? for King Quad and 250 Quadrunner guys...
Jun 3, 2002 | 07:15 PM
#1
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Trailblazer
Joined: May 2002
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I see some of you guys have cooling fans on your bikes. Mine runs fine when it is going, but when I shut it off for a few minutes it is real hard to start. Almost like it is vapor-locking. Dealer is playing it off like it is a isolated case. I think it is a common problem or they would not offer the fan kit. And if it is a problem it should come with the bike. Not a $150 option. What I'm getting at is: Do any of you run the factory fan or did you come up with your own? Is it switched on by a temp sensor or is it just a on-off switch? How much did you pay? Thanks in advance for any info...
Brian
Brian
Jun 3, 2002 | 08:42 PM
#2
Pro Rider
Joined: Feb 2001
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Brian,
I put Suzuki cooling fans on both my 250 and King Quads because I experienced the same symptoms you describe and sometimes worse, especially on the 250 because it didn't have an oil cooler. BTW, the service manual indicates that the cooling fan is OEM equipment for 250 Quadrunner's sold in Austrailia.
The Suzuki cooling fan has both a temperature sensor and a manual push button that mounts on the handlebars. It replaces the oil temp sensor that comes stock. The temp sensor kicks the fan on when the oil reachs 248 degrees F (I can look for sure if you want to know exactly) and shuts it off when the oil temp goes down to around 230 F. Personally, I think that temp is way too hot for oil. Most cars now have thermostats that limit the coolant to 195 F. Since the coolant carries the heat from the engine block, I'd bet the oil doesn't get to 240 F. I remember reading somewhere that oil begins to break down at 200 F.
During the summers, I usually ride in 90+ F temps at elevations > 6000 ft.
On the 250 Quadrunner:
Riding around at 10-20 mph is fine on both machines, but as soon as I climb, or do any amount of slow rock crawling, the bike gets hot because of the lack of air flow. Last year without the fan, the bike would run fine until I shut if off, then it would be difficult to start. Sometimes I could hear the gas boiling in the carb. I'd just have to take off the seat and let the heat dissipate by itself until it started.
On the KQ:
Same symptoms as the 250 only it took longer to overheat because of the oil cooler. I put a cooling fan on it and it hasn't come on yet this year. It's still spring though. Once summer hits, I'd bet money it will kick on.
I have to agree with you about it being common. Some folks have made their own cooling fans from muffin fans they purchased from Northern (I think).
The good news is the Suzuki cooling fan works like a charm. Kicks on and off automatically. You have to be careful about going through water with it though. The user's manual discourages it.
I paid $280 for a new Suzuki cooling fan. If you can get one for $150, do it. You can probably make your own for about 1/10th the cost though.
Hope this helps.
Mark
I put Suzuki cooling fans on both my 250 and King Quads because I experienced the same symptoms you describe and sometimes worse, especially on the 250 because it didn't have an oil cooler. BTW, the service manual indicates that the cooling fan is OEM equipment for 250 Quadrunner's sold in Austrailia.
The Suzuki cooling fan has both a temperature sensor and a manual push button that mounts on the handlebars. It replaces the oil temp sensor that comes stock. The temp sensor kicks the fan on when the oil reachs 248 degrees F (I can look for sure if you want to know exactly) and shuts it off when the oil temp goes down to around 230 F. Personally, I think that temp is way too hot for oil. Most cars now have thermostats that limit the coolant to 195 F. Since the coolant carries the heat from the engine block, I'd bet the oil doesn't get to 240 F. I remember reading somewhere that oil begins to break down at 200 F.
During the summers, I usually ride in 90+ F temps at elevations > 6000 ft.
On the 250 Quadrunner:
Riding around at 10-20 mph is fine on both machines, but as soon as I climb, or do any amount of slow rock crawling, the bike gets hot because of the lack of air flow. Last year without the fan, the bike would run fine until I shut if off, then it would be difficult to start. Sometimes I could hear the gas boiling in the carb. I'd just have to take off the seat and let the heat dissipate by itself until it started.
