Boiling expansion chamber tank

This is for general posts and questions concerning only the Voyager XII (1200cc, Four-cylinder) Years 1986 thru 2003.

Moderators: the2knights, Highway Rider

User avatar
Nails
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1771
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2017 4:37 pm
7
Current bike(s): '97 XII
'00 XT350
'85 KLR 250
'82 Silverwing Sushiguzzi
Location: New Mexico Rockies
Has liked: 228 times
Been liked: 602 times

Re: Boiling expansion chamber tank

Post by Nails »

ekap1200 wrote: Tue May 12, 2020 10:54 amIf it ran fine before you pulled the carbs than maybe something has been overlooked.
Unless the boiling was only just noticed. Dunno.

Has it been parked where you'd notice antifreeze on the ground?
--
Nails
Andybarnes180
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 11:29 pm
7
Current bike(s): Zg1200
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Boiling expansion chamber tank

Post by Andybarnes180 »

Right, cleaned up my work space, the bike is in a condition where I’ll take of the water pump again. I happy the over flow and lines have not be squished or blocked for the rad, the rad is off and hoses. All seen fine. Hardly any rubbish in them. I’ll get two new seals and put it back on. I imagine that will take a week. Drop the oil is a easy check. I’ll film that and take pics. There is oily deposits around the head. So it could be a leak, I’ll post some pictures.
Looking at the bike and studying the manual is it possible to do a head gasket change with the engine in frame. It looks close.

Can I even get the rocker cover off...looks tights.

I don’t trust the engine thermostat But have one of those heat sensors you point at items with so I can monitor when it runs that way.

I have tested fan it does run but I imagine only when temp sensor circuit is on, I work out to put that on a switch.

I can borrow a rad cap off another bike....they look and fit the same....thoughts?

Oil update later. Pic up tonight some time. Thanks for your help.

Andy
User avatar
Nails
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1771
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2017 4:37 pm
7
Current bike(s): '97 XII
'00 XT350
'85 KLR 250
'82 Silverwing Sushiguzzi
Location: New Mexico Rockies
Has liked: 228 times
Been liked: 602 times

Re: Boiling expansion chamber tank

Post by Nails »

Andybarnes180 wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 7:20 amCan I even get the rocker cover off...looks tights.
Yes. I got the reed valve out of the way (basically permanently). The spark wires will pisss you off. Comes off in two pieces, and the gaskets are a PITA. It's a lot of fun!
--
Nails
Andybarnes180
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 11:29 pm
7
Current bike(s): Zg1200
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Boiling expansion chamber tank

Post by Andybarnes180 »

Hi, thanks for that. I had a nose today at it. I see the split. It looks to me that this been leaking in the past as a is all cruded up oil and dirt. I have some pics. But struggling to load. Some one has gunned up the water pump. So someone has been in there. I can strip back clean and and get some more seals. I’ll try our online Kawasaki dealer first if not doe mr Leo still do business?. I’ll need some new exhaust gaskets too, also the o rings on the two pipes that go into the top of the ending. It may be easier to pull the rocker cover off to clean really well and torque down. I’ll use some new black gasket sealant.

When I first got the bike I had carbs out, I think I actually may of nipped one of the breather pipes, I have unthreaded it from the engine so I can test when it’s back together.

I presume I’ll need seals for thermostat housing too?

The hoses appear fine. Clamps also.

