Stupid thermostat question

[aerologic]

I hate to ask this question but I'm scratching my head here. Earlier this year I got a new thermostat and new temperature sensors (fan and gauge). At the time my bike warmed up nicely and the temp stayed pretty constant. If I didn't ride or if I blocked the radiator a bit (for testing purposes) it would heat up a bit more and the fan would come on and all was well. This was when it was still cool out. Then the bike sat for a while while I was getting it painted.

Now that is is warm out the bike does not seem to warm up. The gauge goes up (not real fast), not quite to the line that it went to before and then the temp drops almost fully to the left. Up and down while I'm riding. It's like the thermostat is bad. I did the hot water test on the stove and it opened right at 160 degrees like is stamped on it.

So here is the stupid question. I can't find a good picture. The thermostat "pointy end" sticks OUT when you put the thermostat on, right? The water flows from the pump straight to the radiator via the upper, what it is, 6 inch hose? I don't have the thermostat in backwards, do I? I don't think so. I'm just scratching my head on this one.

[ziggystardust]

You can fit the thermostat back to front but that would give you overheating problems, is the air hole at the top?

Ziggy

[aerologic]

Aug 31, 2009 4:38:17 GMT -5 ziggystardust said:

You can fit the thermostat back to front but that would give you overheating problems, is the air hole at the top?

Ziggy

Well heck. I can remember thinking about the hole but I don't remember if I put it "up" or "down". Does it make THAT big a difference???

[aerologic]

I checked, and trashed that gasket again of course. The hole on the thermostat was at the top.

I'll try to test the two temperature sensors.

[aerologic]

All is well with my cooling system. The connector to the temperature gauge thermostat was bad. I replaced that and the temp gauge seems well behaved now. The bike warms up and the temp stays constant, about a needle width below that mid mark. Also the fan was blocked from movement by the rubber seal around it coming off. Fortunately I don't think the bike ever warmed up enough to start the fan so as to not burn it out. It is working well now.

I still have a flat spot during medium to hard acceleration. I still have to get everything adjusted right.