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Scooters - 125 to 300 => Bet & Win 250 => Topic started by: BettinANDlosing on May 08, 2014, 03:24:30 AM

Title: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 08, 2014, 03:24:30 AM
Hi Kymco Forum, this is my first post. Very good info here, this is just the first time I've been stumped on any Kymco (I work at a Kymco shop too  :-\ ) I have a B&W 250 that I got for $100, rebuilt everything, new crank MRP 300cc top end, Naraku cam and a lot more. The issue is this: the coolant slowly gets ejected out of the radiator into the reserve bottle. It's not extremely fast but it will overflow the reserve after an extended period of driving, if I went 100 miles without draining the bottle and refilling the radiator it would spill out the reservoir. I've replaced all the coolant hoses, checked the clamps, tried two different new radiator caps, drained and re-filled coolant multiple times always making sure to bleed from the bubble hose and at the radiator. When I got the scooter I rebuild the pump seals and gasket, no leaks what-so-ever. I am baffled at this, and have resorted to using a syringe to refill the radiator once or twice a week at this point. A lot of people on different forums I read say headgasket for this type of problem but this top end has maybe 2000 miles on it, all properly torqued to spec. If anyone has ran into this, or know any special bleeding procedure for the 250 L/c motors chime in, thanks.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: zombie on May 08, 2014, 04:47:23 AM
The only thing that will force an overflow is expansion of the coolant. You have to find the highest point in the plumbing to bleed the air.

If it were a bad head gasket to coolant would be draining. Someone else here went thru this same issue sooooooooo many times he sold the bike, and later found out it was as easy as getting the trapped air out of the system. I think it was Jpreston. Try searching his radiator/overheating posts.
 I think you will find the Tstat housing has a hose w/ a 90* bend that traps air near the top of the cylinder. The other thing was the bleeder you refereed to is actually a fill port. The bike has to be warm so the Tstat is open, and with the radiator cap off, and the bike running you fill the coolant thru that "bleeder". That is supposed to expel air as it fills.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 09, 2014, 01:36:44 AM
Thanks, I'll look around for his posts. I'm a determined individual so no selling the bike until I figure out what is going on here!!!!
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: zombie on May 09, 2014, 03:24:58 AM
I remember the posts... I have had the same issue with a particular Marine engine that I had to fill by adding a 3 way valve at the Tstat.

Here is the search page result... It's in here somewhere.  http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?action=search2 (http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?action=search2)

Crap it didn't link... Jprestonian / overheat all the posts are there
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 09, 2014, 03:48:40 AM
So by "Bleeder" i meant the vacuum line size hose running from t-stat to the radiator, is this the line you put the 3 way valve in? Please explain, thanks.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: zombie on May 09, 2014, 04:01:27 AM
I'm talking about a completely different engine but it had a similar problem. Spewing coolant due to an air lock in the system that piss poor design did not compensate for.

You have to look at it logically... Where can air get trapped, and how do I get it out. With the Tstat open is where you have to begin. Sometimes you can force the air out by running with the radiator cap off, and filling up as the air surges out. No guarantees there.

Sometimes you can loosen a hose, and the air will expel. You have to find where air is stuck.

Just for double checking... Pull out your spark plug, and post up a pict taken so we can see into the insulator.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: mrbios on May 20, 2014, 01:16:12 AM
... the coolant slowly gets ejected out of the radiator into the reserve bottle. It's not extremely fast but it will overflow the reserve after an extended period of driving,

1. Use a pressure tester on the radiator.

2. Perform a simple "leak down test"  - don't need the gauge.  Remove the thermostat, bring piston to TDC and apply compressed air.  If the head gasket is leaking you will get air bubbles in the coolant.  Listen for air leaks in crankcase  (exhaust valve leak) & carbs (intake valve leak).

Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 20, 2014, 05:23:38 PM
I have came to the conclusion that the headgasket is bad. I can burp the coolant, all the air bubbles come out but the level just keeps rising rising rising in my burping funnel. When I ride, then let the bike cool down, then check the level in the radiator its all air even after just a day of riding. I have a message into Joel at MRP to order a headgasket and basegasket and see if that fixes it. Hey, gives me an excuse to bust out the Dremell and port the head while I'm in there!!!
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: mrbios on May 20, 2014, 08:23:42 PM
... I have a message into Joel at MRP to order a headgasket and basegasket and see if that fixes it....

