[SmokinJoe]

Hi all. We are on our east to west road trip and now are in Durando CO.
During my climb on US 550 to the million dollar mile near Siverton the bike temp went to the max and the red alarm indicator illuminated at an uphill construction stop zone about 11,800 feet elevation. I am pulling a light PoggyBack trailer and have my wife aboard.
I stopped the bike, temp came while idling. I washed the radiator fins (very dusty), checked the coolant level (OK). I think. Pushed through lower elevations downhill w/o any issues.
Cools down when running level or downhill at regular speed or just idling.
I think the thermostat or water pump may have failed.
We are FAR from S Florida.
Could the elevation while pulling the trailer have aything to do with this?
Any opinions???

 

[DanDiver]

I don't have an answer for you, but If there is anything that I can send or get for you, don't hesitate to call my cell phone. I've got the BMWON book handy too and can make a call or get you some numbers .. Dan 813 267 8181

 

[jzeiler]

Been through the same area pulling a trailer and no issues. Did you notice if the fans are coming on? Should be on well before the bars get to the top. Fuse F3 (7.5 amp) for both fans on the 05 and up. T stat or water pump would not see relief on the down hill so I don't suspect that. Could be the radiator cap is loosing pressure. But my first suspect is the fans.

 

[SmokinJoe]

*** ADVICE REQUESTED! ***Help***

I don't have an answer for you, but If there is anything that I can send or get for you, don't hesitate to call my cell phone. I've got the BMWON book handy too and can make a call or get you some numbers .. Dan 813 267 8181

Thanks Dano i will call if needed, nearest dealer is in Grand Junction CO.
I have spoke with others (in trucks & cages) pulling a trailer and they claim their temps shot up sky on the way to the apex. Tooling around town all seems normal but I am obviously concerned because we have 2,599 miles left to get home and lots of mountains and twisties enroute to attack.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Re: ***ADVICE REQUESTED!*** Help***

Been through the same area pulling a trailer and no issues. Did you notice if the fans are coming on? Should be on well before the bars get to the top. Fuse F3 (7.5 amp) for both fans on the 05 and up. T stat or water pump would not see relief on the down hill so I don't suspect that. Could be the radiator cap is loosing pressure. But my first suspect is the fans.

Thanks for the reply John, both fan running full out, the come on just at the lower end of the thermometer indicator. Engine not exceptionally hot although the radiators had construction dust that I washed out (could not see the fans running from the front). Odd thing is when I pulled over the second time it happened (at 12,00 feet @ 71 deg.) and just let it idle the temp came down and the red alarm went went out.
If the cap is loosing pressure would'nt the coolant overflow from the coolant reservoir and spill out?
After I washed the radiator I even squeezed the top hose in case there was an air bubble. Hard to pull the cap without left tupperware removal, but have the tools if I need to do it.

 

[aztechmaster]

My 04 RS did something similar once, it turned out to be the thermostat, after I replaced it much more consistent temp no matter how I rode. My infrared temp gun showed the right side radiator much cooler than the left, like 50 degrees at idle hot.

 

[SmokinJoe]

My 04 RS did something similar once, it turned out to be the thermostat, after I replaced it much more consistent temp no matter how I rode. My infrared temp gun showed the right side radiator much cooler than the left, like 50 degrees at idle hot.

HHMM, I hope I can limp home.

 

[deanwoolsey]

It is possible to have a leak in the overflow line to the coolant reservoir which causes fluid to not be drawn back into the system properly. If you're not aware, you check the reservoir with the left case open. There is a window at the front of the case which is covered with the case closed. If your fans are running and the system is full of properly mixed (50-50) antifreeze I too would look at the thermostat and probably put on a new cap just to be sure.

 

[BecketMa]

At 12K the air is thiner.

You could test the theory that towing the trailer a "mile high" is the cause by parking the tariler and riding up again.

Best from Tucson
Bob

 

[DanDiver]

Check out this link. A few concerns: Thermostat, both fans coming on, coolant level.....

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62347&highlight=k1200lt+overheating

 

[SmokinJoe]

At 12K the air is thiner.

