Need Help on Apex Head Gasket

[furg69]

Recently posted about my Apex low on coolant, i toped it up with approx 50/50 and it dropped a little more. So today i decided to change my exhaust gaskets and found coolant leaking from around the head gasket on the motor. How much trouble is it to change the engine head gasket ? I though it was rare for these engines to have this problem. I have no probelm doing clutch work, changing the track or even pistons on two strokes, But im Wondering if i should do it myself or bring it to the dealer. Thanks for any info

 

[furg69]

I should add theres no sign of coolant in the oil resvoir though, do these engins go into any kind of limp mode or shut down before major damage occurs ? I bought this sled used so who knows

 

[sleddog66]

Upon a overheat condition, they are supposed to go into a limp mode before damage. Also, the overheat light comes on very early, giving plenty of time to shut down, or cool down, but like you said......who knows what the previous owner did. I can not help you with your other questions. Sorry. Best of luck.

 

[JROCK]

Picture? A more common place for coolant to leak is at the 2 pipes that go into the head! These can fill with coolant and spill over the valve cover! Might want to check that out before you start ripping the head off.

 

[Snowmobileaddict]

Wa sit really leaking from the head gasket? These will get leaks from time to time at the metal coolant pipe coming out of the top of the motor.

 

[budman 1000]

there is no safe limp mode for over heating on the apex models so if you don't check your guages regularly while driving you can over heat your engine as I have seen this twice in our group of sledders. they punctured the heat exchangers and didn't notice the warning lights on there gauges and fried there motors.

 

[furg69]

Thanks for the info guys. As it looks to me from checking the exhaust side of the engine it looks as if it's coming out through the 2-3mm think black rubber gasket on the head ( one with magnesium engraved on it). Seems to be a far bit there. The sled seems to run fine on all 4 cylinders, idles excellent and has great power. I do notice it alittle hard to start though. turns over for 3-4 seconds before firing up.

 

[furg69]

Just check the area where JROCK mentioned and sure enough that hole where those pipes go into the head are FULL with coolant( guess as i rode it overflowed and came down over the head). Whats sealing that pipe ? a gasket or does it go down into the head ?

 

[TBay Sledhead]

Just check the area where JROCK mentioned and sure enough that hole where those pipes go into the head are FULL with coolant( guess as i rode it overflowed and came down over the head). Whats sealing that pipe ? a gasket or does it go down into the head ?

Sealed with a o-ring, look in the parts fiche under Radiator hose
3 93210-18417-00 O-RING 2req'd $1.31

American pricing.

 

[JROCK]

Glad that was it!! Just remove the pipes clean the hole and install new o-rings. Bet youll find lots of corrosion. Put seal on pipe first with some lube then into the head. Beats changing head gasket, more time for mods!!

 

[cannondale27]

Wow nice job guys!This is a great site

 

[furg69]

Ya got that right, Id be lost without this site. It's good to see people helping out. Always a quick response. Thanks again guys

 

[Agman 57]

Best Sled site on the web, almost always someone there to help a guy out with good advice. Glad to hear you didn't have any major problems.

 

[furg69]

Anyone ever hear of the bolts working loose on the top of the engine ? I tightened the two hex bolts keeping those two coolant tubes pined into the head and also a couple of the big flat hex bolts that keep the top pan on the engine. I called the guy i bought it from he said the enegine was never worked on, Anyone else have this problem ?