Overheating - Yellow Warning Light

[monte1214]

I can't find my OM, so just asking on here to get the answer...when riding in low snow conditions, and sled starts to overheat...once that Yellow Warning light pops on what's the "proper" way to deal with it?

Obviously, try to get into some powder to cool the motor, but this past week, I was in icy trail conditions and that wasn't an option.
I pulled over after the light had been on for a minute or so and threw snow on the running boards, shut the motor down and waited a few minutes for the light to shut off.

My question is whether or not I'm hurting the motor?

What's the consensus of everyone?

 

[steiner]

As long as you take action as soon as the light comes you will be fine. If you wait until the sled shut offs.... well that would be a problem.

 

[Murse]

I have ridden in low snow conditions and have had yellow heat light come on a few times and most times where snow was not available and we were far enough from home. The rad fan works really well and I have never had the engine shut off on me. I find my Apex never has snow in the skid when there is little fresh snow on the trail so every time we stop for a break I try to put the machine in some powder and fill the skid with snow. Takes 2 minutes just kick it under have some people ask me what I am doing easy explanation and they often do it as well. Seems to work well especially taking an hour for lunch keeps it nice and cool. This year I have added DuPont slides I have only had my temp light come on once where last year was half a dozen times. I am trying to stay away from larger wheels as I see they can rob some top end and I don't feel it necessary for them yet. If they were necessary then there is obviously not enough snow to ride and we will trailer out. That is another thing I notice about the Apex especially my 06 even verses an 11 XTX his skid full of snow where mine seems dry all the time unless it just snowed. It's not a deal breaker just an observation.

 

[nate007]

In low snow on my Apex, I pull over and pile as much snow on my running boards as possible so it melts down onto the coolers. Works good to keep the motor safe, but doesn't help the slides obviously.

 

[duste]

I try and spin the track in reverse, piles snow right on the front cooler and brings temps down fast, pilling snow on the boards works well too. Don't shot the engine off when you are packing the coolers full of snow, if the engine isn't running the water pump won't pump the cool water to the motor where it's needed. Yamaha's high temp light comes on plenty early to give you a chance to cool it down, if you don't get it cooled off it with shut itself down well before engine damage occurs. Yamaha has always had their warning lights and level lights set to come on early, better than having them come on later.

 

[Murse]

I noticed that with the fuel light. It comes on at 150km's on a tank usually and I have gone to 215km's on a tank of fuel light on since 150km's.

 

[duste]

I have about $10 worth of fuel left when the light comes on, it's annoying but I'd rather that then it come on with $2 dollars left and needing $6 to get to a gas station.

 

[Rich Kay]

My121" apex used to have the light come on in low snow conditions so I upgraded the rear crossover tube with the the one that has a small exchanger instead and my light never came back on again in those conditions.

 

[Bluebullet]

I agree with most,Try to ride in soft snow ( just off trail), kick snow in the suspension, Add snow to running boards and keep sled moving as the air across the radiator and engine helps! You might try some scratcher's to help during low snow during hard packed or icy conditions. Lots of times just going faster helps. good luck

 

[apex55]

I added a XXX mods vent kit this year that helps cool the engine quite a bit and the there are Ice scratchers.
I never thought about leaving the engine running when you pack the rails. Good thinking