On the KQ:
Same symptoms as the 250 only it took longer to overheat because of the oil cooler. I put a cooling fan on it and it hasn't come on yet this year. It's still spring though. Once summer hits, I'd bet money it will kick on.
I have to agree with you about it being common. Some folks have made their own cooling fans from muffin fans they purchased from Northern (I think).
The good news is the Suzuki cooling fan works like a charm. Kicks on and off automatically. You have to be careful about going through water with it though. The user's manual discourages it.
I paid $280 for a new Suzuki cooling fan. If you can get one for $150, do it. You can probably make your own for about 1/10th the cost though.
Hope this helps.
Mark
Jun 3, 2002 | 10:40 PM
#3
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Trailblazer
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Thanks Mark,
That is just what I thought. I also take the seat off when I stop and it seems to help. The salesman gave me a rough quote of 150, I did not check for sure yet. I'm sure it is closer to your # with the way suzuki parts are. I've also had problems with the neutral safty switch on the tranny. Already had one replaced. The light won't come on and the bike will not crank. The new one failed me twice in the woods last time. I have to disconnect the plug, take a wire and ground the plug so the neutral lite will come on, then it will start. Not very happy with this bike at all! The switch is working now though, so the dealer will probably try to brush me off. I called Suzuki customer service and they pretty much told me to deal with it and take it back to the dealer.
On a better note, I bought a new Eiger and I'm very happy with it. It doesn't have the locker, but it is real fast and very agile. Great for the kind of riding I do.
That is just what I thought. I also take the seat off when I stop and it seems to help. The salesman gave me a rough quote of 150, I did not check for sure yet. I'm sure it is closer to your # with the way suzuki parts are. I've also had problems with the neutral safty switch on the tranny. Already had one replaced. The light won't come on and the bike will not crank. The new one failed me twice in the woods last time. I have to disconnect the plug, take a wire and ground the plug so the neutral lite will come on, then it will start. Not very happy with this bike at all! The switch is working now though, so the dealer will probably try to brush me off. I called Suzuki customer service and they pretty much told me to deal with it and take it back to the dealer.
On a better note, I bought a new Eiger and I'm very happy with it. It doesn't have the locker, but it is real fast and very agile. Great for the kind of riding I do.
Jun 4, 2002 | 12:40 AM
#4
Pro Rider
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 439
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Brian,
Glad to hear about your Eiger. Lots of readers are satisfied with that bike. I just traded my 250 Quadrunner in for a (another)new Vinson. I'm supposed to take delivery this week. I wanted peace of mind re: the overheating and starting, an automatic, and the power. My girlfriend loved the 250 because it wouldn't man-handle her. I had put the jet kit in it and it gave it lots more pep.
The last few times out I let her ride my Vinson a few times and now she likes the automatic and the power. I came real close to buying the auto Eiger. But I looked at the weight difference between it and the Vinson and it was small so I thought I'd go with the bigger motor.
I did keep my KQ though. It's a tank. I'm really hoping that with the oil cooler and now the fan, it won't overheat anymore. I'm pretty sure that HighLifter makes a product you add to the oil that lets it run much much cooler. You might give that a try. I can't remember the name now but I'm sure that if you go to their web site, you'll see it. I might buy some this summer for my KQ.
BTW, where's WinterHaven? I was stationed at Homestead AFB for a few years when I was in the Marines. I think it's closed now.
Mark
Glad to hear about your Eiger. Lots of readers are satisfied with that bike. I just traded my 250 Quadrunner in for a (another)new Vinson. I'm supposed to take delivery this week. I wanted peace of mind re: the overheating and starting, an automatic, and the power. My girlfriend loved the 250 because it wouldn't man-handle her. I had put the jet kit in it and it gave it lots more pep.
The last few times out I let her ride my Vinson a few times and now she likes the automatic and the power. I came real close to buying the auto Eiger. But I looked at the weight difference between it and the Vinson and it was small so I thought I'd go with the bigger motor.
I did keep my KQ though. It's a tank. I'm really hoping that with the oil cooler and now the fan, it won't overheat anymore. I'm pretty sure that HighLifter makes a product you add to the oil that lets it run much much cooler. You might give that a try. I can't remember the name now but I'm sure that if you go to their web site, you'll see it. I might buy some this summer for my KQ.
