Hi everyone. I have a big problem with the Street 750 2017. When the engine warms up (for example in traffic) the fan starts, the recovery tank fills with coolant and the bike spills refrigerant from the overflow hose under the bike. After a few trips at high temperature the tank is completely emptied. The Rome Harley workshop has already changed the radiator cap, the thermostat and the head gasket (!!) but the problem still persists. The coolant is the Harley original one. The radiator does not seem to have leaks. What can it ever be ?? They told me they had also done a pressure test and it's ok. Maybe is the cylinder cracked?
Coolant from overflow hose
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Have not heard of the XG having that problem before maybe get on the V-Rod forums and see if that water cooled engine has had any similar issues. I don’t know if the engines have similar design in their cooling systems, it’s worth a shot.........
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This issue is not rocket science and you should not face it as such, I am very surprised that the garage was unable to rectify it and feel if the bike was in front of me then I would be able to do so - there is very often a simple reason as to why it is happening - if you consider what the water does i.e. cooling of the bike engine then it is quite easy to narrow down where a problem could be.
Water is cooled in the radiator then travels round the engine gathering up heat whilst cooling the engine at the same time - returns to the radiator to be cooled and the process continues. The fan kicks in when the water is at such a temperature that the radiator and forward motion of the bike is not sufficient to cool it.
You have not said if this is something that has just started to happen or if it has been a problem for a while i.e. since you had the bike?
Things like this need a bit of detective and dismantling work and you need to rule out one potential issue before you start checking for another.
The thing to look for here is why the engine is overheating - I am presuming it is overheating as you say the fan operates.
Overheating of a motorcycle is usually a sign that the engine is not set up properly - I presume the garage removed the plugs and checked them? also your bikes ecm needs to be inspected to ensure it is set up properly. (not something you can do yourself unless you have a fuelpak or similar) I am presuming that the oil and oil delivery has been checked?
I am also presuming that the radiator is clean and the fins are not blocked with debris?
If all the above is checked out then the only other thing that can be causing this is a blockage somewhere in the water fluid delivery either to / around the engine or to / from the radiator. An air hose or a powerful jet of water supply can be used to check this.
A good mechanic who has the time to check out the above should be able to sort out the issue.
but
Like I say - this should not be a major problem and providing everything is set up as it should be and working as it should it should not occur but clearly one of the things I have suggested seems to be amiss - sorry I can't help more. ;(
Water is cooled in the radiator then travels round the engine gathering up heat whilst cooling the engine at the same time - returns to the radiator to be cooled and the process continues. The fan kicks in when the water is at such a temperature that the radiator and forward motion of the bike is not sufficient to cool it.
You have not said if this is something that has just started to happen or if it has been a problem for a while i.e. since you had the bike?
Things like this need a bit of detective and dismantling work and you need to rule out one potential issue before you start checking for another.
The thing to look for here is why the engine is overheating - I am presuming it is overheating as you say the fan operates.
Overheating of a motorcycle is usually a sign that the engine is not set up properly - I presume the garage removed the plugs and checked them? also your bikes ecm needs to be inspected to ensure it is set up properly. (not something you can do yourself unless you have a fuelpak or similar) I am presuming that the oil and oil delivery has been checked?
I am also presuming that the radiator is clean and the fins are not blocked with debris?
If all the above is checked out then the only other thing that can be causing this is a blockage somewhere in the water fluid delivery either to / around the engine or to / from the radiator. An air hose or a powerful jet of water supply can be used to check this.
A good mechanic who has the time to check out the above should be able to sort out the issue.
but
Like I say - this should not be a major problem and providing everything is set up as it should be and working as it should it should not occur but clearly one of the things I have suggested seems to be amiss - sorry I can't help more. ;(
the problem has already occurred 3 more times since I bought the bike. Previous times they changed radiator cap, thermostat and radiator hoses. The fan is free and clean, like the radiator. They did a pressure test and there are no leaks. The oil level is right and they tell me that it runs well (in fact there are no leaks). Perhaps the hoses clamps? Is it possible that the ECM is so bad setted? The overheating light never goes on
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Have never heard of the overheating light coming on - not sure what temperature would have to be achieved for it to light up. I suggested the ecm may need to be looked at because, other than friction (which I doubt is your cause because you say the engine is running correctly), the only thing that can make an engine run 'hotter' is a poorly adjusted fuel / air mixture.
