Another day, another problem (or question)

ARF07 · August 1st, 2009, 03:51 PM

Man, it seems like I've had too many of these lately. Ok so today was SUPPOSE to be a nice day, so I took my younger brother (17) down to a large empty parking lot near our house. He's always liked the bike so I thought I'd let him play around on it for a bit before I go back to school.

My bike was already hot because I'd been riding around for an hour or so. I showed him how to start it, explained the gears etc. so The bike was started and stopped several times, and stayed in first gear for maybe 40-45 min. I was going to turn it around for him, so I got on and started riding..I notice some light on near the gas gauge. I was like huh? so I stopped it and cut the engine, and as soon as I did I heard this sound that I can only describe as gurgling came from the engine. I've never heard anything like this, but it lasted for 7-10 seconds and I started leaking drops of oil.

I was freaking out, but it started raining despite the 0% chance via weather.com

When I started riding again and that light went off but it didn't exactly feel right. I took the fairing off when I got home, I didn't SEE anything noticeably wrong (ie no bullet holes or hanging parts

) and in the process burned my finger on the hot engine. Not my day.

Sorry that was so long, but I could really use some advice/ideas. The only thing I can think of was that it overheated, being ridden at low speeds. IDK. thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

PS. On a totally different note, any easy way to fix a bent shifter peg?(another long story) I tried pulling lol no luck

HKr1 · August 1st, 2009, 03:55 PM

Check engine light???

ARF07 · August 1st, 2009, 04:07 PM

umm that light on the right side that isn't the oil light? haha I just thought it was the same as on a car...I just went down and it looks like a temp. light. So maybe that? sorry, I'm still really new at this.

All fixed in the original post lol

Snake · August 1st, 2009, 04:07 PM

The two things that you have to check are the level of the anti-freeze and the oil level. Then take it for a short ride and let us know how the bike "feeels". Give specifics such as slugish as slugish, idles low, idles high, etc.

ARF07 · August 1st, 2009, 04:21 PM

Those were the first two things I checked. Both levels are good, even though I leaked some oil because i was at the top before...I cant go ride right now because it's still raining, but on the way home, like, it felt like I was a gear short. My RPM's to MPH were right, but it just felt like it didn't have the pull that it had before. BUT that could have just been my perception.
Just so I don't keep sounding retarded, is that light for overheating?

kkim · August 1st, 2009, 04:32 PM

look in your owner's manual (pg. 22)and see which one of those lights were on, then come back and let us know what it's indicating.

speaking of the owner's manual, have you ever read it?

ARF07 · August 1st, 2009, 05:01 PM

I don't have the hard copy owners manual, but I have the PDF service manual that you sent me. IDK if those things are the same, but it's page 59 of that. "Water Temperature Warning Indicator Light" It's warning me of high water temperature

(that works in school at least). Ok so to the best of my knowledge, the bike is cooled by that liquid cooling system of water and antifreeze. I think there is also a fan the pulls air towards the radiator(?), but I could be wrong about that.

So the water/bike was too hot or the cooling system wasn't working right, and it started leaking oil? I get the feeling I missed the step in between where something overheated and broke.

And no Kelly I haven't, I tried reading the PDF once, but I'm understood about 20% of it, so I quit after a while. Maybe I should try again

ARF07 · August 1st, 2009, 05:05 PM

(from the Manual)
Water Temperature Warning System Inspection:

The water temperature warning light goes on when the
ignition switch is turned on and goes off soon after the engine
starts running (oil pressure switch off) to ensure that
its circuit functions properly. The warning light also goes
on whenever the coolant temperature rises to 110 ∼ 120°C
(230 ∼ 248°F) when the motorcycles is in operation. If it
stays on, stop the engine and check the coolant level in the
reserve tank after the engine cools down.

That really didn't tell me much more than "your bike is too hot, check your levels" which I did.

AnarchoMoltov · August 1st, 2009, 05:19 PM

How hot out was it??? Did your fan turn on?? It might of just overheated..Let bike completely cool and check everything again, if all seems fine take it for a ride, see how it is....

noche_caliente · August 1st, 2009, 05:22 PM

Nathan, one thing you said that worried me was about your oil level...

Quote:

Both levels are good, even though I leaked some oil because i was at the top before...

At the top of the site glass? Could you see any air at all, or was it completely filled with oil?

ARF07 · August 1st, 2009, 05:25 PM

Thanks Dan,.. it was about 85 and humid. I'm positive (now lol) that it overheated. What I'm worried about is why overheating would make it drip oil..unless that's a normal byproduct of overheating. I really don't know. I've never had this happen before.

