Help......Overheating after replacing thermostat, hoses, & cap.... Solved

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by Dutch724, Jun 12, 2026.

  1. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    That's not right and suggests the thermostat is not moving. The thermostat should stay closed and keep the coolant circulating just around the engine and wax unit until it reaches its opening point of 78C. So no coolant should be reaching your radiators until that point and they should be cold to the the touch. When the thermostat opens it will release hot coolant suddenly to the radiators and they should go from cold to ouch in a few seconds.

    Given your description I would say your thermostat is jammed part-open but not enough to allow any proper cooling.
     


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  2. vfrcapn

    vfrcapn Insider

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    Sounds like the water pump is working fine. BTW, this is exactly my VFR's temps this week on the way to work, without the eventual overheating.

    65 degree morning while on the back roads temps were not going over 181. Jumped on the interstate I saw 210 then came back down to 185 to 195 and settled in there for the remainder of the ride.

    It's an OEM cap, the new AS3 hoses wouldn't be an issue, bike was ok before changing everything so I wouldn't suspect the pump or head gasket. The thermostat tested good out of the bike, a faster opening thermostat isn't going to cause the bike to go to 250F+, a bad cap might. Air in the system, bad cap or the lines may be crossed? My '99 doesn't have the wax idle unit, could crossing those be an issue, is it a one-way flow?

    Lets go back to what changed on the system that I created this issue. I changed the hoses, thermostat, cap, and emptied the cooling system. Before I did all that I was not having an issue with overheating.
     


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  3. Dutch724

    Dutch724 New Member

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    The fight goes on without definite answers. I think I am crossing more things off the list that are not the problem than I am finding the problem.

    As Vfrcapn has suggested, the water pump is not the issue. The pump looks good a little tight to turn but I would think that is normal. The passages look really clean. Which makes me think the passages in the block are clean as well.

    OH ERIKA!!! Hold the phone!

    While writing this up I was studying the routing in the manual and my pictures and you’re not going to believe what I found in my search…. Well maybe you will. Vfrcapn almost had it nailed. :Whoo:

    I swapped the bottom large hoses going into the water pump. I will post pictures to make sure I am correct.

    Boy, did I pay the stupid tax on this one. Next huddle is filling the system without air.
    This just made my day! :wheelie:
     

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  4. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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  5. Dutch724

    Dutch724 New Member

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    From what I can tell you did it right and I F'ed it up. I'm not surprised I messed it up. I paid close attention to the small hoses and the routing, but the bigger ones seems to point to where they needed to go. I ASSUMED, and it got me.
    You need to use the "+" symbol next to the video symbol for pictures on this site.
     


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  6. vfrcapn

    vfrcapn Insider

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    Sounds like you may have found the problem. I had the same AS3 hoses on my last bike and routed like Mello.
    IMG (Medium).jpeg
     


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  7. Dutch724

    Dutch724 New Member

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    At least you didn't route it like me. :Lol:

    Yes, I hope so. I tried to be as detailed as I could. The only thing lacking was being able to upload a video of the bike running with coolant coming out the radiator fill opening.
    If it wasn't for you guys helping me think this through, I'm not sure I would have figured it out.
    The Forum is a very valuable tool. Too bad it has too many ads.
     


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  8. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    An ad blocker works, at least thats what I have...zero ads for me...
     


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  9. vfrgiving

    vfrgiving New Member

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    so, main take away from this thread is something I instinctively did a few years ago when I tackled a full hose replacement. I replaced one hose at a time. I didn't rip the whole system down at once. hopefully this little tip helps the next guy, lol
     


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  10. vfrcapn

    vfrcapn Insider

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    I made this mistake before, that's why I suspected hoses. At least you weren't on the side of the road in the Mohave desert trying to fix it as the daylight was fading!

    I couldn't take the ads and ponied up the $25. I used to donate that much annually to vfrd, so it's a wash.
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2026


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  11. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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  12. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    Ok, I've got to ask...who is Erika?
     


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  13. Dutch724

    Dutch724 New Member

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    LOL, I spelled it wrong. I was too excited when I found the issue. it should have been.
    EUREKA!!!

    For the record I only took off one hose at a time for the hoses that connected to the thermostat. I figured the large bottom ones pointed to where they were suppose to go. That was my assuming mistake. God forbid, I try and do the vacuum hoses on the throttle body. What a nightmare I would make if I got those wrong.
     


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  14. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Member

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    "God forbid, I try and do the vacuum hoses on the throttle body. What a nightmare I would make if I got those wrong."

    If they are still the stock vacuum lines they are numbered, and the service manual identifies their locations (at least mine are).
     


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  15. Dutch724

    Dutch724 New Member

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    Oh sweet, that is good to know.

    Rode the bike today the temp got as high as 215 but as i was riding it came back down to 185. I pushed it hard to get it to overheat. It seems to like to sit at the 180 to 190 temp while riding around. I'm going to call it good and begin my daily rides.
    I really do appreciate all the help. You guys are awesome. thank you!
     


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  16. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    ^^^^Congrats! :thumbs:
     


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  17. chuntera

    chuntera New Member

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    20210907_195227-0.jpg

    This was the water pump connections on my '99 when I got in 2021. I replaced the hoses but did not check the routing...so...fuck.
    Thank-you for posting about your experience & thanks everyone who left comments.
     


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