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Pad heater placement

DaveA

DaveA

Newbie
Joined
Mar 1, 2013
Messages
24
Location
Saskatchewan
After the recent cold snap I learned the Venture will not start at temperatures below -25C (13F). I've been looking at the various methods to remedy that for next time. The pad heaters look like a simple and inexpensive way to go. After taking off a few panels and covers this morning looking for a flat spot on the engine suitable for sticking a pad to there was not much success as much of the engine is still hidden. Pretty tight in there! Before I take more stuff apart, I'm wondering if anyone can direct me to a clear diagram or photographs of different sides of the engine. Any help appreciated. dave

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Universal-Silico ... 98&afsrc=1
 

What about directly under the engine? I think there's a nice spot there on the bottom cover (aka: oil pan). Heat rises so it should spread to the rest of the engine.

So far, from what I've been reading, most are going with coolant heaters that circulate warmed coolant throughout the whole engine. I think Yamaha sells one.
 
Did it not start because the relays froze? If so then warming up the engine would not fix the problem.
 
I don't think so. The fuel pump sounded like it was pressurizing properly. The others I don't know. It was -44C. An hour and a half of this bush rig and it started easily.

 
Well, after a close inspection I see no spot anywhere on the convoluted surface of the Genesis 500 engine to stick a pad heater. Back to a propane or electric radiant heater set-up.
 
What about the coolant heater? even though it doesn't list the VL as a model, I can't see why it wouldn't work as I think all models use the same size hoses,
 
A quick search of which 09 sleds the coolant heater does fit shows at least the Apex and RS Venture. Both have different engines than the Venture so my assumption was that the Yamaha engineers assessed space and layout in the engine compartment would prevent it's use. That could very well be a wrong conclusion on my part. But since you mention that the hose sizes likely are the same, a closer look is in order.

What location would the most efficient for heat transfer? #36 goes from the top of the radiator through the frame to the thermostat housing on the engine.

 
Hmmm. Honestly, I'm not sure. What do the instructions say for the Apex? My guess would be between the water pump and thermostat #3. At #36, looks like you would be heating the radiator and tunnel cooler before it gets to the engine.
 
Last week before a ice fishing trip I bought a Yamaha coolant heater, part SMA-HEATR-CL-NT I didn't have time and wasn't sure on how to bleed the air out of the system and didn't want to burn my sled down on my trip so I decided to get a pad heater from Napa part 24025 ($20.00) and put it on the oil tank. I can't say for 100% that the coolant heater will fit because I haven't installed it yet but from the research I did it will fit and work fine. Coldest it got on my trip was -17F and it started but it started at -20 before with out any heater. I also have a 1.5 amp battery tender. Once I get the hose heater installed I think I will have the trifecta of cold starting a 4 stroke, battery tender, oil heater and coolant heater.

If anyone can give me some tips on how to bleed the air bubbles out of the coolant after opening my system I will let you know how the hose heater works.

Here's a pic of the oil heater pad.
 

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I just wanted to add, I was told on here that the oil pump move a ton of oil fast on these sleds. That's the reason I thought it would be ok to install the heater pad on the tank rather then the motor it's self. Also I would have like to mount the pad on the very bottom of the tank but where I put it was the lowest spot it would fit.
 
For bleeding the air out of the coolant, it's real easy. On the pipe just below the coolant tank, there is a small black cap with a clamp. Remove the clamp and pull off the cap. Start filling through the tank until you see coolant starting to come out of that nipple and then replace the cap and clamp. Continue filling until up to the full mark. Start the engine and let it run until the fan comes on and off, which means the thermostat has opened and any little bit of air has come out. Turn it off and wait to cool. Recheck the level and add more if required.

I agree that if you're putting a pad to place it as low as possible to warm as much oil as possible. Where it's at in the photo, it might partially be heating just above the oil level.
 
Not sure if the pad is worth it or I possible have it too high. It's 42F in the garage right now and I checked the end of the dip stick and also shot it into the tank with my temp gun and it's only 68F. It's been plugged in for a few hours before testing it. This weekend I will take a look and see if I mounted the pad higher then the oil in the tank. Sounds like something I would do!

Thanks Mooseman for bring the hight of the pad to my attention and the great instructions to bleed the coolant.
 
The folks behind the counter at the local dealer were not too helpful with questions about the inline coolant heater sizing or installation specs. Seems not many parts are in the building so thats as far as I got. Looks like it would be a chore to install wherever the location. Please let us know how it works out MNicefisher.
 
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