I think I broke it. Please help!

[It's not a GSXR]

So I jet washed my bike earlier today, on the paddock stand I started the bike and put it in first to lube the chain, revved the engine up to about 5k to spin off any excess lube. At the front there was a very small pop and lots of steam. I stopped the engine. Radiator seems fine, no leaks. Coolant is at a good level. Spoke to a mechanic who said a little bit of water in the engine will make it burn hot! Checked the air filter, dry as a bone.

Left it 3 hours. Started the bike and the downpipes get hot in just 10 seconds!

Can anybody help me?

 

[theluisvlogs]

Re: I think I broke it. Please help!

depending on how well you washed it the water will seep in anywhere!
check the colour of your oil, check your coolant level and colour, does the bike smoke out the exhaust? maybe post a quick video so we can see!!



Source: I am a motocycle/car mechanic and have been since 2004

 

[NEMBuck]

Re: I think I broke it. Please help!

Uh Oh....

 

[Cagerontwowheels]

Re: I think I broke it. Please help!

I'm not a mechanic, but...

Could be nothing at all. If you jet washed it, some water may have been stuck in some crevice in the radiator grill (top or bottom, the corners).
When you started your bike, it got hot and while getting hot, started expanding untill the water "pop"ed (likely when it reached boiling)out. Steam is from the all the water that was still there from the jetwash turning into steam.

I'm saying this cause my bike (the NC700x) is notably steamy. After some riding in the rain, you stop, and there's a magical fog in front of you. You dismount and notice the "fog" is LOADS of steam coming from the radiator. (together with a very ugly smell of stale water boiling, dead insect and burned dirt). And by loads I mean LOADS. As in, people calling for a tow due to a radiator leak (that was only that steam).It looks like the same thing.

 

[Nerb]

Re: I think I broke it. Please help!

Started the bike and the downpipes get hot in just 10 seconds!

What do you mean "the downpipes"? The exhaust? If so, then yes, that will always get hot quickly.

 

[ariderslife]

Re: I think I broke it. Please help!

the downpipes always get hot, what are you talking about

 

[Cagerontwowheels]

Re: I think I broke it. Please help!

ye. I've seen a couple of bikes (one is a supermoto thingy) that has REDHOT downpipes in a minute or so of idling. Its so bright at night it really looks like someone put some LED lighting down there.

 

[MrFalloffalot]

Re: I think I broke it. Please help!

Lit my cigarette on my Wr426!! (i 4got my lighter lol)

I aggree with all - Radiator steaming.
Bikes are made 'water resistent', so unless it sat in a 'bath' for an hour, give its pores a good clean, Your fine!!
Electrics can get wet, cause a 'Short' for a while, even Not run on all cylinders. BUT you can still ride it. The cyl. not firing will still go up+down-get wet with petrol+oil, just no spark till the 'Short' dries out.

If you are really unsure, unplugg+blow-out all connectors u see, same with Plug leads. Use CRC in it ifu need (disperses water, is ok to spray on electrics). After that if its still being a beearch, goto mechanic then.
Ive been working on bikes+cars since i was 12 (now 43) Dont panic, it happens. Some vehicles 'hate' water more than others.
Cheers
>

 

[It's not a GSXR]

Re: I think I broke it. Please help!

Got the bike back Tuesday. The mechanic was braver than me ran the bike up to temp twice no dramas. Was probably water sitting in the fins if the rad, probably a gust if wind pushed it onto the hot pipes. Obviously I know pipes get hot I just didn't think it would get that hot instantly. I've spent a LOT of hard earned money on this bike and the last thing I want to do is ignore any doubts and seize the engine. But I'm all happy bike is back and shinyer than ever

 

[MrFalloffalot]

Re: I think I broke it. Please help!

You need to do a light engine course. I have freinds thatll get a shop to change the oil in their bike, but at $180 per time, its REDICULOUS!!
ITS EASY, do it your self. Check Utube for howto's.
If its under warranty, well thats why i buy used bikes, warranties suck!!

One day im doing How To vids, I build/Customise+Restore, so PLENTY of topics to film...
Cheers
>

 

[It's not a GSXR]

Re: I think I broke it. Please help!

If I had a cheap winter hack, I'd go all tools blazing on it learning as I go along. I don't doubt my ability to actually do it, I'd just rather not risk it on such a nice bike