ARF07 · August 1st, 2009, 05:27 PM

Kim, it was near the top, but not overfilled (I'm pretty sure). I had a problem with my bike smoking, which turned out to be oil on my exhaust, and I rechecked my oil levels then and I could still see air at the top. IF I was running with too much oil, could it cause a problem like that?

noche_caliente · August 1st, 2009, 06:29 PM

I wish I could answer your question, but I really don't know... I know that it can get foamy if it's too full, and there was more to it that I read in a thread somewhere, but I don't remember what...

ARF07 · August 1st, 2009, 06:36 PM

Oh ok, well I really appreciate the help anyways Kim

hopefully it wasn't serious.

Snake · August 1st, 2009, 06:59 PM

Since your bike did overheat I recomend that you change the oil & filter. The reason is that although the oil is probably fine, when overheated it can suffer from thermal breakdown, it is sfer to go ahead and change it. Change the filter as well so you can get most of the old oil out and replace with new oil.

kkim · August 1st, 2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARF07

My bike was already hot because I'd been riding around for an hour or so. I showed him how to start it, explained the gears etc. so The bike was started and stopped several times, and stayed in first gear for maybe 40-45 min.

That type of riding can overheat the engine and when it does, the coolant will start to boil. Even if the fan kicks on, you are not going fast enough for air to flow through the radiator to properly cool off the coolant and the coolant starts to boil. When it boils, it flows out the overflow tube and exits from a tube right in front of the rear tire. it that where you saw your "oil" dripping from? if so, it was coolant and you should be okay.

coolant is green... what color was your dripping "oil"?

ARF07 · August 1st, 2009, 07:32 PM

That makes sense Kelly, thanks. I honestly didn't get a good look at it. My dad was there with me and stuck his finger in what was dripping as was like "That's definitely oil" so I didn't really think much about it being anything else. It was probably just coolant then. I didn't think the bike would overheat from that kind of riding. I'll be more careful next time.

Nickds7 · August 1st, 2009, 10:01 PM

Sometimes the factory coolant can be really dark green..appearing to be oil. I would definitely put my money on it being coolant.

August 1st, 2009, 03:51 PM	#1
ARF07 ninjette.org member Name: Nathan Location: West Georgia Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Yamaha R6 Posts: 145	Another day, another problem (or question) Man, it seems like I've had too many of these lately. Ok so today was SUPPOSE to be a nice day, so I took my younger brother (17) down to a large empty parking lot near our house. He's always liked the bike so I thought I'd let him play around on it for a bit before I go back to school. My bike was already hot because I'd been riding around for an hour or so. I showed him how to start it, explained the gears etc. so The bike was started and stopped several times, and stayed in first gear for maybe 40-45 min. I was going to turn it around for him, so I got on and started riding..I notice some light on near the gas gauge. I was like huh? so I stopped it and cut the engine, and as soon as I did I heard this sound that I can only describe as gurgling came from the engine. I've never heard anything like this, but it lasted for 7-10 seconds and I started leaking drops of oil. I was freaking out, but it started raining despite the 0% chance via weather.com When I started riding again and that light went off but it didn't exactly feel right. I took the fairing off when I got home, I didn't SEE anything noticeably wrong (ie no bullet holes or hanging parts) and in the process burned my finger on the hot engine. Not my day. Sorry that was so long, but I could really use some advice/ideas. The only thing I can think of was that it overheated, being ridden at low speeds. IDK. thanks in advance to anyone who can help. PS. On a totally different note, any easy way to fix a bent shifter peg?(another long story) I tried pulling lol no luck

August 1st, 2009, 06:29 PM	#13
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	I wish I could answer your question, but I really don't know... I know that it can get foamy if it's too full, and there was more to it that I read in a thread somewhere, but I don't remember what... __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

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August 1st, 2009, 03:55 PM	#2
HKr1 IC2(SW) Name: Kerry Location: Pensacola Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.	Check engine light???

August 1st, 2009, 04:07 PM	#3
ARF07 ninjette.org member Name: Nathan Location: West Georgia Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Yamaha R6 Posts: 145	umm that light on the right side that isn't the oil light? haha I just thought it was the same as on a car...I just went down and it looks like a temp. light. So maybe that? sorry, I'm still really new at this. All fixed in the original post lol

August 1st, 2009, 04:07 PM	#4
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	The two things that you have to check are the level of the anti-freeze and the oil level. Then take it for a short ride and let us know how the bike "feeels". Give specifics such as slugish as slugish, idles low, idles high, etc.

