thermostats are cheap enough - I'd change it.
Quote from: "daveb"....I put the thermostat in cold water for about 5 or 6 minutes, while the kettle was boiling. then I put it in to a jug of boiling water and I could not see the thermostat changing....
I think you answered your own question there... What Iansoady said :wink:
cheers guys, thanks for confirming what I thought.
I need to take the bike this week as wife needs the car, so I will run the bike without the defective thermostat, as I consider this to be the problem and not the rad cap. I have run cars without thermostats in the past, without problems.
The Tiger will be ok to run without a thermostat? just checking before I bugger it up.
I will order new thermostat tomorrow, hopefully it will be here quicker than the rad cap.
so I will be hoping it arrives early next week. The most mileage I will do next week will be 30 miles X 4 days work = 120 miles. at least the tank will not be full like this weekend. that tank is rather heavy with 24lt of fuel in it.
Cheers
Dave
Quote from: "daveb"I need to take the bike this week as wife needs the car, so I will run the bike without the defective thermostat, as I consider this to be the problem and not the rad cap. I have run cars without thermostats in the past, without problems.
The Tiger will be ok to run without a thermostat? just checking before I bugger it up.
I will order new thermostat tomorrow, hopefully it will be here quicker than the rad cap.
so I will be hoping it arrives early next week. The most mileage I will do next week will be 30 miles X 4 days work = 120 miles. at least the tank will not be full like this weekend. that tank is rather heavy with 24lt of fuel in it.
Cheers
Dave
Ive run plenty of cars over the years without stats, but a Tiger? Dunno, mine runs pretty cool anyway, without a stat it may have problems reaching a decent operating temp. Dont think youd do any long term damage as such, but it may run a tad rich .
going to order the thermostat tomorrow from Fowlers, lets see how long the part takes.
good news Fowlers in Bristol have the thermostat in stock, so I should receive it by Wednesday.
now a quick question about the thermostat. there is a plate attached to a spring with 2 tabs on it (silver / grey coloured), do there fit onto the ribs inside the housing, or doesn't matter, the ribs are only there for thermostat orientation and strength the rear housing.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y140/DaveBelton/bike%20stuff/Photo0196.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y140/DaveBelton/bike%20stuff/Photo0197.jpg)
Dave, I've not had mine apart so can only advise based on 'stats I've handled in the past. All of them had lugs, and in all cases the lugs located in notches in the housing. They seemed to be for orientation, although I never could see why it would matter.
It should only be a case of simply putting the new one in the way the old one came out. You did make a note or take a photo didn't you? :wink:
Quote from: "Bixxer Bob"Dave, I've not had mine apart so can only advise based on 'stats I've handled in the past. All of them had lugs, and in all cases the lugs located in notches in the housing. They seemed to be for orientation, although I never could see why it would matter.
It should only be a case of simply putting the new one in the way the old one came out. You did make a note or take a photo didn't you? :wink:
er.er.er. :oops: nope, as I removed the housing the thermostat fell out of position, hence the post :oops:
Have a look at the parts drawing here Dave, item 3, that should be enough to go on:
http://www.originaltriumphparts.info/tr ... _03=232917 (http://www.originaltriumphparts.info/triumph_motorcycle_parts_large_image_M50WOT.php?block_01=100&block_02=1000119&block_03=232917)
Cheers Bob, that drawing is ok but cant see the tags on item 3, will have a closer look tonight when I get home.
True, but you can see the spigot on the front end :wink:
Quote from: "Bixxer Bob"True, but you can see the spigot on the front end :wink:
Bob you make my laugh :ImaPoser , I knew which way faced the front of the bike, as in that part of the housing there is a brass bush which is insert moulded in to the central area.
its the tags / flange at the other end, I will just have to wing it.... :thumbsup
I will take photos when I open it up again for future reference for one and all :wink:
rad cap arrived in this mornings mail, :D post marked 19th january 2011. What TF, it was supposed to have been dispatched on Friday not Wednesday
I did struggle as I has water dripping out from the housing, stripped it down 3 or 4 or 5 times, turns out the o ring had fallen out and was sitting on the engine side of the housing. all sorted now. I have run the engine up to fan cut in temperature a couple of time, so steam and its has not taken the water from expansion bottle. so new thermostat and Rad Cap have cured my problems, the only problem is I got the Engine warning light on.
I am sure I read somewhere I can turn it off by doing something simple, so the search is on.
here are the ribs inside the housing
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y140/DaveBelton/bike%20stuff/IMG_2150.jpg)
back together
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y140/DaveBelton/bike%20stuff/IMG_2151.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y140/DaveBelton/bike%20stuff/IMG_2152.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y140/DaveBelton/bike%20stuff/IMG_2153.jpg)
Quote from: "daveb"the only problem is I got the Engine warning light on.
