'03 RX1 over heating

[polaris87]

Hey, my bud has an 03 RX1 that is over heating. He ran it at 80mph on a nicely groomed trail for about 4 miles and stopped to wait for me. When I got there it was over heating. The heat light came on last week but we blamed it on poor snow conditions. The trails are great going now and its still doing it.

Any suggestions on what to do to get some snow on the coolers? I would think theres plenty on the front one but maybe not enough on the running board coolers. I've seen studs on the back end of the skis to spray up some snow..any one try this? what about some scratchers? Would they dig some snow up to hit the coolers or are they made more for ice and lubricating the hyfax?

Any suggestions would be great!

 

[SMOKNZ]

You will want to make sure that there is not an air bubble in the system. It can be bled by tipping the back of the sled up and opening the bleed screw back by the tail lights (requires the removal of the black plastic around the tail light) If that does not take care of it I would make sure he has the proper mix of antifreeze. I run 50/50, but I believe some guys run closer to 60/40 mix. Last year I had to fill the system up on my sled so I poured straight antifreeze in and was then going to pour the same amount of water in, well the system filled up so fast i couldn't add much water. I had overheating problems them. I ended up draining the system and refilling with the proper mix and it was fine after that. These machines will still overheat if idling for any length of time especially coming off a speed run. There are the RX1 Mountain rear coolers that can be added, or go with an Apex Radiator conversion in the right footwell if you want more cooling.

 

[DV8]

Like was said he most likely has a air bubble in his system and not the right anti-freeze to water ratio, It may take several times to get the air out of the system. after that he should be fine.

 

[polaris87]

ok sounds good! We'll crack the bleader screw and see if theres any air..

How do you go about changing the coolant? Is there a how-to anywheres or is it pretty straight forward. I magine he would like to change it for piece of mind anyway. And make sure it's the proper ratio..

Thanks a lot!

 

[BlueByYou2000]

I would recommend adding a rear cooler to the sled. They will and do overheat in marginal conditions.

 

[rx1mtn]

Yes these sleds will overheat in marginal snow. Install a rear cooler, it will make a big differance. If it has a rear cooler already, make sure the cooling system is full and no air pockets. I know some people run some kind of water wetter additive in their coolant also. Adding ice scratchers will help alot too, also with the sliders.
Good Luck.

 

[dhkr123]

A much simpler upgrade compared to adding in an entire rear cooler is to replace the stock crossover pipe with a piece of 1" COPPER pipe (which you can buy from any decent plumbing store, along with a couple of elbows). The copper will conduct a *LOT* better than the stock painted steel pipe and may suffice for most people. 1" is a little bigger than the stock pipe, but is still small enough that you can get the rubber hoses over it.

 

[jcurrieta]

i find on warmer days i cant let it run and sit parked, my light comes on and if its left too long it will self shut down. anytime i park i shut it off.

 

[Len Todd]

If you are running in hard packed or marginal snow conditions try driving off in the loose snow every minute or so. This will keep your engine cool and the hyfax lubed. If you get stranded on an ice trail, find snow and pack it on the running boards. But, packing snow on the boards does nothing to lube the hyfax. Sometimes, I stop and pack the skid with snow, if I am stranded on a ice trail.