Polaris overheated.

[Dale C.]

Hi all. As a newbie to quadding, I was hoping someone has some insight for what occurred to me yesterday. I went riding at south Buck lake, and about 10 minutes into the ride, my display said "HOT", check engine. I let it cool down a while, and the warning went away. One of the other riders said there is a creek that we will be crossing on our journey, and perhaps if there is something clogged up from our previous ride, this would clean it out. Well, we went to that creek, I drove through it a couple of times, and we went on our way. We rode for a few hours, stopping for short breaks. The warning never came on again. I was out at Alder Flats 2 weeks earlier and got quite muddy, but I thought I cleaned it off good. Is it possible that something was clogged up that isn't very accessible during a normal wash, and the creek water cleaned it out?
My quad is a 2006 Polaris 500 sportsman, purchased used about 6 weeks ago, if that helps.
Thank you in advance.
Dale.

 

[OnlyPolaris]

very possible. you my think you have the mad cleaned out but it isn't. next time after you think you have the rad clean remove your fan from the backside and then see how clean it really is.

 

[Open Season]

I have the same bike and I will tell you that you have to keep the rad very clean. Also stop as soon as your unit says it's hot as they have a mechanical seal on the water pump and it will pop if you run hot for very long at all. If you are going to take your fan out then I would suggest cutting the bottom piece of the shroud out so that it dosn't trap mud and stall your fan. I have replaced it aswell.

 

[smkngstv]

we have had 4 polaris quads and i ride a 2010 850 xp,overheating has been a problem on these and other quads we have owned ,to fix it mount the rad on top ,you will never have this problem again

 

[munhoez]

I sorta had the same problem in cadomin, was skeg chewin, with lots of water around, then hit up a dirt road, temp lite came on, the cause of the temp lite was dust stickin to my moist rad, pluggin it rite up, just use the garden hose to backflush ur rad( if accessable with ease.)Have sold a mini water cannon to help flush when out on the prowl for mud.

 

[youngpolarisguy]

I found the worst for us is when you get you rad wet then go drive in sand and dust seems to get in the fins and dry like cement. just keep her clean. only ever overheated the 500 once and thats why. clean you rad and make sure the fan is working to.

 

[rusty]

i agree with all of you... the rad never seems clean enough, if you still have troubles try testing your antifreeze its sg may be low

 

[sumx54]

Most common problem with the Polaris is a dirty rad. Must be cleaned every ride.