Hi guys, the last couple of rides, and today, I noticed that my bike was running way too hot, even by panigale standards. I was riding down an open backroad pie you zero traffic and ambient temps of between 20-25*c. Bike was still constantly running on “HI”. I noticed this on my last ride as well, but that time it would constantly keep dropping 6-7* before coming back to “HI”. This time when I finally parked the bike after canning my trip, I could almost hear the coolant boiling, or maybe it actually was boiling... Any suggestions on what this might be? Anyone who’s seen my previous posts would know I had heating issues earlier as well, where a lot of gunk had formed in the cooling system, which was flushed using water. I used the bike without fault for quiet some time after that, only heating up in Bombay traffic and maybe the last track day where ambient temps etc in high 40*c to low 50*c... I’m planning on taking it to the service center again and having the cooling system flushed with a liqui moly radiator cleaner. Is there anything else I should be doing? I think the coolant level might also be slightly low(it’s been dumped a couple of times thanks to overheating), but thanks to the brilliant Italian design, I don’t have any way of checking without opening the fairings.
Have you thought about adding "Wetter Water". That made a difference to and old X11 of mine that was running hot. TB
Actually using water wetter is what started my problems with the cooling system and now I’m too scared to try it again. Maybe engine ice? Link below. https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/bike-overheating-with-smoke.55177/
Is the radiator fan actually cutting in? Can you hear it running, check that first. Also if you have re filled the cooling system a few times already it might have an air lock, I seem to remember it shows you in the owners manual that you have to elevate the front wheel quite a bit, 30-35cm?? Can’t remember exactly, to bleed the system free from any air locks, have a look in your manual. Finally, check the radiator core itself to see that it’s not clogged up with debris and dust, if it looks dirty and blocked try a water hose from the back of the radiator to flush any blockage out, also if you can manage for space, use a clean paint brush once again from the back of the radiator and push the bristles through the radiator core to force dirt out. Only other thing I can think of is that the thermostat is faulty and permanently closed, but you would need to check these details in a workshop manual. Good luck
Check the rads are clean, especially the lower one. I’ve seen a few this year that have had them blocked with road grime or rubber from track use. The fan only works on the lower rad and if that’s blocked, then the fan does nothing. A good soak and a clean has helped significantly restore the cooling ability.
i also agree with Nelly above, my 1199 lower radiator was full of road muck, and i had to soak it overnight in a bucket to clean all the crud out. so work a look to see how water flows though from back to front at different areas of the matrix
Is there space behind them to run a continual secondary small fan, similar to a small computer fan size wise to assist the main fan but make it ignition live rather than thermostat live? I only ask as given you live in India, a hot running bike in a hot country may just need a boost in a way it wasn't originally designed or catered for?
Actually, if it was overheating in my home city of Bombay, then I wouldn’t be so concerned. But the place I was riding was really cool and there was definitely a lot of cool air flowing over the radiator. Also the fan was definitely coming on. I’m going to check the radiators and have them cleaned inside and out. I really doubt the panigale would have space for an extra fan, but it’s definitely something worth considering if possible. Thanks for your suggestion.
Can’t help wondering if your coolant level has dropped enough to induce an air lock. Is the fairing panel that hard to remove on a Panigale? Quick and simple on earlier bikes. If you’ve managed to spray liquid cow muck over your radiator from the road, that stuff sets like concrete and would definitely block the fins.
Ambient of less than 25 degrees and the bike running 'Hi' is definately an issue. I would agree, clean the lower radiator, but you will need to remove the heat ducting from behind it to do it properly. I would check for aid locks and coolant level though and check you don't have water pump failure (more common than it should be on the superquadro lump). I had mine serviced, then it developed a coolant leak (it leaks betwen the cylinders and runs down the alt cover when on the side stand) and within a few hundred miles the coolant tank was nearly empty.
Last time I had similar on my 1199 when I pulled up for fuel the bike was pouring out oil and coolant all over the floor... Needless to say it was new cases etc to resolve the issue. Fingers crossed your issue is much easier to resolve.
I had a issue with my 899 x race bike, it had obviously sprung a leak during one of the race meetings and they had used rad weld to sort the problem, upon rebuilding the engine I was told to get a new oil cooler as the radweld had clogged the cooler up, maybe the wetter water you previously used and had problems with has restricted the flow in the cooler.