What country are you in ? i.e. is the air temperature adding to your problem. If this is the case there are 'waterless coolants' available that offer better cooling properties.
Regarding the 'pressure test' I was not suggesting there were leaks as these would be evident - as you are aware coolant leaves an obvious mark where it is leaking from, I was more considering that there could be a blockage somewhere in one of the waterways in the engine etc.
What country are you in ? i.e. is the air temperature adding to your problem. If this is the case there are 'waterless coolants' available that offer better cooling properties.
Regarding the 'pressure test' I was not suggesting there were leaks as these would be evident - as you are aware coolant leaves an obvious mark where it is leaking from, I was more considering that there could be a blockage somewhere in one of the waterways in the engine etc.
Thanks! I hadn't thought of the ECM ... but they had to think about them, yet they never told me they had checked it! the clutch is all ok, I have no problem managing the gears. Is there any diagnostic test I can do without devices? the DIAG procedure on Odometer does not give errors...
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No, sometimes when people fit after market parts such as an high volume air filter this can affect the volume of air/fuel and this can drastically affect the running temperature of the engine - this is why I suggested that the ecm can be checked if only to rule that out as a potential problem. Think about it - the only things that cause heat are combustion or friction.
I doubt there is an error code that will advise you of this and the only way to ensure your engine is running properly is to have it mapped - as I say though, this requires specialist eqpt such as an FP3 or similar. Your spark plugs should be able to give some pointers as to how the engine is running.
see: Guide : Knowing the Condition of Vehicle Engine From Spark plug | motor modif contest | trend motorcycle wallpaper extreme modify
Unless you are really racing your bike in hot temperatures the radiator and fan should be able to keep the engine in a 'normal' operating temperature. If it doesn't then the things that I have suggested need to be checked in order that they can at least be eliminated and the cause found.
If all the things I have suggested check out (and I very much doubt they will) then you could try the waterless coolant that I suggested as this does improve the running temperature of water cooled vehicles.
see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterless_coolant
If you do get to the bottom of this issue, which by trial and elimination I sure you will, please notify the forum what the issue was just in case it rears it's head again.
I doubt there is an error code that will advise you of this and the only way to ensure your engine is running properly is to have it mapped - as I say though, this requires specialist eqpt such as an FP3 or similar. Your spark plugs should be able to give some pointers as to how the engine is running.
see: Guide : Knowing the Condition of Vehicle Engine From Spark plug | motor modif contest | trend motorcycle wallpaper extreme modify
Unless you are really racing your bike in hot temperatures the radiator and fan should be able to keep the engine in a 'normal' operating temperature. If it doesn't then the things that I have suggested need to be checked in order that they can at least be eliminated and the cause found.
If all the things I have suggested check out (and I very much doubt they will) then you could try the waterless coolant that I suggested as this does improve the running temperature of water cooled vehicles.
see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterless_coolant
If you do get to the bottom of this issue, which by trial and elimination I sure you will, please notify the forum what the issue was just in case it rears it's head again.
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My first Street had the water pump replaced in warranty . Ride it home after it starts leaking , turn it off & get under the bike to see where it is leaking . There is a small weep hole under the water pump on the left side of the bike .
from the reading, i would think the culprit lies with the water pump, refer to my car, fan does work, but its to cool the coolant, not the engine, so when engine is not cool, it will spike the temperature and up comes all the light related to the engine thinking engine was the culprit. Like Botty says, a simple plug and check ECM will determine once and for all if its related to engine issue.
yes, they did the compression test and there are no problems. The head gaskets were replaced as early as March, after the third time the bike was in the garage again for the same problem.
