An interesting day today. Send my motorcycle for major service, after clocking more than 20,000 kilometers. Estimated time for major service, 2 days. Last week, complained that the bike was making some harsh noise, but the attending mechanic says, there was nothing wrong. Today, they found the gear ball bearings were not in good condition. Need to be replaced. And… they might change the recalled valve for free! Last week, they told me they cant!

So, I have to drive my Rexton 290 to work today. It was having overheating problems when I on the air conditioning unit. So, drove to work with no air conditioning. I am cool.

Done with work, was on my way to my next appointment for the evening. Just as I went out of Putrajaya, the car heat indicator just went up to the maximum. Had to stop at the nearest RnR. Checked the fan, ok. Water, ok. Wiring, looks ok. Still overheating. Decided to cancel all my evening appointments, and will try to go home. That was about 6 30 pm.

Slowly tried to make my way back home. Had to stopped a few times to cool the engine. I rested the engine at least about 30 to 45 minutes every time I stopped. But the engine when up the red line so fast that I only managed to drive about 1 or 2 kilometers.

Now, this is very interesting! What do you think is causing the overheating?

As I was contemplating to find a safe place to put the Rexton for the night, an Indian man, stopped and offered to help me. It was already about 9 15 pm. I was very near to Angkasapuri. He asked what was my problem? Told him, overheating. So he requested to check under the hood. I politely declined his offer. He was adamant, insist that he is a mechanic, and my problem is due to the radiator plugged.

So, I decided to show him what is so interesting! I on the engine, and showed him with a torchlight that the car is not overheating….. but as soon as I turn on the headlights, the temperature began to rise! So I asked him, as a mechanic, what was his opinion? He answered, my radiator was plugged! I explained to him, if my radiator is plugged, it will overheat, no matter if my headlights is on or off!

Very interesting indeed! To all Rexton 290 owners do you have this problem??? For the past six years, I owned this Rexton, due to overheating problem, I had done 1 major engine overhaul, and twice I exchanged the engine itself!! After spending nearly RM 30 K, I thought I found the issue. I thought it was the thermostat!!!!

But….

If it was the thermostat, why does the temperature rises when I on the headlights??? I can understand, it can overheat the engine, if we on the air conditioning, but not the headlights!

And so, I asked my new found friend, the now so puzzled Indian mechanic, can he get me a brand new auto battery? With great confident and authority, he answered, he can get anything, as his “sifu” ( a greater mechanic than he is) works 24 hours a day.

To cut the story short, a new battery was installed. By about 10 45 pm I was home. With the air conditioning fully blast, headlights and fog lights on, and amazingly, the engine did not overheat! Anyone, can explain why? Someone want to guess how I came up with the interesting solution to an interesting issue?

Personal Note: Life is great, it is so interesting. When I think I have seen it all, actually, there are so many things that I have not!