17 Mountain Cat overheats w/o scratchers

[mtncrawler]

My 17 m8000 can not be run on the groomed trail without scratchers down. Even 10 degrees and 2" fresh I overheat light flashes in short order without scratchers down. A friends identical sled is the same. 2017 M8000 162x3" tracks. Do we have to live with this or is there a solution that doesn't break the bank? Colorado high 11000' should be plenty cold for cooling, how do you other guys deal with this?

 

[kidwoo]

1. ride fresh snow
2. use scratchers

Pick one

Those 3" tracks don't cool on hard snow without constantly spinning it.

 

[sno*jet]

scratches down on the trail is kinda the rule on these 3" sleds. 2" fresh I would still run scratches down on way up the roads in the morning. takes 3" fresh before sliders are contacting the snow. make sure coolant is full.

 

[Dam Dave]

You answered your own question, put the scratchers down on ANY trails

 

[toesmack]

Have a 17MC 163 with the same issues. Only it has a 950 kit in it, so probably even worse. Removed the thermostat and drilled 8 - 3/16" diameter holes around the outer flange to increase coolant flow. Took a chance, but it paid off. Still running scratchers, but that is common in Calif. riding. Using the spring steel scratchers with the flip toggle. Had the cable type, they were a waste of time and money. Pure junk. Running only 50/50 mix coolant instead of our normal 70/30. The 50% coolant mix actually transfers heat better. Also added Water Wetter. All together saw a huge difference. No more uncontrolled overheating. Thermostat is conveniently located at the bottom of the block behind the drive clutch. I mean, what a silly idea to keep it up on top of the head where it has been for many years. After all, who would want that to be a 5 minute job?