Overheating 2007 Polaris 500

[DeepMudder]

I have overheated both of my bikes now, the last time my rad didn't seem that plugged. I designed a splash guard from lexan and installed it on the first bike that overheated and haven't seemed to have any more problems. his weekend I went in a poker ride, and overheated my second bike. When on the trail I checked my rad and it didn't seem that bad, but was crossing some pretty deep holes. Does anyone think that by just installing a splash guard that it might be enough to keep the thick mud away from the rad, not completely of course, or is there something wrong with my cooling system. The bikes in general seem to run hot. Is the thermostat a quick fix?

DeepMudder

 

[sledderdoc]

That seems to be the fix installing some type of shield. Buddy had the same issue and used a crazy carpet cut to fit and the problem has never come back. Btw. the rad may look clean but it has to be spotless to perform. :d

 

[leonard]

tbh the rad can look clean and still be plugged .. pull off the front bumper and you will see it alot better. good bet that its plugged worse than you thought because thats usually how rads are. they look ok but are plugged solid.

 

[DeepMudder]

Thanks....how much of the rad can be covered over? On my first shield I allowed just enough space to get the screen guard out. Could I cover the whole thing with a removable piece with holes in it.

DeepMudder

 

[sledderdoc]

Thanks....how much of the rad can be covered over? On my first shield I allowed just enough space to get the screen guard out. Could I cover the whole thing with a removable piece with holes in it.

DeepMudder

My buddy actually put his in the wheel well behind the shock etc and basically covered acess to the engine. He left the very front alone and just cleans it well after each ride. Seems to work and his is a 500 too.

 

[gr8tdragon]

A trick I learned from another rider is to use scrubbing bubbles on the rad after you have the big stuff off of it. Works like a charm. Rad is so shiney you can eat off of it. Cheap too as only takes about half bottle to do.:d Other then that take the time after the muskeg hole to clean out the fan and you'll be alright for good day of riding.

 

[leonard]

the front comes off those popo's so easy id just take it off every 5th or so ride and wash it really good .. and then just do regular rad washes in with the grill on between those 5 or so rides. and you should be good. usually it takes awhile for it to plug solid like that.

have a bike that does that as well and thats how we manage it. wash it best we can and then every 5th or 6th ride we pop the front off and clean it right out.

 

[leonard]

oh and i'm not sure id use cleaning supply's on a rad .. i mean by all means you can if you like but aluminum is easily eaten by any mild acid. I cleaned melted aluminum off a crank shaft with mild acid and there was like 3mm worth of alum welded to it and it ate it off in like 2 min flat.

 

[BigRed800]

I have a 800 and it overheated all the time the only way to make sure it was clean was to take it out while i had it out the neighbor came by took a look and said i can build a box for the stock rad and the rest is history bolted to the top rack no more overheating did the wifes 500 no problems

 

[arff]

You can get a automotive rad wash wand that hooks to a garden hose or trailer spray outlet.
It is about 2 feet long and sprays out at 90 degrees to the metal shaft.
I just slide it in along rad it seems to work.
The shaft is about the size of your finger.

 

[DeepMudder]

Can you tell me more about your box that you used

DeepMudder