Engine Overheating, Heat Exchangers are cold

[SledsWest]

Went out for a ride today and about a half mile from the truck, my temp light came on and I lost RPM's. Checked the coolant level, and noticed it was very low. My buddy went back to the truck and got some coolant and we filled the reservoir. Started the sled, took it up a hill and it threw the same warning light and went into limp mode. I checked the coolant again and it was all good, checked inside the engine area and no blow outs or leaking hoses. Then we checked the heat exchanger on the tunnel....ICE COLD!! So, I'm assuming I need a new thermostat. Is there anything else that could cause this problem? Blocked hose, gunk in the heat exchanger, etc?? Do these sleds have water pumps (what makes the coolant flow??)

In doing my research on here, I've run across some threads about thermostat deletes and the ET stat. Do the ET's really help keep the sled cooler? Would one of those even help my problem or do I have other problems somewhere in my heat exchangers??

 

[Red-eye]

The coolant doesn't flow to the heat exchangers untill the thermostat opens.

 

[winter brew]

Try elevating the front of the sled and tip it side to side while its running to eliminate any air block.
Did you have something apart to drain coolant or did it just start losing coolant?

 

[xpspenziv]

is there a plug in the case or a pep **** to see if the case is filling up with coolant?

 

[Carlos Randolph]

Plugs

There are 2 plugs in the front of the case/block. They are the the 2 allen head screw/bolts in the block just above where the lower hose goes in the case on the front of the motor. Also 2 plugs located on the mono jug. Look the same as the lowers. One for each cylinder.

With out going out and looking, I am pretty sure you could check for coolant flow by turning on the carb heaters. The run the sled with the cap off, and see if coolant flows through the carb line back to the cap/bottle.

 

[wyobob44]

Is this a brand new sled? my 09 had the same issue, dealer tore into it and found a cap, that apparently came from the factory, that fit perfectly on the thermostat housing, at the suction side of the water pump, inside the hose.

 

[highmark289]

mine did the same thing this weekend. except mine just died. so i left it for awhile went back to try to start it and it fired up and ran i rode it to the truck and it died again. i turned the primary and it was hard to turn over. i checked the coolant and it was a little low add more and rode it again. and its still doing it still have good compression and runs normal rite up to the second it dies.

and ideas?

 

[xpspenziv]

pull plugs and pull cord.look for coolant blowing out.

 

[Seeyacop]

I had the same problem and it ended up being a bad thermostat that was sticking and not opening. Replaced and all has been good ever since.

 

[stalefish_132]

delete the thermostat, sled will run way better without, just gotta warm it up before you rip on it

 

[Yella Belly]

sounds like a stuck stat.
Start it in the yard, and let it warm up, should not take more than 5 min to feel heat on the exchanger, if the stat is the problem, by the time you change it out with a new one from doo ( unless it's warranty) spend the $ for the ET stat and housing. bypass is fully closed at 125 (+-) and the sled will stay at 4 bars ( again 125 (+-) most all day unless you are on real hard pack crap snow conditions. I don't understand why you would want to remove a t-stat as for one, you have to deal with 4 hoses and a housing as the stock unit is molded plastic, and you can not just remove the stat. so you have to buy another housing or make it up with parts from your local sprinkler supply store. It's not housed in a casting on the block.

I had mine stick the same as you 2 weeks ago, and that was enough for me, ET on the way, and the stock housing is going down the road.
http://www.engine-tech.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=48

Just my .03 on the subject.

 

[badass1000]

do a search on doo talk. I got a billet stat houseing from someone on their for around $160 shiped. alot cheaper then the engine tech. it uses a older rev t-stat in the billet houseing.

WOW.... Just looked at engine techs website. I swear they were $280 when they first came out and when I bought the one I got. looks like they have lowered their price alot. Looks like you still have to buy the stat on top of that price. I think mine included the stat for $160 shiped.

 

[SledsWest]

UPDATE: I flushed my coolant (using an air compressor and blowing all the old chit out) and replaced my thermostat. Everything works fine now!! Thanks for the help men.