Running too hot? Gauge read 298F on a fall day!

[Lizard_King]

Hi all, I did spend quite a bit of time perusing the whole tech section, the FAQs and even Maximum Suzuki forums. What I am looking for is some advice to what I can do about heat, if it is even a problem.

Let's start with the basics: 2002 B12 with a Yosh pipe purchased in May. 15K miles. I worried about the heat pouring off of the engine so I installed a Daytona Digital oil temp gauge with the sender in the oil pressure port on the left forward of the oil pan. I've noticed temps of 230F and up to 260F in the late summer, but wasn't worried as I was in traffic. Last Thursday, I changed the oil (10w-40 dino) and on Friday (10/18) I headed out to NYC. I got stuck in traffic for about an hour and saw the gauge read up to 298F in 60F ambient temp before taking the shoulder on I-278. It took a bit to cool down (the Verrazano bridge helped) but I've been worried about it ever since. Why does this happen?

In watching the gauge, I noticed that it never stabilized at idle, it would always climb. Driving from stop would add a ton of heat. Only full driving for multiple minutes would take some digits off of the gauge. I was definitely spending too much time with eyes on the little LCD. I have not discounted that the gauge may be wrong, or measuring from a bad spot.

I am planning on doing a HEL oil cooler upgrade using an Earl's core and homemade brackets, and have been thinking about the HEL 4 hose cam oiler just to help cool down the top of the engine more (not even sure if this is valid logic). Also thinking Mobil 1 15W-50 is next for oil change.

I have read some stuff about using an aftermarket pipe without jetting causing the engine to run hot/lean, and I do have a Yosh pipe installed. I was toying with the idea of a Holeshot jet kit, but honestly, I'm not looking for more power. I do not use the power I have. Honestly, I would rather get a stock pipe if this could be a cause of the problem.

I know these motors are workhorses...am I being too concerned about the numbers? Will the HEL cooler matter? Is the aftermarket pipe without jetting something to ponder? Thanks for your thoughts.

Honestly, the bike runs great, but I worry about the summer months and traffic. Maybe just plan my routes and arrival times better ;-) Thanks for any advice.

[txbanditrydr]

Yeah... I'd say that was pretty darn hot.  Firstly, you are correct - the aftermarket pipe on a stock engine result in a leaner condition and hotter engine.  This will usually manifest itself in the form of blue headers (gold is okay).  You didn't say what color they were so let's assume they are NOT blue...

I would suspect the gauge is bad or a wire has shorted on something.  I'd start with a new gauge before tearing into stuff and adding more cooling items.  I have a temp gauge (oil fill plug version) and it does take a while for the oil to cool down once it gets hot - the red zone on mine is 120 C which equals about 248 F... well below your 298 F reported.  Even sitting still in traffic on a hot Texas day I never saw temperatures much above 120 C (all stock bike at the time).  With a pipe and jet kit it runs a lot cooler than before.

[Lizard_King]

The gauge isn't shorted, but I do have my eye on the same oil filler gauge as you are using. The upper end of your red zone is where I was at for a while. Also looking at a Yosh gauge, just to compare. The gauge I am using just uses power for charging the internal battery and for backlight - unplugging the 12V shows the same results. I checked the sender wire and it is intact and not shorted. The gauge never reads the same temp for more than 30 seconds, always climbing and dropping. I question the accuracy of the gauge, hope to "win" the moto-detail gauge on eBay and compare results.

Pipes are gold, no blue. Jet kit sounds imminent.

[Red01]

I don't think going to 15w50 is going to help in the cooler weather, but a jet kit (or reverting to the stock pipe) will help.

Keep in mind these bikes are cooled primarily by air.  Even the oil relies on air to keep it's temp down, so getting stuck in stopped or very slow traffic is going to relate to high temps, regardless of ambient temp.  The difference between a 60*F day and a 100*F day in stop-and-go traffic is going to be minimal.

I'm pretty sure if you had turned the OE double walled header blue, you'd have some REAL problems! 

[Lizard_King]

Yeah, I'm planning on 15W-50 in the summer, but at the temps im reading (if those are correct), I might be fine with it in winter too. Sounds like that isn't the solution though.

I'm going to try to find a stock pipe, I need one with this new enforcement happening in Philadelphia anyway. Seems like I should just pop a Holeshot jet kit in, I'm just a wee bit leery as I had major issues with my last bike getting it to run right after screwing around with a jet kit, and this bike is running sound. I guess I should not fret so much, as with the support Dale gives with his product it's a no-brainer.

Thanks for the help guys - it's good to get some reinforcement that I am looking in the right direction.

[PitterB4]

Just out of curiosity, what's the "new enforcement" in Philly?  I have been known to venture up that way, although it's been a while.

(oh and :wtf is with the World Series.  I'm a huge Phillies fan and WEDNESDAY NIGHT?????  I'm gonna be on a freaking plane for 4 hours Wednesday night!!!!!!!!!)

[Lizard_King]

Oh the same stuff that pops up every few years. Philly's on a kick lately about aftermarket mufflers, and not educating the cops. Basically, the laws lets you have an aftermarket pipe with a baffle, but the cops know no difference. $1,500 fine and/or vehicle seizure. Serious stuff. I have a Yosh RS-3 Stainless, but plan on getting a stock exhaust considering my engine heat problem. I'll work on a jet kit in the Spring

As for the Phils...weird series, huh? Looks light tommorow we have the last third of game 5. I am riding the Bandit back from work through the Cottman/Frankford intersection at about 9PM, which is where the NE was partying when they won the pennant. The shortened game may be over at 9, or there may be partying early - either way, I gotta take a detour.