Need Advice (XJ700) Maxim X

I've started having a few problems that I think interconnected, anyone advice would be helpful.

It all started at the end of June when I change my radiator fluid over from everyday car stuff to specialty motorcycle coolant. Then at the end of July I was on a trip and my temp. gauge stopped working (which I wrote of as the sensor being dirty or broken) Then in the last week I've noticed it's been jerks at high speeds (which I thought was just the carbs needing to be clean). But then yesterday, I was on a ride and the engine just flat died 35 miles from home. When I tried to restart, I got a clicking noise (which typically means overheat). To problem is I didn't get below 50, against wind, and it was COLD outside. Since I got it home, I've noticed that there are dried spots where the radiator fluid has hit the engine. So my question is, If one of the tubes has a crack or hole in it can that be effecting my temp. sensor and causing my bike to jerk a little high speeds? :cry:

 

I don't know if the Temp Sender has a signal to the Safety Circuit ... but if it does, then it's likely that the "System" kept you from a High Speed overheat.

You need to get right after leaks in a cooling system. Since its a liguid-cooled bike ... Air Cooling the engine doesn't apply.

Clean-up the area that has the leak and pinpoint what's leaking. Get that fixed and see if the "Jerkiness" goes away.

I have my doubts that the two problems are related. But, the leak in the cooling system is what you are going to have to deal with right away.

I'm sure that the "X-Men" will know if the Temp Sender not getting coolant to measure will effect performance.

I'm also sure that a leak in a Cooling System is the fastest route to doing harm to a liquid cooled engine.
Let's hope there's no harm done running it low on coolant.
Address the leak issue and we'll go from there after I've had a chance to familiarize myself with the Max-X and the Temp Sending Unit.

 

I too am not familiar with the Max-X, but I can shed some light on temp senders and malfunctions. Most water temp senders will not work properly-if at all-if the coolant level drops below their position, i.e. if they're surrounded with nothing but air they won't read because air doesn't conduct heat as well as water. The sensor isn't designed for the difference so you'll get symptoms like what you've described. I suspect when you refilled the bike with coolant you had an air bubble trapped in the bike's cooling system. This may explain why it went from bad-to-worse-to-I'm-walking-home. Something to think about...

 

Well I've gotten my motorcycle to run again, and it apears that nothing is wrong with the engine at lease for now. I've completely taken out the coolant system and I believe I've found the problem, but would like to run it by ya'll.

First off there appears to be no cracks in the hoses, but there was a big build up of coolant on the seam of the thermostat housing. I took the housing apart to find some sludge had built up around the radiator fan and temp sensor. Then when looking at the thermostat unit, the valve component appeared stuck.

I looked at a few websites to see what the symptoms were for one of these failing and it appears what I'm experiencing (As far as overheat at high speeds) is because the valve isn't opening like it's suppost too. As for the leak. I believe that the pressure building up caused the coolant to seep through the sides of the thermostat housing.

At this point, this really only a theory and if any of ya'll can let me know if I'm on the right track (Or far off) please let me know.

Currently I'm going to replace all hoses & the thermostat sensor but if any of ya'll have any advice, I would appreciate it.