[derek s]

I have a 2002 ZL800 and it has about 3000 miles on it. I was running fine up to today when i adjusted my track and went for a ride, the temp lite keeps coming on. This is the first time this has happened . Its very icey here today and the groomed trails are real hard would this cause the machine to run hot. Thanks.

 

[puree]

whats the outside temperature??? what adjustment did you do to your track??? last but not least, any chance you have a bad wire in your temp sensor (grounding out) and causing the temp light to come on???

 

[63November]

Liquid cooled machines are actually "snow cooled" - that's what takes most of the heat from the heat exchangers that is. L/C machines will overheat even at deep sub-zero temps if ther isn't enough snow or it is too hard to throw up. Secondary cooling comes from air moving over the engine. Obviously a L/C is not nearly as good at ridding itself of heat this way as is a fan engine. It also depends on plenty of air speed which can be aided by the right wind, but impeded by the wrong wind. The track also makes wind in the tunnel with enough speed and big enough paddles. Of course it also helps if there is a lot of heat exchanger surface in the tunnel. Studs can help turn ice or hard snow into useful dust sometimes. Enough speed to throw it is important though.

 

[derek s]

whats the outside temperature??? what adjustment did you do to your track??? last but not least, any chance you have a bad wire in your temp sensor (grounding out) and causing the temp light to come on???[/b]

Its around 14C here today. I tightned the track up to around 1" of slack when you pull down on the track . I am thinking this may be to tight . The snow conditions are very hard and not much snow flying in tunnell so this may cause the temp to rise.

 

[63November]

Your tighter track will make the engine work just a bit harder. If your slides are getting sticky - maybe hard to feel with 800 ccs - that will also work the engine. (Do you smell plastic when you run?) Your situation sounds awfully familiar to me; it's exactly why I'm not too fond of the liquids (even though their power is nice when they can cool adequately.)

 

[puree]

I have had liquids run hotter when it is warmer outside and run cooler when it is cooler outside, that is a fact. As for the hard packed snow,,, if your not throwing a fair amount of it up into the tunnel, you very well may not be getting enough snow up there to keep it cool.

 

[NewfieBullet]

With the conditions you're describing it's certainly a case of lack of snow on the heat exchangers. All you can do in a situation like that is try and get off on the side as much as possible, drive more aggressively to strip up snow, and try and skid on the hard pack on occasion to break through the crust. It's very common, and nothing to worry about, as long as you take steps to control it.

 

[derek s]

With the conditions you're describing it's certainly a case of lack of snow on the heat exchangers. All you can do in a situation like that is try and get off on the side as much as possible, drive more aggressively to strip up snow, and try and skid on the hard pack on occasion to break through the crust. It's very common, and nothing to worry about, as long as you take steps to control it.[/b]

 

[derek s]

Just got back from trip to the bowl in back of Bonne Bay and noticed your reply and the picture. It looks almost like its around Pasenda area. Anyway its great going here now and we are going just about every day. Thanks for rely.

 

[billww]

Your track is to tight , It will not be for long as it will start to burn down the slides and lc do need snow to cool , also a tight track will lose speed. check coolnt too.

 

[Alberta Buffalo]

When riding on icy or hard packed trails it is very easy to over heat. Add some ice scratchers to your sled to put down when these conditions exist. Sled will run much cooler.

Check the SLP (Starting Line Products) site for information. There are other manufactures with similar of different syles.

You need snow or ice dust being thrown up onto the coolers by the action of the track in order to cool your heat exchangers.

Your track is also too tight. The correct adjustment is 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches measured from the bottom of the slide rail to the top of the track at mid-point of the span with 20 pounds of pull.

If you have an accurate fish scale it works great for pulling down on the track to get the 20 pounds.