I made an appointment for Thursday. I'll talk to the boss again, explaining that in addition to the gaskets, the thermostat, the radiator cap and the hoses that have already changed, they must necessarily control plugs, waterpump and ECM.
I made an appointment for Thursday. I'll talk to the boss again, explaining that in addition to the gaskets, the thermostat, the radiator cap and the hoses that have already changed, they must necessarily control plugs, waterpump and ECM.
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298 Posts
I am at a loss as to your dealers way of handling this. - wke002 is quite correct.
When I posted my response to you perhaps I wrongly assumed that your dealer was interested in solving this problem for you and would have checked the obvious things before handing the bike back to you in the hope that it was rectified.
I would have thought that initially the following would have been checked as they are relatively easy for him to do and could be the cause of your problem:
Radiator cap.
Thermostat operation.
Water pump operation.
In another life I worked as a mechanic and although we did not find the reason for a problem immediately we would eventually get there using a bit of trial and error i.e. ruling out one thing before checking another. But we would not walk away from the problem until we sorted it.
I wrongly perhaps assumed that the dealer would have checked the operation of the water pump initially. You have suggested that he has changed the thermostat which would have been another thing to consider?
The water pump is a tricky as it involves a bit of dismantling but is not difficult if you take it apart slowly, check that the impeller blades are not damaged and that the rotor spins freely. There are video's on youtube that show you how you can check the operation of this, here is an example:
Again, a water pump is relatively easy but not cheap to replace - over £300
Again though, if the water pump and pressure test on the engine have been done, the radiator is not leaking and the caps have been replaced then the problem will likely lie with the running of the engine.
I am presuming your bike is still under guarantee? This being the case you really need to impress upon your dealer the importance of this issue and if he does not rectify it then contact HD customer service as once the bike is no longer under guarantee if this issue persists it can at best be a costly and time consuming one to resolve and at worst could totally ruin your engine.
Like I say I really am amazed that HD did not manage to fix this and perhaps it may be time (if you are paying for the repairs yourself) to allow a mechanic that knows what he is doing to take a look at it for you?
When I posted my response to you perhaps I wrongly assumed that your dealer was interested in solving this problem for you and would have checked the obvious things before handing the bike back to you in the hope that it was rectified.
I would have thought that initially the following would have been checked as they are relatively easy for him to do and could be the cause of your problem:
Radiator cap.
Thermostat operation.
Water pump operation.
In another life I worked as a mechanic and although we did not find the reason for a problem immediately we would eventually get there using a bit of trial and error i.e. ruling out one thing before checking another. But we would not walk away from the problem until we sorted it.
I wrongly perhaps assumed that the dealer would have checked the operation of the water pump initially. You have suggested that he has changed the thermostat which would have been another thing to consider?
The water pump is a tricky as it involves a bit of dismantling but is not difficult if you take it apart slowly, check that the impeller blades are not damaged and that the rotor spins freely. There are video's on youtube that show you how you can check the operation of this, here is an example:
Again though, if the water pump and pressure test on the engine have been done, the radiator is not leaking and the caps have been replaced then the problem will likely lie with the running of the engine.
I am presuming your bike is still under guarantee? This being the case you really need to impress upon your dealer the importance of this issue and if he does not rectify it then contact HD customer service as once the bike is no longer under guarantee if this issue persists it can at best be a costly and time consuming one to resolve and at worst could totally ruin your engine.
Like I say I really am amazed that HD did not manage to fix this and perhaps it may be time (if you are paying for the repairs yourself) to allow a mechanic that knows what he is doing to take a look at it for you?
Fortunately this is the third year since the purchase and I have the extended warranty, so I haven't paid (yet) anything.
The problem appeared in the summer of 2018. Then they replaced the radiator hoses, radiator cap and the thermostat which, according to them, was defective.
