I need help with an overheating Honda Elite CH150

[elcabesa]

Hello all. Just joined the group after reading the posts for several
weeks. Very informative! This is my third honda scooter (aero 50 and
and elite 80) but the first one I have ever attempted to work on
myself. I am armed only with the service manual, helpful internet
groups such as this one, and small amount of mechical aptitude. I am
learning as I go and its been pretty fun so far.

So... I picked up an '85 Honda Elite CH150 from a family member that
had been sitting for about 3 years. I drained the gas and it wasn't
too varnishy. I removed the carb and gave it a good cleaning. Changed
the engine oil with the Honda GN4. Changed the transmission oil with
Honda GN4. I took off the airbox, cleaned it all out and replaced the
air filter. New spark plug. New battery. Cleaned the drive belt air
cleaner element. Drained the coolant and added the Honda brand 50/50
coolant to the overflow. I ran it for 30 seconds or so with the
radiator cap off to bleed the lines. The scoot started up and I got it
up to 63mph on the inaugural ride. Its idled kinda rough but I was all
smiles. What a blast to be back on two wheels again.

First problem: the gasket between the float bowl and the carb body is
leaking. It looked a little crusty when I inspected it. So rather than
paying $27 for the gasket kit from honda I just spent $65 for a whole
new aftermarket carb from a guy in Miami selling them on Ebay,
manufactured by RUNTONG. I haven't mounted it yet so we'll see how it
works. I figure at least I'll have some backup parts this way. I am
assuming this problem will be resolved soon.

Second problem and where I really need the help: my scooter is
overheating. I takes a little while to overheat but within 10 minutes
or so the temperature gauge heads to the red line before I turn it
off. I have not let it get into the red but it was touching the red.
Digging in I noticed that the fan was not turning on so I hooked up a
jumper wire to the thermostatic switch coming out of the radiator as
per the service manual. Turned the ignition on and the fan started
right up. So I guess I have a bad thermostatic switch. Has anyone
heard of these switches going bad? I haven't been able to turn up any
references on google searches or the forums. Does anyone know if this
switch is interchangeable with another elite like the ch80 or ch250
or any other bike for that matter? If so I saw a ch250 radiator on
eBay. I could snag that and pull the switch out for my ch150.

I'm not sure if other parts of the cooling system might be bad. My
first guess was that the cooling system wasn't bled properly and I had
some trapped air causing blockages. But my uneducated guess is that
this isn't the case because the intake hose to the radiator gets
pretty hot. The radiator sides (but not the grill) get pretty hot. The
exhaust hose running to the water pump gets warm. After turning the
ignition off some of the coolant gets sucked back into the radiator
from the reservoir tank. I'm guessing that if the coolant was not
pumping through the system the hoses and radiator would stay cool.

So is it likely that the thermostatic switch failure and the radiator
fan not turning on is enough to make my engine overheat? Is this fan
that crucial for cooling things down? I guess I'm wary of sinking too
much money in just to find out that the thermostat or the water pump
are also bad (which I don't know how to determine yet).

Well my brain hurts now. If you read this whole posting then thanks
for your patience. If you have any feedback or comments I would be
very grateful. Regards, Aaron

[Turbo Torch]

Post by elcabesa
So is it likely that the thermostatic switch failure and the radiator
fan not turning on is enough to make my engine overheat? Is this fan
that crucial for cooling things down? I guess I'm wary of sinking too
much money in just to find out that the thermostat or the water pump
are also bad (which I don't know how to determine yet).
Well my brain hurts now. If you read this whole posting then thanks
for your patience. If you have any feedback or comments I would be
very grateful. Regards, Aaron

If the bike is overheating while in motion, you have other problems. Fan is
only needed at idle. Returning to idle for a few minutes after a long high
speed ride on a hot day is the only time my fan will turn on.
It's possible the temp. gauge is giving a bad reading and if the bike isn't
really overheating, the fan thermostatic switch will have no reason to
prove. To test it you'd have to heat it up in water to ~202 degrees and see
if it closes.

