Triumphrat

tiger-rover · 07-12-2006

Hey all,

Having a bit of trouble with the temp gauge on my 05 orange tiger with about 5600 miles on it.

For the last couple of days, the gauge will move barely above the cold, not even to the "normal" tick. Then occassionally, the needle will show the correct temp then fall back down to cold.

This is disconcerting because yesterday morning it was running cold then all of a sudden the gauge spiked to just below the red mark and the fan kicked in and stayed there until I shut it off at the office and the fan stayed on for quite some time afterwards.

I am wondering if the temp sensor is going south. Also, does the fan come on and off with readings from the same sensor. If so then that is no good because the coolant could be overheating but the fan wouldn't come on and the gauge would be reading cold.

Maybe a loose wire? Where is the temp sensor?

Thanks guys,

Nathan

doitright · 07-12-2006

Hi!
The temperature sensor is located at the thermostat body and you can nearly see it underneath the fuel tank on your left side. As I was reading my service manual i found a note:

Temperature gauge reads cold- Cooling system air-locked resulting in temperature sensor reading in air instead of coolant.

Could be just as easy or difficult to get air out of your cooling system. You will have to remove the tank to get to the thermostat body and cap. While you are at it check all hose-clamps so they are tight.

The coolant sensor give signals to the fan, coolant gauge and to fuel injection all through the fuel injection computer (ECM) underneath the back seat. Let Triumph service check your computer for detected fault.

Do you still have warranty on it let Triumph handle your problem.

Good luck!

tiger-rover · 07-13-2006

Yes I still have about 9 months left on the warranty, but the nearest dealer is over 250 miles west of here in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I am going to pull the tank and check the coolant level in the rad and see how that looks.

Either way, I have to get to Albuquerque in a couple weeks anyway to have new rotors installed. Will discuss this with them.

Thanks,

Nathan

Diego · 07-13-2006

> I am going to pull the tank and check the coolant level in the rad and see how that looks.

By all means, but be aware it may not tell you anything about the possible air-lock condition. You can do a lot of damage to the engine in a couple of weeks if the coolant isn't flowing as it should!

It also wouldn't tell you if the thermostat has just plain gone bad...another, though less likely, possibility.

tiger-rover · 07-13-2006

Diego,

I am not planning to ride it until I can get it to the dealer unless I can see an obvious problem (ie low coolant).

I dont' understand what would have caused this to happen. The only problem I have had with the cooling system is over the winter a couple of rad hoses were dripping while in the garage (cold weather shrinkage). Pulled tank and tightened said hoses and topped up overflow tank (the overflow tank wasn't empty, just needed a little bit). Didn't have any problems with it until just last week once, then monday this week.

Thanks,

Nathan

Spacecom · 07-13-2006

Tiger-rover...

I believe there is a special procedure for bleeding the air out of the cooling system... If you'd like, I can find it in my shop manual and get it to you later this evening...

tiger-rover · 07-13-2006

That would be great if it isn't too much trouble for you.

Thanks,

Nathan

Spacecom · 07-13-2006

Will find the info and post later this evening...

Spacecom · 07-14-2006

Tiger-rover...

Sorry that I didn't get that too you last night... Got side tracked with work... Will get you something this evening..

Spacecom · 07-14-2006

Okay... Here is the jist of it...

You'll be removing the fuel tank to get to the pressure cap... This is located on the front-upper left side of the engine, just behind the Rad...

The bleeding procedure is sometimes needed because the thermostat, which is mounted in the same fitting as the pressure cap, can keep fluid from properly filling the cylinder housing with coolant...

So... to check if this has happened, You'll remove the bleed screw, which is mounted at the top of the elbow that both the Pressure cap and thermostat are mounted in.... If, there is coolant visible within this opening, then all you need to do is ensure the over flow is filled with the min/max marks... if there is no coolant visible then your system will need to be topped up...

Here are the procedures directly from the Manual...

Filling

1. Refit the coolant drain plug and tighten to 13Nm. (this plug is located center left side of the cylinder portion of the engine)

2. SLOWLY add coolant mixture to the system through the filler opening(place where the pressure cap has been removed), until the system is full. if the system has filled correctly and fully, there should be coolant visible through the bleed screw opening as well as in the filler opening.

3. If there is no coolant visible through the bleed screw opening, but the filler side appears to be full, attach a length of clear tubing to the bleed screw spigot and syphon coolant from the cylinder head etc. into the bleed screw side of the thermostat housing.

NOTE: A hand operated vacuum pump or similar should be used to syphon the coolant through the system. Ensure that the coolant that flows into the bleed screw side of the thermostat housing comes from within the cylinder head etc. and is not merely drawn through the thermostat from the filler opening side.

4. If necessary, top up the system through the filler and refit the pressure cap.

5. Refit the bleed screw and tighten to 7Nm.

6. Refit the coolant pressure Cap.

7. Temporarily refit the fuel tank.

8. Reconnect the Battery positive (red) lead first.

9. Start the motorcycle and allow the engine to idle for a short period of time to allow any air bubbles to be expelled from the system.

10. Stop the engine.

11. Disconnect the battery negative (Black) lead first.

12. Remove the fuel Tank.

13. Top up the coolant level as necessary.

14. Fit the coolant pressure cap.

15. Check the expansion tank level and top up if necessary.

16. Permanently refit the fuel tank as described in the fuel system section.

17. Reconnect the battery positive (red) lead first.

18. Refit the seats.

Well... I hope that gives you enough to work with...

Enjoy the Ride...