BTW, where's WinterHaven? I was stationed at Homestead AFB for a few years when I was in the Marines. I think it's closed now.
Mark
Jun 4, 2002 | 02:12 PM
#5
Weekend Warrior
Joined: May 2002
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There are several synthetic oils on the market that'll take the heat better than the OEM oils and it's cheaper than a cooling fan.
Torco, Amsoil, Redline and Motul just to name a few oils.
On my Suzuki Kantana 600 (air/oil cooled) I used Motul semi synthetic oil, it ran cooler, shifted better, had way better performance, idled smoother, never and I mean never had a cooling issue or any other problems.
I plan the use a synthetic oil in my new King Quad 300 - which one as of yet I don't know - all the oils I said from above treated me good, though the Suzuki seems to like the motul better than the rest !!!
Torco, Amsoil, Redline and Motul just to name a few oils.
On my Suzuki Kantana 600 (air/oil cooled) I used Motul semi synthetic oil, it ran cooler, shifted better, had way better performance, idled smoother, never and I mean never had a cooling issue or any other problems.
I plan the use a synthetic oil in my new King Quad 300 - which one as of yet I don't know - all the oils I said from above treated me good, though the Suzuki seems to like the motul better than the rest !!!
Jun 4, 2002 | 09:24 PM
#7
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 439
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KawasakiMan,
What year is your 250? The valve caps are on the top of the cylinder head. I can only tell you the clearances for the 2000 model.
FINNBEAR,
Let me know how the synthetic oil works in your KQ. I've heard cautions about using synthetic oils with automatic clutches.
Mark
What year is your 250? The valve caps are on the top of the cylinder head. I can only tell you the clearances for the 2000 model.
FINNBEAR,
Let me know how the synthetic oil works in your KQ. I've heard cautions about using synthetic oils with automatic clutches.
Mark
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Jun 4, 2002 | 09:42 PM
#8
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Trailblazer
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Thanks for the info guys...
Kawasaki, Haven't serviced mine yet. I'm not sure on the clearences. When you find out give me a post. I need to go ahead and get a manual. Looks like i'm going to be stuck with this one a while.
Mark, I see the vinson is coming in 5 spd this year. That's got me thinking. Never been fond of the auto's. Winter Haven is in the middle of the state. Right between Tampa and Orlando.
Kawasaki, Haven't serviced mine yet. I'm not sure on the clearences. When you find out give me a post. I need to go ahead and get a manual. Looks like i'm going to be stuck with this one a while.
Mark, I see the vinson is coming in 5 spd this year. That's got me thinking. Never been fond of the auto's. Winter Haven is in the middle of the state. Right between Tampa and Orlando.
Jun 4, 2002 | 10:57 PM
#9
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4
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(formally known as Kawasaki Man)
Mark Do they look like bolts?
I have a 2001 but i would like to know the 2000 to give me some reference also how do adjust them.. havent look too far into it yet
Guys what is the best manual?
Also Mark and brian where is the oil filter location at?
Thanks ALOT
Mark Do they look like bolts?
I have a 2001 but i would like to know the 2000 to give me some reference also how do adjust them.. havent look too far into it yet
Guys what is the best manual?
Also Mark and brian where is the oil filter location at?
Thanks ALOT
Jun 5, 2002 | 12:15 AM
#10
Pro Rider
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 439
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4WheelMan,
Send me your e-mail and I'll send you a couple of scanned pages from the 2000 250 Quadrunner service manual. The filter housing is just forward of the center of the right rear wheel. It has three bolts. I've just traded my 250 in for a Vinson, if you want to buy my manual, let me know. A new one will cost you almost $60.
Mark
Send me your e-mail and I'll send you a couple of scanned pages from the 2000 250 Quadrunner service manual. The filter housing is just forward of the center of the right rear wheel. It has three bolts. I've just traded my 250 in for a Vinson, if you want to buy my manual, let me know. A new one will cost you almost $60.
Mark