Fan vs liquid cooled - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

mmrosshere · 02-04-2007, 03:24 AM

I don't understand why do they still make fan cooled sleds? Why would anybody perfer a fan cooled? I must be missing something.

mmSeven · 02-04-2007, 07:04 AM

I guess cause they are cheaper... and maybe since some of the wives and kids don't need a lot of power there is still a market for em...

**smallengineguy** · 02-04-2007, 07:42 AM

1) Lighter
2) Can run them in warmer weather
3) Simpler design

JDS · 02-04-2007, 08:09 AM

What SEG said. My brother-in-law and I were riding in Wyoming earlier this season. When we were in deep snow, his fan cooled machine had problems, but when we were running on hard packed trails my liquid cooled machine got a little hot and I'd have to run off into the deeper stuff constantly.

kccats · 02-04-2007, 08:34 AM

Fans and free airs have been around forever! but, They are being phased out! When was the last free air you saw? It's the EPA that will kill the fan!

**RJ Gleason** · 02-04-2007, 08:37 AM

Demand for the free air and fan cooled sleds has gone away. Most people prefer the power that a liquid provides and don't mind the weight gain that goes with it.

TIC · 02-04-2007, 09:48 PM

Are you kidding?.. My wifes 03' 550mxzfan is an awesome sled... When I have to pull over because I don't have enough snow on the heat exchangers she keeps going. The engine has loads of torque and for trail riding you'd never even use all the power it has to offer. Low snow conditions, light weight... that sled has a lot to offer

**RJ Gleason** · 02-05-2007, 09:50 AM

What I was saying is, that demand in general for fan and free air engines has diminished greatly. The power that you get from a same size liquid cooled engine is generally greater in comparison.
That's not to say that there are applications where the air cooled engine is at an advantage when compared to the configuration of the modern liquid cooled engine sled.

One case is the workhorse machines that pull heavy loads and at slow speeds. Example; A sled that pulls a trail groomer.

72TNTSkidoo · 02-05-2007, 10:26 AM

What I cant understand is how they haven't designed a liquid cooled motor that cant stay on a trail without over heating, thats more confusing than them still make fan cooled snowmobiles. I had an uncle that trapped my dad into a conversation about how they couldn't make it back to the lodge because there $10,000 sleds were over heating. really ridiculous

**RJ Gleason** · 02-05-2007, 10:36 AM

Actually, when the liquids were first being built, they used a variety of radiator types.The heat exchanger that was cooled by the snow was the most efficient. Some used a automotive type radiator that was cooled by the air going through it. If you sat too long, it would heat up as there was no fan to move the air when stationary. Also, the radiator type was vulnerable to getting punctured by branches and other debris and would also clog when in deep powder.

tamacat · 02-05-2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIC

Are you kidding?.. My wifes 03' 550mxzfan is an awesome sled... When I have to pull over because I don't have enough snow on the heat exchangers she keeps going. The engine has loads of torque and for trail riding you'd never even use all the power it has to offer. Low snow conditions, light weight... that sled has a lot to offer

I agree. Not all women like that raw power of a liquid. My wife is scared to death of my F7.Fans are great for beginners also!!

mx and sled 41 · 02-05-2007, 10:42 AM

i have a parts sled, (91 RXL 650) and it has a rad in the front nose cone... and a heat exchanger infront of the track... would that not be the best of both worlds? why dont many sleds have this?

upersleder · 02-05-2007, 10:50 AM

the fans have their place. but i do think now people who buy fan sleds get ripped off. for the cheaper simpler motor and all the extra stuff not on the sled they do not save all that much money.

kccats · 02-05-2007, 11:18 AM

I don't understand the overheating isues? Most of my sleds are liquid and I can't remember one overheating on the trails? I've stopped along the trails and yes they will put off some steam/ smoke, but they aren't over heating!! And I've been known to push my sleds harder than they can go!!

grouly925 · 02-05-2007, 11:28 AM

I have only had my F7 overheat once, during 35° riding temps, but I think even once is too much. They can make motorcycles and huge fourwheeler engines that run cool enough even when it is 80°+ out, you would think they could come up with something different for snowmobiles. I say all of this because I am one person that has been plagued with stud into heat exchanger issues over my snowmobiling lifetime. Fan cooled sleds are great for ice fisherman and those types who may ride in low snow conditions often. Now, if they could only make slides that would last forever.

upersleder · 02-05-2007, 11:34 AM

i dont know about the overheating thing either. i have a 03 REV, if you listen to the guys on dootalk everyone has a problem, I DONT! i'm fine, my sleds fine, i ride in low snow conditions, hard pack, ice, i dont overheat. i push hard also, i cant imagine someone overheating all the time. as for slides, brake them in properly, i have almost 7000 miles on my slides and i just bought a new set, but i didnt put them on yet because i can get more out of the ones i have.

G.T · 02-05-2007, 11:36 AM

I love my 07 550 x fan to bits my sled only weighs in at 435! now that has got to be an advantage for a start. Yes they are normally louder than a liquid cooled motor, yes there power delivery depends on how warm it is, but my MXZ 670 h/o has been over heating trying to keep up with this fan with the small amount of snow we have had it's over heating. Bring on the fan

tamacat · 02-05-2007, 12:09 PM

If you ride on joint use roads with minimal snow kicking up on the heat exchangers, you'll overheat!!! Just gotta take a dive in the deeper snow every so often and you're fine. Thats what happens with my F7.

mx and sled 41 · 02-05-2007, 12:17 PM

my girlfriends 03 700 classic never over heated when we were road running yesterday with almost no snow on the roads... i was worried that it would... but nothing at all happened...

SnowBunny550 · 02-05-2007, 03:44 PM

I have to say, I've been pretty happy with my fan-cooled 550.

Until I got comfortable enough to go fast.

Like a girl, I chose my sled because I loved how it looked compared to the black one sitting next to it that was liquid-cooled. I'm regretting that just a bit this year.

That being said, we've also NEVER had problems with my sled in any temperature - she's run well in 50 degree days and in negative-20 nights. Can't necessarily say the same for the operator.