ST1100 - She's Giving Up Smoking Like A Cigar But Now She's Hot!

Uncle Phil said:
As Paul Harvey often said - THE REST OF THE STORY.
Since you have to pull all the body work off (upper & lower fairings, cowling, etc.) I decided I would replace all that was replaceable.

1. New radiator Cap
2. New temp sensor (though the one in there was not very old)
3. New upper and lower radiator hoses
4. Different radiator that I had thoroughly flushed with lots of water pressure and air pressure
5. Fresh dose of Evans Waterless Coolant to be sure previous batch was not contaminated
6. No need to replace the thermostat for the third time (the only replaceable thing not replaced in this maintenance cycle)

This time I reinstalled all the bodywork before I took her out for a test ride.
After 210+ miles of twisties, straights, city traffic, etc. with numerous heat up/cool down cycles, she seems to be back to normal.
What fixed it?
At this point it does not really matter to me - what matters it is fixed! :biggrin:
When I get a round tuit I'll flush the old radiator and take a look at the hoses I removed to see if I find anything.
I'd much rather be riding than wrenching! ;)
Click to expand...
Glad you got it sorted.
 
Uncle Phil said:
I am stumped on this one so here are the details -

1. The temp gauge started registering at 12 o'clock or more even (straight up) when running down the slab with plenty of air flow (normal is about 1/4 from the right).
2. Anti-freeze level was good, hose from overflow tank to radiator was brand new, engine only has 40,000 miles on it.
3. Changed the thermostat with a brand new Honda one and it appeared to fix the problem.
4. Various test rides and the problem was fixed and I was happy.
5. 750 miles later on the trip to OHSToc, the problem is back.

Details -
Evans waterless coolant at proper levels (open the radiator cap and the coolant is up in the neck, overflow bottle between the high/low lines).
Brand new Honda Thermostat and o-ring installed as noted above.
Engine has 40,000+ miles on it (water pump should be good).
Radiator appears to be clean and good (visually inspected).
No leaks that can be detected.
Brand new hose from overflow bottle to the radiator cap neck.
Thermostat 'fixed' the problem for about 750 miles.
Engine smells and feels 'hot' (no temp 'gun' handy to check actual temps).
The gauge appears to be working fine as it registers through the ranges.
Electrical grounds are cleaned.

I have a hard time believing a brand new thermostat went bad in 750 miles or that the water pump is toast with those few miles on the engine.

Ideas? Other tests to run?
Click to expand...
Phil have you check that the fan is working?
 
The end of the 'smoking' engine story -
I got an endoscope and peered down into the cylinders and didn't see anything unusual - except oil.
Somehow oil was getting into the combustion chamber and causing it to smoke.
I just finished stripping that engine of usable 'stuff' and it will be going to the 'graveyard' soon.
I did pull the transmission off this time thought I've never heard of an ST1100 transmission going south.
But I reckon if you put enough miles on one, anything could happen.
And that tranny won't eat much sitting in Uncle Phil's Parts Department! ;)
Better to have it and not need it as to need it and not have it ....
 
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