What is everyone doing for a water temp gauge on an M8
- Thread starter kidrman
- Start date
For a simple temp gauge I like the TTO stuff from Trail TECH CLICK HERE...
They have different sensor options with the unit.
About $39 - $45 depending on sensor.
Weatherproof
Small and VERY readable.
They have different sensor options with the unit.
About $39 - $45 depending on sensor.
Weatherproof
Small and VERY readable.
X
xTapouTx
New member
That looks like a great, simple and cheap solution!!
Ok so temp reading and sensors 101 please.
Which sensor methodology and adapter would you use? I'll be honest I've never installed one until I bought a 2011 M8 and realized it didn't come with one.
I would assume you would want coolant temp more than anything but please enlighten me.
Ok so temp reading and sensors 101 please.
Which sensor methodology and adapter would you use? I'll be honest I've never installed one until I bought a 2011 M8 and realized it didn't come with one.
I would assume you would want coolant temp more than anything but please enlighten me.
I put a KOSO water temp gage on mine, I believe it was the 28mm sensor on the coolent line that comes from the motor into the rear coolers. You can access this line by tipping the sled on its side and taking the belly pan cover off.
I have the motor out of the sled right now, I can take pics if you need it. Just snip about 1" out of the hose and you should be good.
With that said however, I have never seen this sled get over about 130 degrees with scratchers down or in any kind of fresh snow .... the M's have pretty good cooling on them.
I do agree that its a pet peeve they have a water temp sensor and no readout for it on the MFD, but if I had to do it again I probably wouldn't bother with it.
i like the koso...the guage and hose adapter kit..the guage gives far better warning..something i find invaluable
X
xTapouTx
New member
Well I'm not completely sold on the gauge but I can tell you why I'm contemplating one.
Heat is a big killer of engines, belts, electronics...etc. You never know when or even why your sled might overheat.
Quick story about my RMK, I was flying through a valley and hit a dead tree. A branch off the tree went through the front of my sled and actually hit hard enough to pull my radiator hose off the radiator. Now I didn't know it as I hit stuff all the time and didn't hear anything abnormal with this little branch so I kept riding. After ripping through a few more trees and back down into the valley I glanced to see my speed and noticed my temp was at 210. I knew something was wrong so I stopped and realized I didn't have any coolant. I then found the stick and the hose pointing right out the bottom of the sled where I was missing a vent. It was dumping it right on the snow so I never smelt it burning. It would have been just a matter of time before something got too hot and gave out on me. That's if I didn't have a temp gauge.
Now I'm no glorified mechanic but I could only imagine that a water pump could stop working for any number of reasons and cause this same problem. Or even a rider mistake like riding on hard packed trail for a good amount of time and forgetting to put his scratchers down.
For me it's really just another precaution and peace of mind while out in the middle of nowhere. Compared to most of the things us riders buy as a peace of mind $40 is pennies.
Xtap... I see what you're saying, but we've got two levels of temp warnings on the M8 as well, I BELIEVE 190, then 210? (solid, then flashing)
I actually wonder though, if a temp gauge would help give an idea when you'd be safe from hot start issues on a turbo?
I've never seen a temp light, but in summer riding have had a hot start issue about 5 times, I wonder if there's a particular threshold below the over heat sensor where you could look down & know that you need to be under?
I don't think temp sensor is a bad idea exactly, but I don't, for most applications, see a purpose for them on our sleds.
btw, pennies yes... about 4000 of them
I actually wonder though, if a temp gauge would help give an idea when you'd be safe from hot start issues on a turbo?
I've never seen a temp light, but in summer riding have had a hot start issue about 5 times, I wonder if there's a particular threshold below the over heat sensor where you could look down & know that you need to be under?
I don't think temp sensor is a bad idea exactly, but I don't, for most applications, see a purpose for them on our sleds.
btw, pennies yes... about 4000 of them
Xtap... , I BELIEVE 190, then 210? (solid, then flashing)
i think 170 then 190..
we are talking sleds here buddy...you take your foul mouth cr@p to fouled plug
W
W A O
Well-known member
temp sensor
I carry a raidiant heat gun on me in my pack now it will not give you the exact temp of the coolaint water but will tell you if you are warm enough to ride or to warm and I use it for clutch temps as well. When you get used to how far off the gun is to actual water temp its a good tool to have, and no install to it and about 80 bucks. And to help get your money worth out of it works great for teasing the dog to. lol.
I carry a raidiant heat gun on me in my pack now it will not give you the exact temp of the coolaint water but will tell you if you are warm enough to ride or to warm and I use it for clutch temps as well. When you get used to how far off the gun is to actual water temp its a good tool to have, and no install to it and about 80 bucks. And to help get your money worth out of it works great for teasing the dog to. lol.
You can get an IR thermometer for $30 at home depot.
The one I have (ryobi POS) seems to be accurate to a few degrees... good enough for me.
The one I have (ryobi POS) seems to be accurate to a few degrees... good enough for me.
the sno pro guage is capable of showing water temp. just hold the 2 small buttons down for 20 seconds, the lower guage will flash then scroll down to (i think) #3 and it will show water temp.