I am sure I read somewhere I can turn it off by doing something simple, so the search is on.
It's because you unplugged the battery and it'll go off after two or three rides.......assuming there's nothing major wrong.
Cheers Blacktiger, I owe you a coffee or something like that
See, I knew you'd figure it out :lol:
yep Bob, the tags on the thermostat sit on the ribs, so we all know how they fit for the future. :D
I posted on here and on the Rat site, so thanks everyone for help and support.
I was down the garage today to give me Tigger battery a boost and there was a pool of blue on the floor below the left side of the radiator :shock:
hope its just the cold !!
KK
Hopefully Kenny, someone on the RAT site is also experiencing a leak on his tiger too. He also is in Scotland, so it could be the weather.
http://www.triumphrat.net/tiger-worksho ... -leak.html (http://www.triumphrat.net/tiger-workshop/163213-another-coolant-leak.html)
I did the 3 x 12 minutes start up on idle - no throttle just let the bike run until the fan cuts in. leave it cool and do it again and again.
The mil light has now gone out. so I am Chuffed
Quote from: "daveb"I did the 3 x 12 minutes start up on idle - no throttle just let the bike run until the fan cuts in. leave it cool and do it again and again.
The mil light has now gone out. so I am Chuffed
Nice when something works as advertised, and also when the damn light goes out eh? :lol:
Now set yourself up with Tune ECU then you can do it in seconds at the press of a button :wink:
Well I was thinking of putting black electrical tape over the light or removing the bulb, hence no warning light = no problems,
just Jesting with you all. :D
Bob, Tune ECU, will need to be explained to me and how to to it, of find a link for me to read.
Quote from: "daveb"...Bob, Tune ECU, will need to be explained to me and how to to it, of find a link for me to read....
:BangHead
How about you read my
STICKY titled "
TuneECU Knowledge" for starters?? :wink:
Nah, too easy! :lol:
what are instruction, never bothered with them before.
Cheers John for the vote of confidence :D,
:oops: sorry Bob I didn't know about that page, wheres the link then - saves me looking for it. :P
I like this forum, humour and micky taking.
Quote from: "daveb"what are instruction, never bothered with them before.
Cheers John for the vote of confidence :D,
:oops: sorry Bob I didn't know about that page, wheres the link then - saves me looking for it. :P
I like this forum, humour and micky taking.
Hit the back button so your at the Girly start page, look to the top, See the list of Stickys, see the Sticky: Tune ECU Knowledge, that'll be it :roll:
Only jesting, sure ive done it meself in the past :lol:
Cheers TB2, I just seen the sticky linky dinky, I will have to read it and see the benefits and what equipment is required.
looks like a good write up there Bob,
Quote from: "daveb"Cheers TB2, I just seen the sticky linky dinky, I will have to read it and see the benefits and what equipment is required.
looks like a good write up there Bob,
If youve got a laptop, all you need to buy is a VW OBD cable, I got mine off ebay for about 6 quid IMSMR, be careful which one though the specs are within the Tune ECU how to's somewhere.
I say laptop, in theory you could use a PC as long as you can get it and a monitor near the bike.
went for a short spin today, the wife went pillion, 1st time pillion for about 10 years for her.
went for only 30 miles got back home expansion bottle overflowing with water again, it was about 18 deg c. so I think it could be a head gasket gone.
I ran the bike then on the drive up until the fan cut in, switched the bike off coolant again out of the expansion overflow. I heard a gurgling sound coming from the thermostat housing.
I replaced the rad cap and thermostat (triumph parts) any ideas, head gasket or something else.
Is it throwing lots of coolant out?
Somethimes they just need burping then they settle down. Air expands quicker that coolant so whenit gets hot she sheds some coolant. Do a search, there's lots of info on how to burp properly. Really hope that's all it is for you. :?
not much only between the top expansion mark and half way to the bottom mark,
so its just wind then :lol: a bit like its owner
Like all tiger servicing, it's never starighforward. To burp you have to take the tank off, then you have to re-connect the tank while on a side table to run the engine to do the burp.
well its coming up to the 10k-12k service, I will get it through the mot soon the mot station is only 3 miles away, then my nearest dealership is about 50-60 miles away for servicing.
going to check the coolant system and give it a burp.
checked the system out, no air in system, run bike until fans cut in, switched off no overflow.
slight emulsification on dip stick threads, could be down to condensation.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y140/DaveBelton/bike%20stuff/IMG_2215.jpg)
bike is in for 12000 mile service, asked them about tiger marking its area. turns out exhaust gas leaking into cooling system, - head gasket
Im afraid my head gasket bit the bullet today as well :cry: