2008 Phazer Radiator steaming - help please!

[Mooseman315]

We've been riding the Phazer pretty hard this season and when out on the lake, we'll get the overheat light. When we back off, it would go off. This happened a handful of times and then finally the light didn't go off, then POP and a lot of the fluid drained out.

Thermostat is on backorder, however I have replaced the cap and pulled the radiator out and run water through it. Added a bunch of fluid and bled until fluid comes out of the bleed port. The radiator is hot to the touch (can only put my fingers on the top of the radiator for a few moments - the antifreeze lines in and out are pretty warm as well. Video below.

It seems like the fluid is circulating (added fluid, it went down, did it again basically until it bled in).

Can anyone give me an idea of what I should be looking at? I'm new to the cooling repair. If the thermostat was stuck, I don't really understand why the radiator would be steaming.

Thanks!

 

[Mooseman]

What does the steam smell like? It might just be residual water or coolant evaporating from the outside surface of the radiator.

Where is your fan??? By 2008, they all had them. If it was just removed for the repairs, reinstall it and see if it comes on while idling and cools it down until it stops again.

You should install a temp gauge.

Temp gauge install

I installed this gauge and used a hose adapter that worked very well. I like this gauge because it has both temp and voltage even though it is in Celsius and there is Chinese writing on it (I have no idea what it says). Before installing, I checked which radiator hose to use to ensure I...

ty4stroke.com

 

[Mooseman315]

So I traced it further and think it is coming from the tunnel cooler. Between that, and needing a new track - I'm calling it.
And it might be an '07, there's no radiator fan. Thank you for the help!

 

[Mooseman]

You should definitely look into retrofitting a fan onto it. There should be some used ones available or check with Barn of Parts. Won't be a full retrofit to have it controlled by the ECU unless you also want to replace the whole wiring harness. A switch and relay would work. Check to see if there is a wire and plug taped up in the harness near the radiator in case it's there as there were some rumours that some had the wiring but no fan.

2007 phazer rad fan install

My base model 2007 phazer does not have a rad fan or the yellow wiring connector. I will be purchsing a fan. Has antone had experience as to the correct way to hook up the fan. Should the fan run all of the time, or is it controlled by the thermostat?

ty4stroke.com

Put an R6 Fan on your Phazer!

Had a few radiators from my days of selling sportbikes. I knew that the fan plugs were the same as the fan plug in the Phazer harness so I did some checking to see if I could mount one. Turns out they mount up rather easy! I used a radiator fan from an 06-07 R6r. There are 3 legs on it. As...

ty4stroke.com

Fan Wiring on Standard Phazer

Tried to get the fan.Dealer gave me the documented shpeel.Took care of that easily.Then he claims the standard Phazer does not have the wiring for the fan update.Is this true? Also I broke the number2 exhaust at head.New ones are Identical not reinforced so I got mine welded and passed on new...

ty4stroke.com

Phazer Fan Options

I have a friend that is looking to purchase two 2007 Phazer GT's. These have all the updates done except the fan on the radiator. Since they are out of warranty, the dealer shot the price of that fan kit. I was amazed it was over $200!! I did find some places online that had the kit for...

ty4stroke.com

 

[Kevin0311]

Both my 07's had the plug in the harness, one came with fan and i added to the other was very simple.

 

[Mooseman315]

Ok. So before scrapping the sled altogether I pulled the track (first time) and took at look at the tunnel cooler. No obvious trauma (though I have nothing to compare against) except the sheet metal looks torn just past the cooler. It's a bad photo but maybe someone else can see anything obvious. Despite that tear, I don't see anything of real concern.

The coolant leak seems to be from a pinhole leak in the expansion tank that flows when it is under pressure. I don't know why it burst in the first place but am wondering if it is due to lack of maintenance on the fluid in general (probably original fluid).

Next step will be to replace the expansion tank, and see if that stops the leaks. Then I need to source a new track (4000 miles on this one) and do some skid repair.

 

[Kevin0311]

Camso 9033C Freeride Snowmobile Track - Sledtrack

Camso - Camoplast 9033C Freeride snowmobile track is 121 inches in length by 14 inches wide with a 1.5 inch lug height.

sledtrack.com

put this track on my 07 FX and for me riding around my local area non groomed backwoods trails is perfect. My son's phazer has close to new stock track and the deeper lug of the camso is alot better.

 

[Mooseman315]

I love that tip, thank you!

 

[maim]

the one in my signature showed the heat light while riding in slush/powder. what it had done was form an ice dam over the cooler while powder riding and wasn't letting fresh snow hit the cooler. cleared the snow/ice and it was fine.