How’s best to add photos?
Andybarnes180
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 11:29 pm
7
Current bike(s): Zg1200
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Boiling expansion chamber tank-update

Post by Andybarnes180 »

Hi, thanks to those who have replied, the update being I’m back on the road. I passed the uk not test the other day. Rode the bike no problem. I just need to balance the carbs after several rebuilds. I have just bought some balances. I’m going to have a few months of nice riding then do some mods in the winter. I need to wire in the relay for running lights. Some switch gear. I am though needing a speedo cable. I must of got the wrong cable as it’s tight and whines like a ...... what’s the correct length? Anyway thanks to Carl and other members advice. Hopefully trouble few for a few hundred miles at least. I’d post some pictures but can’t see how, do I have to be a paid up member? Cheers andy
Attachments
7EC089A0-2C00-44E7-99C8-6486316E0E01.jpeg
800D7FAD-ED8E-4DA1-B819-8D95A321FB32.jpeg
Andybarnes180
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 11:29 pm
7
Current bike(s): Zg1200
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Boiling expansion chamber tank- update pictures

Post by Andybarnes180 »

Some pics,
Attachments
E913A315-CC83-483B-9181-3C817CA23B48.jpeg
DB412498-05D4-4BE2-9304-57B45A27A66F.jpeg
032D6DE4-1688-4C16-A900-359C88E1EA22.jpeg
020F1761-8BF9-4765-875A-7DA9B9F4A6F2.jpeg
These users liked Andybarnes180's post:
cranky (Fri Jun 12, 2020 1:57 pm)
Rating: 11.11%
User avatar
GrandpaDenny
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1078
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2019 4:24 pm
5
Current bike(s): 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Has liked: 481 times
Been liked: 435 times

Re: Boiling expansion chamber tank-update

Post by GrandpaDenny »

Andybarnes180 wrote: Fri Jun 12, 2020 7:23 am I must of got the wrong cable as it’s tight and whines like a ......
Did you lube the cable before you put it in?
Dennis Fariello
Philadelphia, PA
2000 Voyager XII "Gertrude" - deceased
1993 Vulcan 88 "Emily"

South Jersey Retreads
Patriot Guard Riders
Warriors Watch Riders

VXII Manuals:
https://amervoyassoc.org/zg1200manuals.php
User avatar
ekap1200
Master Fabricator
Master Fabricator
Posts: 1364
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2008 12:54 pm
16
Current bike(s): 2000 voyager end of year total. 108.634
Location: Williamstown, New Jersey
Has liked: 33 times
Been liked: 134 times

Re: Boiling expansion chamber tank

Post by ekap1200 »

Andybarnes180 wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:15 pm Hi, I have recently had the carbs off my 86 voyager, got in running again but now the expansion chamber for the coolant begins to boil...and steam out the over flow. I have had the thermostat off, it opens in the boiling water, bleed the system, several times, topped it up...partially looked at the water pump, i.e. If it was clogged. Nothing! Why might it boil? It drains ok, ran fine before? The temp gauge though has always been faulty, ...please any ideas. I can try sorting a video of it boiling for your amusement...thanks andy
Lets get back to this..the coolant - going into the expansion tank is over the boiling point.... OR is it you take the cap off the filler neck, to check the level, at this point the hose going to the tank - drains down to the level of the exp.tank. SO after you place the cap back on ; the expanded coolant it begins to fill that hose, it must first FILL that hose with coolant, NOW could that be what your seeing ? Borrow or buy a non-contact temp gauge and verify these temps. You could also purchase what we call Heat-Tabs. These stick onto any part of the engine you with to keep and eye on and square block will change color to indicate the HIGHEST heat they see.
That hose going down to the expansion tank must be in good shape and not restricted with any ties. Because when the engine cools the system will draw coolant back up into the radiator...
You have to have some means to verify the temps. If this system has not been serviced since 86 your core may be clogged up
keep us posted.
hope this help out.
Gene Kap
"Its not bad if you don't know something, but when you don't know you don't know; That's when your in trouble". Joe Place 1912-2008 (my grandfather)
Andybarnes180
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 11:29 pm
7
Current bike(s): Zg1200
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Boiling expansion chamber tank

Post by Andybarnes180 »

Hi, the bike runs well. Just dealing in the carb balances. The cable is nice and loose, I don’t believe it’s the issue. I’ll just buy another new one. Cheers andy
Post Reply

Return to “General - Voyager XII (1200 Four)”