First, Is there any way to find out if your temp gauge is working correctly? Second how hard is it to change the thermostat and replace the water pump? is it something I can do alone? w/o a shop? I'm very mechanically inclined. And last is it expensive to do the water pump and thermostat if I do it myself?

 

im in the middle of changing my thermostat its pretty easy but.... its kind of hard to get to the thermostat cover without taking the trothle bbody of. i used one of those 45 degree angle wratched and i got it off take housing of then take thermostat out and replace remember to put it back the same way with the litlle breather hole towards the back and put everything back toghether as you took it off. i paid 37 $ for the thermostat. water pump dont look that hard to change either but i never took one off. hope this helps. my bike is and 01 f4i . as for the temp gauge i guess you can manualy plug one in pull wires next to the speddo tape it temporarly and see if its any different. ohh and whenyou put coolant back in fill the radiator leave cap off rock the bike side to side start bike open trothle a couple of times then add some more coolant if it went down.

 

put the sensor in boiling water? check for 212 or thereabouts.

edit: These things are pretty rugged, why do you think you need one?

 

when the water pump fails, it'll start to weep coolant or whatever you have in there from a weep hole.

is there any reason why you would think it's busted?

it's very easy to replace. just drain coolant, remove hoses, remove bolts and pull out. you will want to drain some of the oil or all of it out as it's shaft does sit in oil so when you remove it, oil will come pouring out.

 

My bikes been ruinning really hot, the other day I was going about 45-50, wasn't even that hot maybe 75 out, and my temp gauge started to flash and the red light also and the temp was above 250, scared teh crap out of me, and lately its been running really hot like I can feel it under my legs, normally it doesn't run that hot. And when the fan comes on it doesnt do anything.