You could test the theory that towing the trailer a "mile high" is the cause by parking the tariler and riding up again.

Best from Tucson
Bob

That is exactly what we are doing today, staying an extra day, now Cathy can go wild in the little shops around town. 12,000 feet is over 2 miles right? Thanks Bob

 

[SmokinJoe]

Check out this link. A few concerns: Thermostat, both fans coming on, coolant level.....

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62347&highlight=k1200lt+overheating

Dan, I scoured through that thread and more trying to eliminate all possibilities. Bob's post is what the plan is today, if all goes well I be comforted knowing I was just exceeding the machines design parameters. I will also post the outcome. Thanks Dan

 

[dukey33]

You've got all the elements in place to make the engine work hard. Climbing, elevation, trailer, two-up, extended idle time immediately following a workout. The perfect storm.
Engines go through a heat soak-back period following high-speed or high effort operation. When you stop moving, there is no ram air onto the radiators and the fans have alot of work to do, dumping all that excess heat. Sometimes the fans can't keep up with a spike in demand like that.

I'd be impressed if the engine temperature didn't max out.

Keep and eye on it. There is probably nothing wrong with the cooling system, just overworked.

 

[SmokinJoe]

You've got all the elements in place to make the engine work hard. Climbing, elevation, trailer, two-up, extended idle time immediately following a workout. The perfect storm.
Engines go through a heat soak-back period following high-speed or high effort operation. When you stop moving, there is no ram air onto the radiators and the fans have alot of work to do, dumping all that excess heat. Sometimes the fans can't keep up with a spike in demand like that.

I'd be impressed if the engine temperature didn't max out.

Keep and eye on it. There is probably nothing wrong with the co oling system, just overworked.

Thanks Dave, I further confirmed this cool morning the radiator cap is OK, I filled the res. to top and this morning it drew down to 1/2, after warming it up it again rose to the top. I Think we need to lay off of the Twinkies and dance more! :bmw:

 

[amarider]

Thanks Dave, I further confirmed this cool morning the radiator cap is OK, I filled the res. to top and this morning it drew down to 1/2, after warming it up it again rose to the top. I Think we need to lay off of the Twinkies and dance more! :bmw:

I've been through the same thing twice with two different LT's over the years. Both at high altitude, up hill, loaded heavy. Both times after coming down the hill and cooling off I checked the radiator cap as you did. But decided to change the cap anyway, well it fixed the problem 100% both times.
It's a cheap and easy fix...... Just saying.

 

[SmokinJoe]

I've been through the same thing twice with two different LT's over the years. Both at high altitude, up hill, loaded heavy. Both times after coming down the hill and cooling off I checked the radiator cap as you did. But decided to change the cap anyway, well it fixed the problem 100% both times.
It's a cheap and easy fix...... Just saying.

If I can find a dealership or equivalent cap from a parts store I'll do it in a jiffy. Is the equivalent cap (neck and pressure) rating for the 2006 LT available from a parts store like NAPA or AutoZone? Anyone know? Thank You!

 

[jzeiler]

It is a high pressure cap 22 PSI. But if it is not holding pressure at all a lower pressure cap that does will help. +1 on just stressing the system. I don't remember it being that hot when I went through there until we hit Durango (first time I put ice in the cooler that trip).

 

[SmokinJoe]

It is a high pressure cap 22 PSI. But if it is not holding pressure at all a lower pressure cap that does will help. +1 on just stressing the system. I don't remember it being that hot when I went through there until we hit Durango (first time I put ice in the cooler that trip).

John, am correct in assuming that if the cap was failing (weak) it would either overflow the coolant res. when hot or not draw coolant (stuck closed) when cold. The coolant is moving up and down in the res. I think we were just kicking the girls ass having to go soooo slow (5-10 mph uphill) on a 8% plus grade. It will be nice and warm today so I'll test it w/o the trailer. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[jzeiler]

Correct it would deffinitely overflow. I think you are OK especially if you were climbing slowly, that would be a real stresser on the bikes cooling system.

 

[Foiler]

I believe there is a shop in Cortez CO, not a dealer but a shop that works on BMWs.