If the bike really is overheating, I'd first check the coolant thermostat.
A weak radiator cap will also cause problems. Also make sure you got all
the air out of the system. Rocking the bike back and forth with the cap off
helps.

Pages 16-20 and 16-21 tell how to check the thermostatic switch (for fan)
and the sensor for the gauge.

[meman]

Post by elcabesa
Turned the ignition on and the fan started

right up. So I guess I have a bad thermostatic switch. Has anyone
heard of these switches going bad?<<

Yes, they do go bad (usually not doing regular coolant changes will quicken
it's demise).
But, before condemning it get some de-oxit (or another quality elec contact
cleaner) and clean the connectors. May as well do the same for all the elec
connections and fuses for good measure. Then maybe take out the switch and
clean up the end that goes in the rad as much as you can and try it again.
My 85 ch150 had this problem once, all it needed was the contects cleaned.

change that coolant regularly. I do it once a year but maybe make a max of
once every two yrs.

[elcabesa]

Thanks for the help George and Meman! My CH150 is no longer
overheating. I just did another coolant change and this time rocked
and leaned the bike so that the air bubbles would escape. It was just
a case of not bleeding the cooling system properly.

The fan still doesn't come on but it sounds like it may not be that
critical. If the scoot reaches temps where it should come on and it
doesn't I will perform the prescribed test with the heated coolant and
thermometer.

Also I took the float bowl gasket out of the aftermarket carb I bought
and inserted it into my stock carb. No more fuel leaking and the
engine is actually purring now. I was not expecting this gasket to
make such a big difference in the engine performance.

Well thanks again. As a fledgling mechanic I am grateful for any help
I can get. I'm stoked to be back on a honda scooter after my first one
in 1985 and the second one in 1994.

Best regards, Aaron

Post by elcabesa

Post by elcabesa
Turned the ignition on and the fan started

right up. So I guess I have a bad thermostatic switch. Has anyone
heard of these switches going bad?<<
Yes, they do go bad (usually not doing regular coolant changes will quicken
it's demise).
But, before condemning it get some de-oxit (or another quality elec contact
cleaner) and clean the connectors. May as well do the same for all the elec
connections and fuses for good measure. Then maybe take out the switch and
clean up the end that goes in the rad as much as you can and try it again.
My 85 ch150 had this problem once, all it needed was the contects cleaned.
change that coolant regularly. I do it once a year but maybe make a max of
once every two yrs.

[K***@portermediaonline.com]

Having similar issues after letting the coolant run all the way bone dry. I saw that you said you bleed the coolant and I'm wondering how you did that because if I ride the Honda Elite 150 longer than 15 minutes it just immediately goes to overheating.

[w***@gmail.com]

Bought a 150 about a month ago and just hit my first real issue with it. I have a milky substance in my coolant. I know it is oil but it is funny because the oil is crystal clear in the crank case. the pump itself is definitely circulating water but because oil is entering somewhere it pushes the water out therefore causing a lack of water and a hot engine. I looked at the diagrams of the pump and have a hynes..... Am I right to assume that all I must do is change the main seals? any help is appreciated and please feel free to email me

[R. LaCasse]

Post by w***@gmail.com
Bought a 150 about a month ago and just hit my first real issue with it. I have a milky substance in my coolant. I know it is oil but it is funny because the oil is crystal clear in the crank case. the pump itself is definitely circulating water but because oil is entering somewhere it pushes the water out therefore causing a lack of water and a hot engine. I looked at the diagrams of the pump and have a hynes..... Am I right to assume that all I must do is change the main seals? any help is appreciated and please feel free to email me

I found this on the usenet from way back......

Newsgroups:
alt.scooter,alt.motorcycles.yamaha,alt.motorcycles,rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: milky colored oil

References: <***@uwe> <***@4ax.com>
<***@4ax.com>
<AbJ4i.34776$***@newsreading01.news.tds.net>
<qd-***@comcast.com>

Bob

[R. LaCasse]

Post by w***@gmail.com
Bought a 150 about a month ago and just hit my first real issue with it. I have a milky substance in my coolant. I know it is oil but it is funny because the oil is crystal clear in the crank case. the pump itself is definitely circulating water but because oil is entering somewhere it pushes the water out therefore causing a lack of water and a hot engine. I looked at the diagrams of the pump and have a hynes..... Am I right to assume that all I must do is change the main seals? any help is appreciated and please feel free to email me

I found this on the usenet from way back......