August 1st, 2009, 04:21 PM	#5
ARF07 ninjette.org member Name: Nathan Location: West Georgia Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Yamaha R6 Posts: 145	Those were the first two things I checked. Both levels are good, even though I leaked some oil because i was at the top before...I cant go ride right now because it's still raining, but on the way home, like, it felt like I was a gear short. My RPM's to MPH were right, but it just felt like it didn't have the pull that it had before. BUT that could have just been my perception. Just so I don't keep sounding retarded, is that light for overheating?

August 1st, 2009, 04:32 PM	#6
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	look in your owner's manual (pg. 22)and see which one of those lights were on, then come back and let us know what it's indicating. speaking of the owner's manual, have you ever read it?

August 1st, 2009, 05:01 PM	#7
ARF07 ninjette.org member Name: Nathan Location: West Georgia Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Yamaha R6 Posts: 145	I don't have the hard copy owners manual, but I have the PDF service manual that you sent me. IDK if those things are the same, but it's page 59 of that. "Water Temperature Warning Indicator Light" It's warning me of high water temperature (that works in school at least). Ok so to the best of my knowledge, the bike is cooled by that liquid cooling system of water and antifreeze. I think there is also a fan the pulls air towards the radiator(?), but I could be wrong about that. So the water/bike was too hot or the cooling system wasn't working right, and it started leaking oil? I get the feeling I missed the step in between where something overheated and broke. And no Kelly I haven't, I tried reading the PDF once, but I'm understood about 20% of it, so I quit after a while. Maybe I should try again

August 1st, 2009, 05:05 PM	#8
ARF07 ninjette.org member Name: Nathan Location: West Georgia Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Yamaha R6 Posts: 145	(from the Manual) Water Temperature Warning System Inspection: The water temperature warning light goes on when the ignition switch is turned on and goes off soon after the engine starts running (oil pressure switch off) to ensure that its circuit functions properly. The warning light also goes on whenever the coolant temperature rises to 110 ∼ 120°C (230 ∼ 248°F) when the motorcycles is in operation. If it stays on, stop the engine and check the coolant level in the reserve tank after the engine cools down. That really didn't tell me much more than "your bike is too hot, check your levels" which I did.

August 1st, 2009, 05:19 PM	#9
AnarchoMoltov ninjette.org guru Name: Dan Location: Chicago, il.... Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Suzuki GSX-R750 Posts: 378	How hot out was it??? Did your fan turn on?? It might of just overheated..Let bike completely cool and check everything again, if all seems fine take it for a ride, see how it is....

August 1st, 2009, 05:25 PM	#11
ARF07 ninjette.org member Name: Nathan Location: West Georgia Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Yamaha R6 Posts: 145	Thanks Dan,.. it was about 85 and humid. I'm positive (now lol) that it overheated. What I'm worried about is why overheating would make it drip oil..unless that's a normal byproduct of overheating. I really don't know. I've never had this happen before.

August 1st, 2009, 05:27 PM	#12
ARF07 ninjette.org member Name: Nathan Location: West Georgia Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Yamaha R6 Posts: 145	Kim, it was near the top, but not overfilled (I'm pretty sure). I had a problem with my bike smoking, which turned out to be oil on my exhaust, and I rechecked my oil levels then and I could still see air at the top. IF I was running with too much oil, could it cause a problem like that?

August 1st, 2009, 06:36 PM	#14
ARF07 ninjette.org member Name: Nathan Location: West Georgia Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Yamaha R6 Posts: 145	Oh ok, well I really appreciate the help anyways Kim hopefully it wasn't serious.

August 1st, 2009, 06:59 PM	#15
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Since your bike did overheat I recomend that you change the oil & filter. The reason is that although the oil is probably fine, when overheated it can suffer from thermal breakdown, it is sfer to go ahead and change it. Change the filter as well so you can get most of the old oil out and replace with new oil.

August 1st, 2009, 07:32 PM	#17
ARF07 ninjette.org member Name: Nathan Location: West Georgia Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Yamaha R6 Posts: 145	That makes sense Kelly, thanks. I honestly didn't get a good look at it. My dad was there with me and stuck his finger in what was dripping as was like "That's definitely oil" so I didn't really think much about it being anything else. It was probably just coolant then. I didn't think the bike would overheat from that kind of riding. I'll be more careful next time.

August 1st, 2009, 10:01 PM	#18
Nickds7 ninjette.org guru Name: Nick Location: Sacramento, California. Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 379	Sometimes the factory coolant can be really dark green..appearing to be oil. I would definitely put my money on it being coolant.