Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Suzuki Tech
Suzuki Tech Suzuki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Suzuki riders only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Jan 2004
Poa Poa is offline
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tanzania
Posts: 34
Overheating,,, HELP (please)

I've been on an '86 DR 650 out here in Tanzania for the past year and all was great until recently. The engine feels much hotter then usual which I assume led to a long list of problem...

I flushed the entire oil cooling system, put new oil, filters, even replaced a slipping clutch, put on new gaskets, put in a new batterie, had the piston rings checked (no problem)...

The starter has some issues that were fixed but now the symtoms. Tough starts in the morning (not too cold here but humid right now). Then if I run it for about 10 minutes hard and shut it down, starting it is very tough if possible at all. It turns over well enough but gives a cough, not a backfire but a hallow cough.

My guess, that something is causing the ingine to overheat, this is messing with the starter.... oh which leads me to another problem, the overflow on the carburator leaks when the bike heats up so I have to shut the gas tank off too. Oh boy, are we having fun yet?

I'm sold that it is an overheating problem but have heard ideas like checking the rich/lean setting (not so clear on how to get that right though).

Any ideas? (Drive it off a very tall brigde)

Thanks for your ideas, i'll definitely consider them all....

Poa
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12 Jan 2004
Steve Pickford's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
What cooling system have you flushed - DR650's are air cooled?

My DR600 is sometimes hard to start when warm, not hot. Solved this by opening the throttle wide several times prior to kickstarting. 600's have a slide carb with pumper, I think 650's have a CV carb, so may not work?

Also check that the valve clearances are correct, quite easy on DR's. When checking them, it'a good idea & opportunity to check & adjust the decompressor cables at the same time (at TDC after the inlet has closed, approx. 1mm of freeplay in the cable(s).

I doubt that overheating would affect the electric start. Is the battery in good condition? If the decomp cables are badly adjusted, the valve may not open, making it harder for the starter to turn the engine?

Are the plugs clean & gapped correctly - my DR600 was sensitive to this & ran .7 to .8mm gaps, not the usual .6 to .7mm gaps.


Steve
__________________
My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Jan 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Bathurst, NSW, Australia
Posts: 8
Quote:
<font face="" size="2">What cooling system have you flushed - DR650's are air cooled?</font>
Air cooled yes, but they have an oil cooler, which needs occasional flushing.

------------------
Rob Oakley
99 DR650SE
Bathurst, NSW
Australia
__________________
Rob
99 DR650SE
Bathurst, NSW
Australia
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Jan 2004
Poa Poa is offline
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tanzania
Posts: 34
I flushed out the air cooler and made sure nothing was blocking the intake/outtake of the oil. My reason... I had a mechanic fix up a small leaking gasket when I was at work and it turned out he used about 1/2 a tube of silicon gasket maker. (slight exageration) but the junk got loose in the engine in small quantities so I opened it up and cleaned everything worried the little silicon flakes were blocking the small veins in the air cooler.

That said. I just finished looking over the basics, plugs, oil filter etc. The plugs had a good (bad!) layer of carbon which tells me that I'm running too rich, correct??? Would this cause the heat? I've had to fix a crack in the intake manifold twice so maybe it is demanding more air with the gas.

Keep the advice coming... I have time on my hands and will look into all the ideas ya'll have. Thanks.

Poa
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Jan 2004
Steve Pickford's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
It's the colour of the carbon build up thats important, not the quantity, which just shows that they need cleaning.

You should be aiming for a light chocolate brown colour. Much darker & you're either running rich or burning oil. Much lighter & you're either running weak or the ignition timing is out. I doubt if the timing has changed as it's generally fixed.

If you had lumps of gasket in the oil cooler pipes, one concern I'd have is that the cooled oil is fed in to the engine case, through the filter & them pumped straight through the right hand side of the crank to the big end. One or two small lumps may not matter but I know of at least one engine that needed a con-rod kit (2 stroke) because of gasket blocking the big end & causing a lack of lubrication.

Steve

Steve
__________________
My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23 Jan 2004
Nigel Marx's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 798
Ummm.. have I missed something but has anyone mentioned the air filter? I know it's a basic thing and it may have already been checked, but if the sir filter is clogged it can cause all of the above, other than the carb leaks. If you have been riding in extremely fine dust, even a blow out with a compressor can't blow out all the crap.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

--"How can I be lost if I don't care where I am?"--
__________________
The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:56.