The same year, at the Gentleman's Ride in Rome in September, the overflow tank was completely emptied. They told me that it was the fault of an air bubble. They checked the water pump, did the pressure test and just filled the system with a coolant.
The third time was in December 2018, in the traffic of Rome. I left behind me an endless trail of coolant ... they blamed the head gasket and, after rectifying the head and changed gaskets returned the bike to me in March 2019 ........
I wrote to HD Italy several times, but they just solicited the garage....
Tomorrow I have an appointment at 16:00: in summary, what do I have to ask WITH INSISTENCE that they do, in your opinion?
The problem appeared in the summer of 2018. Then they replaced the radiator hoses, radiator cap and the thermostat which, according to them, was defective.
The same year, at the Gentleman's Ride in Rome in September, the overflow tank was completely emptied. They told me that it was the fault of an air bubble. They checked the water pump, did the pressure test and just filled the system with a coolant.
The third time was in December 2018, in the traffic of Rome. I left behind me an endless trail of coolant ... they blamed the head gasket and, after rectifying the head and changed gaskets returned the bike to me in March 2019 ........
I wrote to HD Italy several times, but they just solicited the garage....
Tomorrow I have an appointment at 16:00: in summary, what do I have to ask WITH INSISTENCE that they do, in your opinion?
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Well if it was me and I was unable to do it myself I would suggest that they take bike back and keep it as long as they need to in order to get it fixed as clearly you have a bike that is unreliable. Like I have said - this could actually damage your engine quite dramatically.
It is something that any reputable garage should be able to check and rectify.
The problem with most garages today is they have actually lost the plot when it comes to customer service / satisfaction. It is too easy for them to assume that a problem like this is caused by the failure of one component so they replace that component and hand the bike back hoping that they have solved the issue. They allot a specific time-frame to a problem and once that has been reached that is it!
As I said previously, sooner or later your warranty will expire and the cost of resolving this issue will be yours - I would imagine then that they would be happy to spend time on it.
Ask them or check yourself about the warranty with regard to who can carry out remedial work under the terms of it and advise them that if they are unable to effect a repair that you will take it somewhere that can and they will then be responsible for the cost. It's pointless having a warranty if when something goes wrong several times they are unable to fix it!
I most certainly would not be a happy bunny with them.
It is something that any reputable garage should be able to check and rectify.
The problem with most garages today is they have actually lost the plot when it comes to customer service / satisfaction. It is too easy for them to assume that a problem like this is caused by the failure of one component so they replace that component and hand the bike back hoping that they have solved the issue. They allot a specific time-frame to a problem and once that has been reached that is it!
As I said previously, sooner or later your warranty will expire and the cost of resolving this issue will be yours - I would imagine then that they would be happy to spend time on it.
Ask them or check yourself about the warranty with regard to who can carry out remedial work under the terms of it and advise them that if they are unable to effect a repair that you will take it somewhere that can and they will then be responsible for the cost. It's pointless having a warranty if when something goes wrong several times they are unable to fix it!
I most certainly would not be a happy bunny with them.
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Could be a whole load of things that need to be checked and eliminated before you move onto the next one. Easy to disconnect and run the engine to see what effect this has - the dealer should be checking all of these items.
I have never actually seen one show up but I think there are several error codes that would also show up in the event a sensor fails:
P0373 CKP Sensor Intermittent
P0107 Map Sensor Open/Low
P0108 Map Sensor High
P0374 CKP Sensor Synch
P1600 EFI Module Processor Internal
P1270 TGS Validation Error
P2107 EFI Module Processor Internal Fault
If the ecu is connected to a diagnostic then this should show up.
I have never actually seen one show up but I think there are several error codes that would also show up in the event a sensor fails:
P0373 CKP Sensor Intermittent
P0107 Map Sensor Open/Low
P0108 Map Sensor High
P0374 CKP Sensor Synch
P1600 EFI Module Processor Internal
P1270 TGS Validation Error
P2107 EFI Module Processor Internal Fault
If the ecu is connected to a diagnostic then this should show up.
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