Wont stop overheating! Did I install cams wrong?

[adjwoolley]

04 XB12R with brand new 1250 kit
Finally got everything running after several setbacks.

Current problem = I can start the bike easily and it runs/idles pretty good! BUT, the temperature just keeps climbing to 220+ degrees Celsius and I have to kill the motor.

I've added fuel, replaced 02 sensor, swapped plugs, swapped ecm's, oil seems to be circulating (swing arm hot, oil cooler hot), brand new head temp. sensor,

The service manual shows this: Overheating
1. Insufficient oil supply or oil not circulating.
2. Clogged or damaged fins on oil cooler.
3. Cooling fan not operating properly.
4. Leaking valves.
5. Heavy carbon deposit.
6. Ignition timing retarded.

I checked static timing and the indicator was just out of the right side of the window when the fuel pump primed. When we adjusted it correctly to the center of the window the timing dial was clearly not lined up with the marker marks I placed when I removed the timing cover the first time.

This has me thinking that only #4 and #6 can be an option. I've since played with timing mechanically and in ecmspy and the bike still heats up to over 220 Celsius.

My only guess now is that I installed the cams wrong when I put the motor together. I thought the process was fool proof and you just need to line the marks up on the cams but I think I've ruled everything else out. Cam off one tooth causing leaking valves - causing overheating?

Any insight is appreciated. Just wanted to throw this up here before I have to take the cams out again!

 

[Negative]

........ I'm assuming since you're doing cam work on the bike that you're well aware this is an airhead motor and unless you're moving it will continue to heat up more and more ....... Correct? ... (I really hate how that sounded when I reread it ... but that's a genuine question ... don't take it in a bad way) ...

 

[walnuts]

On another note, unless you've tinkered with the fan settings in your EEPROM, the fan isn't set to turn on until about 225C-235C if I'm reading the manual correctly. Have you let it go to either of those before killing it to see if it comes on? As Negative said, these things run HOT but they're supposed to.

Are you sure your fuel mapping is correct? Running very lean could cause it to over heat too, right?

 

[adjwoolley]

I believe the bike is supposed to be between 160 - 180 celcius while it's just sitting there at idle. There is no way the bike is supposed to idle at way over 200.

After about 220 celcius the fan kicks on and then the bike runs rough (making itself run on 1 cylinder?) then it will die on its own.

 

[oh9bolt]

this is an airhead motor and unless you're moving it will continue to heat up more and more 

 

[adjwoolley]

So I will never be able to let my bike idle longer than 10 mins? From start to overheating takes around 10 mins... this cant be normal... especially with an oil cooler to assist.

 

[oh9bolt]

How does a oil cooler cool the oil? Air passing through it... sitting idle = no air passing through it.

Why do you need to let your bike idle for 10 mins without riding it? I think you bought the wrong bike. My .02

 

[neilrl79]

What would be the need to idle for more than 10 minutes? When you are riding does it stay at a reasonable temperature?

 

[walnuts]

Does it cool off after the fan kicks in or does it continue to climb then too?

 

[onelogue]

These guys are correct. My bike gets hotter and hotter when idling. Get the air moving through that oil cooler and see how it cools things down. You need air passing the cylinder fins too. I never let my bike idle more than a few minutes. You just foul plugs anyways. Take it for a ride and see if it still continues to get hot.

 

[adjwoolley]

I haven't ridden it yet. I don't want to take it out with the overheating issue. It didn't overheat before the rebuild and it shouldn't now.

After the fan comes on the motor drops idle a bit and chugs then a few seconds later the engine will shut down.

 

[oh9bolt]

So wait, you let your bike idle for over 10 mins at a time since you have owned it? I have a idea put on your gear wrap your legs around it and go for a ride that involves air passing your "AIR/OIL COOLED MOTOR" LOL

 

[walnuts]

I haven't ridden it yet. I don't want to take it out with the overheating issue. It didn't overheat before the rebuild and it shouldn't now.

After the fan comes on the motor drops idle a bit and chugs then a few seconds later the engine will shut down.

I could be wrong, obviously, but from this explanation it sounds like the extra power draw on the battery from the fan motor could be causing your ignition to not work properly (not enough wattage left to keep the spark plugs firing at full power). Have you charged your battery lately? Had it tested? Are you sure it is healthy? What does your voltage do at that point?

 

[Cosworth]

^^ this is a good idea

 

[neilrl79]

Having not ridden it yet, i'd say you are trying to diagnose a problem that you don't know actually exists. You say it didn't overheat idling for more than 10minutes before the 1250 kit, but you now have a bigger motor making more power and likely more heat. Take the bike for a ride and see how it goes under normal operating conditions. Letting the bike idle for over 10 minutes is NOT normal operating conditions.

 

[adjwoolley]

The battery is a few months old and fully charged.

I can try taking it for a ride and see how goes but If I can't start this bike up, smoke a cigarette, and get geared up without the bike overheating and shutting off in 5-10 mins then it's useless to me. I had a sporty before this with an 883- 1200 conversion and I could let it sit and run for a while and never had an overheating issue. I still think there is a different issue somewhere.

 

[303xb]

Jesus Christ what a frustrating thread. It's an air cooled motor that has a big bore kit. It's going to get hot if you don't ride it. Here's an idea...smoke your cigarette, start the bike, gear up, locate your testicles and ride the damn thing.

 

[Cosworth]

Engines also run warmer (much) during the breakin period...

 

[oh9bolt]

They also run warmer when they are tucked in a frame....

 

[Theycallmecrash]

but If I can't start this bike up, smoke a cigarette, and get geared up without the bike overheating and shutting off in 5-10 mins then it's useless to me.

Ill find a use for it. These bikes run hotter when breaking in, and letting it get so hot by not riding it within a few minutes of starting is really bad for the break in. Do you even know how to break in a motorcycle? I doubt it.