Newsgroups:
alt.scooter,alt.motorcycles.yamaha,alt.motorcycles,rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: milky colored oil

References: <***@uwe> <***@4ax.com>
<***@4ax.com>
<AbJ4i.34776$***@newsreading01.news.tds.net>
<qd-***@comcast.com>

Bob

[g***@gmail.com]

Hi, I have an '85 Honda Elite 150 as well. My ignition switch is broken.I havent been able to find another one of the same year and was wondering if you guys know if another model's ignition switch would work interchangeably.

[m***@gmail.com]

Post by elcabesa
Hello all. Just joined the group after reading the posts for several
weeks. Very informative! This is my third honda scooter (aero 50 and
and elite 80) but the first one I have ever attempted to work on
myself. I am armed only with the service manual, helpful internet
groups such as this one, and small amount of mechical aptitude. I am
learning as I go and its been pretty fun so far.
So... I picked up an '85 Honda Elite CH150 from a family member that
had been sitting for about 3 years. I drained the gas and it wasn't
too varnishy. I removed the carb and gave it a good cleaning. Changed
the engine oil with the Honda GN4. Changed the transmission oil with
Honda GN4. I took off the airbox, cleaned it all out and replaced the
air filter. New spark plug. New battery. Cleaned the drive belt air
cleaner element. Drained the coolant and added the Honda brand 50/50
coolant to the overflow. I ran it for 30 seconds or so with the
radiator cap off to bleed the lines. The scoot started up and I got it
up to 63mph on the inaugural ride. Its idled kinda rough but I was all
smiles. What a blast to be back on two wheels again.
First problem: the gasket between the float bowl and the carb body is
leaking. It looked a little crusty when I inspected it. So rather than
paying $27 for the gasket kit from honda I just spent $65 for a whole
new aftermarket carb from a guy in Miami selling them on Ebay,
manufactured by RUNTONG. I haven't mounted it yet so we'll see how it
works. I figure at least I'll have some backup parts this way. I am
assuming this problem will be resolved soon.
Second problem and where I really need the help: my scooter is
overheating. I takes a little while to overheat but within 10 minutes
or so the temperature gauge heads to the red line before I turn it
off. I have not let it get into the red but it was touching the red.
Digging in I noticed that the fan was not turning on so I hooked up a
jumper wire to the thermostatic switch coming out of the radiator as
per the service manual. Turned the ignition on and the fan started
right up. So I guess I have a bad thermostatic switch. Has anyone
heard of these switches going bad? I haven't been able to turn up any
references on google searches or the forums. Does anyone know if this
switch is interchangeable with another elite like the ch80 or ch250
or any other bike for that matter? If so I saw a ch250 radiator on
eBay. I could snag that and pull the switch out for my ch150.
I'm not sure if other parts of the cooling system might be bad. My
first guess was that the cooling system wasn't bled properly and I had
some trapped air causing blockages. But my uneducated guess is that
this isn't the case because the intake hose to the radiator gets
pretty hot. The radiator sides (but not the grill) get pretty hot. The
exhaust hose running to the water pump gets warm. After turning the
ignition off some of the coolant gets sucked back into the radiator
from the reservoir tank. I'm guessing that if the coolant was not
pumping through the system the hoses and radiator would stay cool.
So is it likely that the thermostatic switch failure and the radiator
fan not turning on is enough to make my engine overheat? Is this fan
that crucial for cooling things down? I guess I'm wary of sinking too
much money in just to find out that the thermostat or the water pump
are also bad (which I don't know how to determine yet).
Well my brain hurts now. If you read this whole posting then thanks
for your patience. If you have any feedback or comments I would be
very grateful. Regards, Aaron

Hey does anyone know the type of radiator cap for a CH150 1985? I would like to buy an aftermarket one or if someone has one and wants to mail it to me in california that would be awesome! thanks!