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

XLT Spartan · 11-16-2012, 07:27 PM

I discovered that the ridge on the top of the plastic reservoir for the cooling system is a bit worn from the cap being turned down. My question is does it matter how tight the pressure cap fits on the bottle? I know there is an overflow hose, so I'm assuming this is not a pressure system that needs to be air tight? My other sleds just have a twist cap. Why is there a pressure cap on the bottle to begin with?

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meburdick · 11-16-2012, 07:53 PM

I could be off base here... But, I believe that your system uses a reservoir bottle that has the main system pressure cap on top. Since that pressure cap ultimately determines how much pressure the whole system is under, it would matter that it is air tight (otherwise, you aren't going to get max heat transfer ability from the coolant).

As I said - might be completely wrong. And, if I am, I'm certain that someone that knows for certain will correct me.

XLT Spartan · 11-16-2012, 08:05 PM

Shoot! If that's the case I might need a new bottle! The plastic top is definitely worn. Anyone have a picture of what the top of the bottle should look like without the cap so I can see how much plastic is missing from the lip?

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meburdick · 11-16-2012, 08:23 PM

If you give me a dollar, I'll get off my lazy butt and take a pic of the one in my 02 500 (same part, I believe).

XLT Spartan · 11-16-2012, 08:36 PM

Check is in the mail Burdick!

That would be awesome if you had a picture. I want to see if the ridge has a slot in it where the cap sits. My bottle may be fine. Otherwise, I'm going to find another type of bottle to look at tonight!

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meburdick · 11-16-2012, 08:43 PM

Try these

XLT Spartan · 11-16-2012, 09:22 PM

That's good! Looks like your ridge has some wear on it too? Any chance you could tell me how thick the ridge is where the cap sits when it's fully twisted on? Thanks again!

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meburdick · 11-16-2012, 09:24 PM

How will I measure the ridge if the cap is on? Not sure what you're asking for...

meburdick · 11-16-2012, 09:51 PM

Wait .... I think I understand.

You want me to measure the thickness of the upper ridge of the bottle at the point where the clips from the cap would rest when the cap is in the "on" position. I don't think that's going to help you... Think about the geometry involved.

What matters, for the purposes of the cap, is the relative distance between the TOP of the area where the rubber washer at the bottom of the cap sits and the BOTTOM of that ridge. Those are the two points that have to be accurate in order to ensure that the cap is able to maintain the appropriate amount of pressure on that rubber washer.

Go back and look at your tank. Is the wear that you're concerned about on the TOP of the ridge? If so, that doesn't factor in to how the cap seals.

XLT Spartan · 11-16-2012, 10:00 PM

It's wear is on the bottom of the ridge. That's why I figured if I can get the vertical thickness from the top to bottom of your ridge and we have the same bottle and cap, I should not have a problem. Sorry i wasn't more clear. Thanks!

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meburdick · 11-17-2012, 07:56 AM

I measured as best I could... It's a little tricky because there's a raised ridge in the middle of the top "ring" of the bottle. I measured from the bottom of that ring to the top of the ridge in the middle as best I could. My calipers showed almost 1/8" (.120). See attached pic.

JheLrey · 11-17-2012, 07:58 AM

I have a used bottle for sale. Had no issues with it or cooling...

XLT Spartan · 11-17-2012, 05:29 PM

All is well!

pressure is good on the cap and the material is still good when it is all the way closed. Measurements are the same. Thanks for doing that Burdick! I really appreciate it!

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wastedincome · 11-20-2012, 11:48 AM

If you notice the neck opening ovaling at all replace the resi'
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polaristech · 11-20-2012, 07:53 PM

If the neck of recovery bottle is worn or ovaled it should be replaced cause it wont make a air tight seal with the cap. If the cap doesnt seal with the neck of bottle you will have a higher chance of overheating. If bottle is warped it will lower the boiling point of the coolant and will overheat. Bottle is about $30 i think. Seen it alot on those sleds

XLT Spartan · 12-06-2012, 01:49 PM

So today I went out and started the sled. I noticed coolant leaking from the belly pan. I narrowed down that it is coming from the overflow hose on the bottle. It had stopped by the time i spotted it. Is there a reason why this may have happen? It's like I had a pressure surge when I started it. The fluid was up to the line on the bottle cold. Should I be looking at the coolant level when it's warm instead?

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meburdick · 12-06-2012, 02:58 PM

Here's what the bottle looks like on mine... if you look closely, I believe you can see the coolant level.

XLT Spartan · 12-06-2012, 03:01 PM

Is that warm or cold?

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meburdick · 12-06-2012, 03:05 PM

"Very" cold (sled hasn't been run in over a week) and had been on the trailer that whole time. Temps here dropped into the lower 20's overnight last night but came back up into the high 30's today.

XLT Spartan · 12-06-2012, 04:39 PM

So I did confirm that the coolant is coming out the overflow. It did it again when I started it. Can anyone confirm where the cold level should be on the bottle? Just want to make sure it's just not too full to start.

Hoses are warm and so are the heat exchangers.

My other thought is that the pressure cap is not doing the job it is supposed to do. Could be due to the lip on the bottled. Thoughts?

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