Just done something monumentally stupid

[Fuzzygoth]

Well I turned the engine over and got called away with the engine idling and came
back a bit later to find boiling coolant pissing everywhere the engine was still running
what's the change I've done any serious damage to the bike? I'd been planning on
riding it back to Aberdeen from Glasgow tonight, but I am not sure if its a good idea
or if I should take the other bike which isn't in great shape either ... it's been one of
those days.

Fuzzy

[UG]

well if you have breakdown cover go for it.
 

[Fuzzygoth]

Fortunately I am at home and not tried starting it up again yet. Need to refill
the coolant resivoir. But the engine was still running when I hit the kill switch
so guess I'll fill it and see if it starts.

Nah, the bike just went back on the road yesterday.

Fuzzy

[Phil TK]

 I think there's only one way to find out if it's ok -ride it.
The fact that the engine was still running is a good sign, I would just top up the coolant, check the oil level and go for it.

[Fuzzygoth]

Phil TK: Yeah, I'd guessed as much just finished filling it up the coolant and its ticking
over fine. Just had a bit of panic and coming back to find my bike pissing fluid everywhere.
But filled the resivour and turned it over and it seems okay. Better make sure the Breakdown
cover is all up to date in case I need it

Cheers
Fuzzy

[Fazerider]

Hope you've not come back in to update us on the story and left it running out there again.


Wondering about the cause of the incident: does the fan come on OK when the coolant is hot?

[Fuzzygoth]

LOL, no, not again once is enough thanks. The fan did come on but I was gone for a
considerable period of time *cough*nothingtodowithtenisyourhonnest*cough*

*seems* to be running fine, apart from my stupidty tonight

Fuzzy

[BBROWN1664]

Had the same thIng happen on my pan. Filled it up and never lost another drop.

[purplebear7]

     Might be a bit daft of me to ask ... but ..
 
1.   Are you 100% sure that the FAN is working A-OK ?
 
2.   Why do you need to keep running the engine on 'tick-over' ?  I doubt you are doing it any good 
 
Hope it's all OK now .. Stay Safe     
 
Polar Bear (Spain)

[limax2]

I'm not very familiar with the 1000 but if it's the same set-up as the FZS600 I would also check the coolant level in the thermostat housing and not just the resevoir tank. The reason being that coolant only gets drawn into the engine from the reservoir tank as the engine cools. (Due to contraction). Any air in the system gets pushed out into the tank as things heat up.
If considerable coolant has been pushed out it could be low in the engine and radiator etc. and would take a few heating /cooling cycles before it is filled again via the reservoir tank. By which time damage could be done.
Unless it pressurises the system and starts blowing water out soon after starting it will more than likely all be o.k.