R3 overheating

[manhattanrockstar]

Bought a 2018 R3 for my daughter, It has about a 1000 miles on it. After restoring the chain, I ran it for a bit and unfortunately it overheated while idling (6 bars, last flashing, no CEL). We figured the coolant overflow empty and refilled it. The level stayed put, but the bike still overheated and the radiator remained cold. We then found the coolant leaking from the overflow tank, most likely due to a crack in the brittle plastic where the side fairing attaches, possibly overtightened at the factory. The old R3 overflow tank part number was already superseded, I think due to a flaw. New ones werebackordered according to most sources. I suspect a slow leak from the overflow caused the radiator to empty. Bought and used an overflow tank from a 2020 R3 w/ same part number. Will confirm the leak once I access the radiator. Posting this in case it helps others and will update after new part install and coolant refill.

 

[OnMelancholyHill]

Bought a 2018 R3 for my daughter, It has about a 1000 miles on it. After restoring the chain, I ran it for a bit and unfortunately it overheated while idling (6 bars, last flashing, no CEL). We figured the coolant overflow empty and refilled it. The level stayed put, but the bike still overheated and the radiator remained cold. We then found the coolant leaking from the overflow tank, most likely due to a crack in the brittle plastic where the side fairing attaches, possibly overtightened at the factory. The old R3 overflow tank part number was already superseded, I think due to a flaw. New ones werebackordered according to most sources. I suspect a slow leak from the overflow caused the radiator to empty. Bought and used an overflow tank from a 2020 R3 w/ same part number. Will confirm the leak once I access the radiator. Posting this in case it helps others and will update after new part install and coolant refill.

thanks for the inspiration. my cousin's car was overheating when idling too, but his main problem was the cooling fan.

 

[Alan. K]

Now I think its safe to say that the R3's overflow tank definitely has its issues, I've seen a few posts about it cracking from over tightening, so you're not alone. It's weird how yamaha swapped out the part number and made the new ones backordered, anyway good you swapped to the 2020, that should solve the leak as long as its a clean fit, you can also let us know if it resolved the issue

 

[danieldoesthis]

Nice post. I always enjoy posts like this that don't ask but just give tips or something.

 

[RollingBones]

Hope you manage to sort things out and give your daughter a car free ride. While you're at it, you can do a flush and clean on the radiator. No harm in removing some of the gunk that's there