K Bike Radiator Fan Alert
I am resurfacing to give a strong warning of impending doom for any K100/K1100 series bike owners. Please, this off-season inspect the
cooling fan and radiator for damage. The fan impeller is retained on the shaft by interference fit pressure, and will, over time migrate the
length of the shaft and the nose of the fan hub will contact the radiator core and slowly abrade the core tube until the radiator begins
to leak. The migration is slow, and at first it is unnoticeable, however, the fan will begin to fling coolant and make a real mess of the
engine. Eventually the leak will become obvious, there will be large puddles of coolant under the bike and the front of the engine will be
washed with whitish stains. The fan impeller needs to be affixed to the shaft in a manner that will not allow it to migrate or slip.
I just replaced my radiator with a spare I had in my garage. When I removed the fan from the spare radiator I discovered it had been
previously repaired. There was a glob of aluminum weld on the core where the fan rubs. Believe me when I say this, please take this
seriously, you run the risk of seriously damaging your engine, and messing up any weekend riding plans in a hurry. On an LT the R&R of the
radiator is about a 4-6 hour job, probably less time for other models. Be sure to completely refill the radiator after installing it. Be
patient, the coolant will go in slowly at the filler neck. I refilled the engine and bottom of the radiator by taking the bypass hose from the
radiator to the block and rotating it up while attached to the radiator and using it as a filler neck. Filling the remaining volume of the
radiator was relatively painless. Go slow, coolant will trickle and overflow very easily, and it will amaze you how much coolant will pool
on the top of the engine block. You can see photos of the damage here.
Dear Abby,
I've never written to you before, but I really need your advice on what could be a crucial decision. I've suspected for some time now that my
wife has been cheating on me. The usual signs... Phone rings but if I answer, the caller hangs up. My wife has been going out with the girls
a lot recently although when I ask their names she always says, "Just some friends from work, you don't know them." I always stay awake to
look out for her taxi coming home, but she always walks down the drive, although I can hear a car setting off, as if she has gotten out of the
car round the corner. Why? Maybe she wasn't in a taxi? I once picked her cell phone up just to see what time it was and she went berserk and
screamed that I should never touch her phone again and why was I checking up on her. Anyway, I have never broached the subject with my
wife. I think deep down I just didn't want to know the truth, but last night she went out again and I decided to really check on her. I decided
I was going to park my Harley Davidson Low-rider next to the garage and then hide behind it so I could get a good view of the whole street when
she comes home. It was at that moment, crouching behind my Harley, that I noticed that the rocker boxes on my engine seem to be leaking a little
oil. Is this something I can fix myself or should I take it back to the dealer?
Larry Romestant
ME, Vacco Industries
626.652.6618 Desk
818.231.3014 Cell
www.vacco.com
If you bcome aware of any other situation which might concern other BMW riders, please contact the webmaster at tom@wade.name