I hope the new gaskets fix the leak; keep us updated on your progress.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 22, 2014, 09:25:15 PM
Wow MRP does not stock gasket kits for their 300cc kit. Possibly just going to buy a stock 250cc top end. Keep you guys posted.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: mrbios on May 22, 2014, 10:08:32 PM
Wow MRP does not stock gasket kits for their 300cc kit. Possibly just going to buy a stock 250cc top end. Keep you guys posted.

Wow, what a let down.  I'm still waiting for the screw in the bottom of the carb float bowl that I ordered 5 weeks ago.  I decided to seal the hole with epoxy until the part arrives.  What happened to the gasket supplied with the kit?  Did it get damaged during install?
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: zombie on May 22, 2014, 10:34:31 PM
It's the same w/ Malossi. and Polini. They never have the gasket kits... Ir=regardless of the supplier.

That's the shi_ that gets frustrating... You learn to order in advance for all the "peripheral" stuff.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: mrbios on May 22, 2014, 10:50:46 PM
It's the same w/ Malossi. and Polini. They never have the gasket kits...

Is it even possible to order a gasket kit for these brands?
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: zombie on May 22, 2014, 10:55:28 PM
Yes but it is usually 2-3 weeks before you see it. I order 4-5 sets at a time, and re-order when I get to two.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: mrbios on May 22, 2014, 11:24:20 PM
Yes but it is usually 2-3 weeks before you see it. I order 4-5 sets at a time, and re-order when I get to two.

Ok, good to know.  How often do you change your gaskets and why?
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 23, 2014, 12:47:35 AM
I have tried literally EVERYTHING but air keeps pumping into the cooling system. When I first built this motor the cam was off ( Love working on bikes at 2am tired as sh**) and I had to un-torque the head to get the cam right. So thats all I can figure other than maybe the head is warped from the previous owner, he did run it out of oil.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: mrbios on May 23, 2014, 04:51:21 AM
Love working on bikes at 2am tired as sh...

I've been in the same situation many times.  Take off the cylinder and put a straight edge across the top to check for warp.  You could also set it on a thick piece of glass.  You might want to take it to a local machine shop and have them mic the bore etc.  If it needs it they could bore and plane it back in to spec, if it's even out.

Keep us posted.  I'm thinking about installing to a 300cc kit on my GV.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 23, 2014, 05:27:04 AM
Yeah just to be safe I was planning on doing some porting and then taking to it a machine shop to level it, gain a little compression too ;)
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: mrbios on May 23, 2014, 07:46:07 AM
Yeah just to be safe...

Btw, I like your quote "BettinANDlosing" is that a takeoff on Bet&Win?
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 23, 2014, 04:46:40 PM
Haha yeah, I took a gamble on this bike @ $100. At the moment, the house is winning.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: mrbios on May 23, 2014, 06:32:40 PM
Haha yeah, I took a gamble on this bike @ $100...

You can part it out and get the money back in a heart beat.  Stay the course.  If the rest of the scoot is ok you will end up with a good running machine.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: BettinANDlosing on May 23, 2014, 08:28:43 PM
No parting out for me, I'm a determined wrench head. I'll get it dialed in even if I have to go back to 250cc.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: BettinANDlosing on July 03, 2014, 06:12:05 AM
Oh my lord this it's way overdue....... I think the bet n win it's winnin!!!!! Got the cylinder head back from the machinist today, got the mating surface leveled and first testing and absolutely no rise in overflow!!!!! Got the exhaust port ported and polished a bit and it has never felt better. Now for the weekend for a long test ride, that seemed to really overflow it before.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: zombie on July 03, 2014, 03:50:58 PM
Hope you nailed it brother.
Title: Re: Coolant overflowing from reservoir
Post by: BettinANDlosing on July 03, 2014, 07:05:22 PM
Checked the coolant this morning cold, RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE NECK!!!!!!!!!! Usually this would be down even after a 10-15 mile ride and I rode that last night and RAPED the scooter. +2 for warped cylinder head.