96' Indy Ultra SP coolant problem... - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Pylon 00 · 11-07-2012, 02:37 PM

I just bought a 96' Indy Ultra SP... When I bought it, it fired up and ran fine. After sitting for a few weeks, I went to start it up to move it into the trailer and it would't fire up right away. After a bunch of pulls it finally fired up. While I was letting it run for a little bit I noticed antifreeze running out of the exhaust port. Not dripping, but flowing out.

I'm guessing its a bad head gasket, but I was checking to see if there is any common problems with this type of sled motor.

Any help is greatly appreciated.... Thanks

Ultrafrozen · 11-07-2012, 07:51 PM

Can't say if this is your problem but as far as I know, that engine has a gear driven water pump that can leak into the crankcase when the pump seals fail. There is an oil reservoir used to lubricate the pump that must be kept full of oil. From what one Polaris mechanic told me, they would need rebuilding on a regular basis. The 1997 version eliminated the oil reservoir and lubed from crankcase gas/oil and this fixed the problem.

You can check out parts diagrams here: http://parts.polarisind.com/Browse/Browse.asp

Pylon 00 · 11-24-2012, 08:41 PM

UPDATE

Well, I am still out of town for work, so I haven't been able to investigate the issue.

I had a friend take a look at it and the head is cracked.

replacing the head isn't that big of a deal, but what would have caused it to crack like that?

**BC_Dan** · 11-24-2012, 09:57 PM

wow. Any evidence of piston damage? Looks like something got in the way of the piston...

budweisr33 · 11-24-2012, 10:02 PM

No piston damage. cylinder walls have a nice crosshatch pattern with no nick's or gouges.
Spark plugs are physically in good condition.
Pic's are of middle cylinder.

Pylon 00 · 11-24-2012, 10:10 PM

FYI... budweiser33 is the one that is working on the sled in MI while I am away at work.

budweisr33 · 11-26-2012, 03:29 PM

I suspect cylinder was hydro locked causing the dome to crack.

joshkidner · 11-26-2012, 05:22 PM

if no other damage is spotted just replace the head. this would perfectlyb explain why its coming out the exaust, it comes into the combustion chamber and runs right out.

Pylon 00 · 11-27-2012, 07:13 PM

Well, the good news is, I found a used head here locally for $25.

The bad news is, the guy said chances are very good that I damaged the crank.

I am hoping that isn't that case. I'll be checking it out with a dial indicator tomorrow....

Pylon 00 · 12-01-2012, 10:18 AM

UPDATE

Well, we got it all back together and running. It doesn't seem like the crank is "out of phase" but I really won't be able to tell for sure until I can get it out in some snow.

Pylon 00 · 12-01-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultrafrozen

Can't say if this is your problem but as far as I know, that engine has a gear driven water pump that can leak into the crankcase when the pump seals fail. There is an oil reservoir used to lubricate the pump that must be kept full of oil. From what one Polaris mechanic told me, they would need rebuilding on a regular basis. The 1997 version eliminated the oil reservoir and lubed from crankcase gas/oil and this fixed the problem.

You can check out parts diagrams here: Browse

Thanks for the heads up. We removed the water pump and inspected it. Looked to be in good shape. Refilled it with fresh oil after it was re-installed.

Pylon 00 · 12-01-2012, 10:34 AM

So I am still curious as to why the cylinder hydro locked in the first place. The guy I bought the head from said that it could have been from a bad needle & seat in the carb, that allowed the cylinder to fill up with fuel.

I took the carbs apart and there didn't seem to be any issues. (They were extremely clean) I replaced all the needles & seats just to be sure. But I don't think this was the cause.

When we pulled the cylinders off, the base gaskets had some sort of silicone or rtv on them. They ripped apart during removal of the cylinder. I am thinking that there may have been a leak in one of the water passages and that caused the issue.

**BC_Dan** · 12-01-2012, 10:45 AM

The only time I have hydrolocked a piston was on an old Prowler 440. The needle/seat did not seal and filled one of the cylinders with gas. I couldn't pull it over to start it. Does your sled have electric start? It's possible that gas in the cylinder could cause that damage with the torque from an E-start acting on the crank. It's also possible that you had a head gasket or base gasket leak. Liquids don't compress very well, do they. Either way, hope you get it running soon. Snow is coming!

Pylon 00 · 12-01-2012, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC_Dan

The only time I have hydrolocked a piston was on an old Prowler 440. The needle/seat did not seal and filled one of the cylinders with gas. I couldn't pull it over to start it. Does your sled have electric start? It's possible that gas in the cylinder could cause that damage with the torque from an E-start acting on the crank. It's also possible that you had a head gasket or base gasket leak. Liquids don't compress very well, do they. Either way, hope you get it running soon. Snow is coming!

I have it all back together.... (pull start btw) The snow can't get here soon enough.....