Cooling system - Xc Sp 600 - Page 2 - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

meburdick · 12-06-2012, 08:02 PM

If it were mine, I would try the following...

- Get the front end up in the air and run the sled to warm it up. Make sure that there isn't any air in the system.
- Verify that the coolant isn't over-filled.
- Find someone with a known good cap and borrow theirs to test on my sled, and maybe try mine on theirs.

Does it do it only on startup and then it doesn't do it again? Literally only pushes out the coolant when the motor turns over?

XLT Spartan · 12-06-2012, 08:37 PM

The coolant is coming out during the initial warm up period and then stops. Takes a minute or two to start coming out.

I've been thinking about how the system works and I think I'm comparing it to my my xlt's with the overflow tank.

Can someone explain how the bottle/pressure cap works on the xc? Is it meant to fill to the top when hot? And if the system exceeds 13 psi it will overflow?

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polaristech · 12-06-2012, 08:37 PM

I'm guessiing u are losing coolant out the rocovery bottle cause the system isn't keeping pressure. If it was actually overheating u would have an overheat light. Willing to bet money its bottle neck being warped or the threads on the bottle that are messed up. Personally have replace multiple coolant bottle cause of this issue. Could possibly be the cap but u can get the cap pressure tested to make sure it holds to the specified pressure. If the system cant hold pressure, like the cap not sealing with the bottle properly the boiling point of the coolant will be greatly reduce causing the coolant to come out the recovery bottle hose before an overheat.

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polaristech · 12-06-2012, 08:55 PM

The cap and bottle hold pressure in the system. In the case of an actual overheat in the system the coolant temperature and pressure climbs. Once the pressure exceeds a certain limit the pressure cap spring gives and relieves pressure in the system causing coolant to come out the recovery hose. That Is why the cap and bottle seal is so important. If they can't seal together the boiling point of the coolant drops causing the coolant to blow past the cap before an overheat. And yes if the system exceeds 13 psi coolant will come out, also the coolant should be filled to the line when cool and the level will actually drop a little as the engine warms up and pressure increases. If u were to remove the cap when the system is pressurized the level will come back up.
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XLT Spartan · 12-06-2012, 09:21 PM

Thanks PTech! That is a great explanation and sound like it summarizes what is happening. The top of the bottle was a little suspect! It is not warped, but the underside of the top ridge where the cap sits is worn. Can you tell me if the coolant bottle should be filled to to top when hot on the liberty engine or if there should be some air between the coolant ant top of bottle? Just want to be sure I understand what should be happening since mine is not working right.

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polaristech · 12-06-2012, 09:23 PM

Fill it to the line when cold. Usually about two to three inchesbelow the cap

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XLT Spartan · 12-07-2012, 08:11 AM

I'm going to replace the bottle and cap tomorrow and hopefully be done with the problem.

I haven't had to bleed the cooling system on a sled before. Can you guys help me on what I need to do? Thanks!

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meburdick · 12-07-2012, 08:35 AM

Basically, you do what I wrote... Lift the front and run it until it warms up. Allow motor to cool. Add coolant as necessary. Repeat until system is full.

XLT Spartan · 12-07-2012, 08:56 AM

Thanks

So there isn't a bleeder screw somewhere?

Is it possible I have a bad thermostat?

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wastedincome · 12-07-2012, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XLT Spartan

Thanks

So there isn't a bleeder screw somewhere?

Is it possible I have a bad thermostat?

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There is a bleeder screw on head where the thermostat is

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XLT Spartan · 12-07-2012, 11:50 AM

So I did a little research on the site and found a very old thread with a similar issue. I will definitely check the bottle and cap, but it sounds like it could also be a bad o ring or gasket allowing exhaust into the system. I'm going to pull the plugs to see if there is any antifreeze in there. Could also be a bad thermostat not opening. Will check that too.

BC Dan was on that post. BC, any thoughts?

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XLT Spartan · 12-07-2012, 05:07 PM

So after all this I think the problem was the pressure cap. The tabs on the cap were bent out a bit. Squeezed them with the pliers, seems to be good. Will know for sure tomorrow when I go to start it. Fingers crosses!

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XLT Spartan · 12-08-2012, 03:09 PM

So it's not leaking coolant out of the overflow any longer. So I ran the sled for a bit. After running for about 5-10 minutes the temp light comes on when I rev it, not when at idle. Then it started running bad. Is it because is about 45 degrees out? Any thoughts on what is happening?

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XLT Spartan · 12-08-2012, 05:47 PM

Here is everything that's been done
- checked thermostat (working)
- water pump - have coolant flowing into the coolant bottle in a steady stream from the head until the thermostat opens.
- Bled the system.
- Both heat exchangers are warm.

Temperatures outside is between 40 and 45 degrees. I am running the sled for probably 10 to 15 minutes. The temp light is not on when idling, only when I rev the engine after running for a while.

My question: Am I running the engine too long for the outside temp and not having any snow coming up on the heat exchangers causing the temp light to come on? Or could this be something else?

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meburdick · 12-09-2012, 07:07 AM

If, when the temp light comes on, the heat exchangers are "hot" (not just warm), then you're definitely overheating the motor.

The air temp is well above what that motor is jetted and adjusted for, so it will run less than optimal. If you're also overheating the motor, you're exacerbating the issue.

wastedincome · 12-10-2012, 11:53 AM

Be sure to bleed the system 3-5 times allowing to cool down in between. bleeding is a pita and air often gets trapped at the rear cross over hose un the rear seat. I would never run mine more then 5min max at those air temps and no snow. Does your sled have m10 suspension???

XLT Spartan · 12-10-2012, 03:05 PM

It has the edge suspension.

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