Is the snow buildup in the tunnel really that bad?

[Nitrousman1]

Is it worth it to make a plate to block off part of the tunnel from the exhaust to cut down on ice/snow buildup in the tunnel? If anyone has built one what did you use and how much of the tunnel did you block off? Thanks.

 

[alsops]

I am waiting to hear from a local dealer who says he will have the fix for this winter
Removing the tunnel protectors are not good according to several well informed riders and I tend to agree.
Hopefully the plate will fix this ugly problem of 40-60lb's of ice after a days ride.
I just polished my tunnel inside and out and will spray it with the graphite to see it it helps next season.

 

[arteeex]

The snow and ice build-up varies with temp and snow conditions. But when the conditions are right, the build-up can be a real problem.

The link below will show you what I did. Several others on the site have done similar crafty projects. Do a search to find more options. I found this fix to be a big help at reducing the ice load on my sled. The goal of any method is to reduce the amount of snow hitting the exhaust.

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=

 

[SledFreak]

I'm still not understanding why Yamaha has the tunnel open anyway and how they never really seen this in their testing. Also, why they do not offer a OEM block off plate?

Like I said in other posts.... Yamaha needs to get rid of the rear exhaust and do what ski-doo and other OEM's have done and have the exhaust out the front right side, like the 2 smokers. It would solve alot of issues. From ice build up to overall chassis design. They have to do alot of engineering to accomodate this rear exit exhaust.

Is it worth all of these hassles. My Apex had the same issues with ice buildup and it's from the rear exhaust. Get rid of it..

 

[Nitrousman1]

The only real benefit I see from having the exhaust exit at the rear is it makes it a quieter ride for the driver. Plus it's a straight shot out the back for the pipes so maybe that helps with power.

 

[arteeex]

A front exhaust for the Nytro (as it is designed today) would be impossible. There's barely enough room under the hood for the engine and a spare belt now.

The race sleds run the exhaust completely above the tunnel. With appropriate venting and heat shielding under the seat this could be an option for our mass produced sleds too.

Or, get rid of the pop rivets and apply a hydrophobic coating to the underside of the tunnel. This would prevent the ice and snow from gaining purchase and building up to become problem.

 

[Yeller]

Is the ice build up more of a problem on the new gen nytros? I had ice build up on my 07 nytro but it never got to a point where I was really concerned. I would lift the rear and slam it down a few times after riding and in the morning would have to do a little chipping of what didn't fall. The other manufactureres also have ice build up due to the under tunnel rads.

 

[Nitrousman1]

It appears to be a problem on 2008 and newer Nytro's. My 2009 XP 800 has the same problem but I don't think it's as bad as my Nytro. On the XP when it gets to big I'll feel a huge chunk of it fall down into the track and get ground up. The Nytro just seems to keep packing it in there until it starts to rub on the track when you hit bumps but it still doesn't fall out without your help.

 

[Swiss Sledder]

Some offensive posts that were personal attacks have been removed. Please keep your comments to the thread's topic on ice build-up in the tunnel on the FX Nytro platform.

 

[YAM182]

Yes a plate should help.
I rode on a zero degree day and I had to stop at 119 mile to chisel out
as much ice as I could.I couldn't reach all the ice up toward the front.This picture is after deicing and about 60 more miles.There is more ice in the rear of the tunnel that is not in the pic.

 

[eightpilot]

What causes this???? Is it the exhaust that heats up the tunnel just enough to melt and stick the ice to it? Or is it the lack of tunnel heat exchangers? My buddies Apex doesn't seem to have an issue.

 

[shadow44]

I'm sure conditions play a part..off trail vs groomed trail

 

[YAM182]

I have a Cobra track on the Nytro and riders behind me cannot ride too close as this track picks up and spits out some snow!
This track may help cause some buildup in very cold conditions.

 

[AKrider]

IMO, you don't need the tunnel protectors if you don't run studs. I removed the protectors on my Vector when I went to a 136 paddle track. I noticed much less icing and snow packing when the protectors were removed. The exhaust under the tunnel doesn't help anything, but it isn't much different than having tunnel mounted heat exchangers.

My buddy has an XP Summit and its exchangers are mounted on top of the tunnel. Seems like a good idea except that snow then melts and runs off the top of the tunnel and then freezes onto the running boards.

I agree with what was said about Yamaha running the exhaust over the top of the tunnel. There is no reason this wouldn't work and it is commonly done with quads and dirt bikes.

 

[dirkdiggler]

I was told to spray Pam in the tunnel and on the skid. If you do it every other ride you have no problems with buildup.