Actually these fans and radiators work quite well on the K1200. How is your coolant level and how fresh is it? I would look at this being a possible thermostat problem if the radiators are clear and not clogged with debris. You are the first to report a red warning light that I am aware of on this board in the last 6 years.

 

Are you sure both fans are running?

I had that problem once, and the light came on at the border crossing coming out of Mexico. Fortunately it was near the end of the line. As soon as I got across and started moving all was well again. When I got home I felt the air coming out the radiator outlets and only one was working. Pulled the fairing and found that somehow one fan had come unplugged. I had had some warranty work done the week before, assume the mechanic just did not push the plug all the way on, as they should not be able to come undone without assistance.

 

If you change the coolant yourself and are using BMW coolant, Be sure to dilute it 50 %. Improperly mixed coolant will cause overheating issues. I learned the hard way, Unable to run greater than 70 mph in high heat.

 

Maybe the thermostat is not working properly

 

Kbro, did you ever get a resolution as to what was going on with your overheating? I went on a 300 mile jaunt in northern NM this past Sunday and mine was reacting the same way as you described. I was thinking a thermostat, but what did you come up with?

 

I am not facing this issue, but I have never felt my fans. Mine has never reached over 3/4th of the temperature indicator mark. At what level do the fans turn on? I would like to check if the fans are working fine.

 

I am not facing this issue, but I have never felt my fans. Mine has never reached over 3/4th of the temperature indicator mark. At what level do the fans turn on? I would like to check if the fans are working fine.

You can probably let it sit and idle until the temp goes up enough to trip the fans and see where that happens. I did that once. The only other time that my fans kicked on is one hot summer evening trying to make the loop around Cades Cove in the Smokies in bumper to bumper traffic due to cars filled with folks trying to see the wildlife. The fans came on several times and quickly reduced the temperature to mid range.

 

Try not revving the engine when the fans come on. Also try cleaning the front of the radiators with a brass brush and blowing them off with compressed air. Bugs build up on them and restrict the air flow.

 

An overheating (light on) LT is a rare thing indeed...

I didn't really care for the way it heat cycles but it doesn't seem to hurt them when it's working the way it should be ... Yours is not....

I think you've seen all the bases covered in the previous posts..

Check the radiators and get them cleaned out if they're plugged.
Make sure both fans are coming on...

Make sure your coolant and thermostat are in good shape...

Has anybody ever had to replace the water pump on an LT ? If so I've never heard of it..

John

 

check your radiator cap. Lose pressure and the temp goes up.

 

FYI

T-stat opens @ 185 degrees
Fans cut-in @ 221 degrees
Over Temp Light@ 239 degrees.

 

Has anyone replaced the factory fan temp sensor with one that turns on at a cooler temp?

 

Also be certain that you are not losing coolant from the system and not making it back up from the expansion tank. This can happen if the connector hose from radiator to the exp tank is damaged, kinked or disconnected. The cooling system relies on being 100% full at engine operating temperature for maximum efficiency, that's how these systems work. Check the coolant level in the system by removing the radiator cap with the bike on the centre stand and engine cold. Use a mirror (or your finger) to determine the coolant is right up to the top of the filler neck. If not, top it right up and note the required amount. Then monitor and test while riding. I recently did a coolant change and didn't get the system 100% full first time. The result was a very quick rise in temperature as soon as I stopped and also a rise by 1 bar on the gauge at speeds under 60 Kph. This doesn't happen when they're topped right up, and they should remain that way when working as designed. This test eliminates one more possibility.

 

I have never experienced the warning light coming on, but in bumper to bumper traffic, the temperature needle swings all the way to hot. I haven't lost any coolant, and the fans are running. I don't have any other overheating problems, no matter how far or how fast (at the upper end of the speedo) I ride.

 

I have a 2003 K1200LT with 33,000 miles. Both cooling fans work and come on about midway between the center mark and the red mark. However, the temperature keeps rising even if the fans are on. Only when I get moving again does the temp gauge go down. While riding, I have no problem even in the hottest temperatures. However, as soon as I get stuck in stop and go traffic, the temperature rises fast and the only thing I can do to keep the bike cool is race the engine to get the coolant moving through the system.

In a "previous life" I rode a Honda V65 Magna. In the summer time it constantly "overheated" and the fans ran like crazy, blowing hot air off the engine and on my legs. Looking on forums for that bike at that time, I found that many people had the same issue due to a faulty factory temperature sending unit. Some folks replaced them, some did not. I never did because I believed that if the fans were running the bike was staying cooler than if they were not.

So as stated above- check your coolant levels, perhaps change the coolant, check or change the thermostat. If that doesn't do it, think about the sending unit or look for restrictions somewhere.

It's a closed system so start on one end of it and thoroughly check it all the way through.

Good luck!

 

I have been running evans waterless coolant with great results since may.
Never boils keep bike cool, no pressure no leaks. Really great stuff and they guarantee it. It has been in my car for 2 years now, never needs to be changed ever ever!

 

Had a saab turbo, bought it with old antifreeze in system.
It crystallized in tubes in radiator, only had overheat problem when going fast, since radiator could not get rid of heat.

Flush system well, new antifreeze, or just try water at first since it gets rid of heat the best.

make sure it flows though radiators well, maybe IR temp prob on radiator would show if heat is getting to middle of radiator, if it does not the tubes are screwed.

 

Has anybody ever had to replace the water pump on an LT ? If so I've never heard of it..


too many other things go wrong to allow that many miles!

Just kidding

 

The OP was Kbro back in July of '11 and it appears he never replied or fixed his problem ?! Maybe he sold it or still rides it. I enjoy reading these posts and finding "something else" to help me with maintenance on this flying brick. I mean, we all want to twist that throttle with a smile , and not get caught on side of the road. Ride safe, WTI (watch the idiots) and God Bless

 

Any outcome 'kbro'?