RS Venture GT takes forever to warm up

[Mooseman]

On a 2010 fuel injected, this morning, started it to get it out of the trailer and park it in the yard, it took almost 20 minutes for the warmup temp light to go out. Take it out and within a couple of minutes, the hot engine light comes on. Rode it around the yard a bit to get some snow in the exchanger and it did go out. It was just -5c outside.

So what the heck is going on? When the light goes out, it should just be warm but it went into overheat right away. Bad thermostat? Bad temp sensor? I am planning on installing a temp gauge.

 

[kirkswim]

Maybe check for air in the system first. If there is an air bubble by the sensor it could be giving a bad reading.

 

[Mooseman]

That's a pretty vertical area for an air bubble to be trapped in just under the thermostat. Right now, I'm leaning towards the thermostat stuck open which would explain the long warmup and the quick overheating.

I do miss not having a radiator and fan. Yeah, their top of the line touring sled (at the time) doesn't have them.

 

[maim]

well the thermostat would not hurt. you can also get an rad and fan from an apex to add to it if you like. i know barn of parts has scrapped an 11 apex as i got the front arms from him off of it.

 

[74Nitro]

That's a pretty vertical area for an air bubble to be trapped in just under the thermostat. Right now, I'm leaning towards the thermostat stuck open which would explain the long warmup and the quick overheating.

I do miss not having a radiator and fan. Yeah, their top of the line touring sled (at the time) doesn't have them.

Moose, check the temp sensor with diagnostics. I've only ever seen one go bad on an Apex.

 

[Mooseman]

And tonight, it warmed up much faster and behaved normally just to put it back in the trailer. So now I am wondering about that sensor. I'll have to check diagnostics. But dayum! $64 for a thermostat (ordered) and the sensor is $85. The t-stat won't be in till Friday or Monday and I'm leaving for Florida on Saturday for a week. And just my luck, we're getting a dump tonight and Saturday!

 

[maim]

i get to see the snow and the trails are open but am helping with packing and have to help a freind on his farm on sunday.

 

[YukonMP]

Sorry Maim, neither is a good option over sledding but if I had to pick I'd go with Florida.

 

[maim]

lol well i will be able to hear his kids running the sleds in the feild while we are working.

 

[Mooseman]

Well, this is rather embarrassing. Finally got it in the garage tonight and did a preliminary once over. It is very low on coolant, maybe even empty. Tank was empty and when I removed the thermostat, there was nothing under it neither. I'm pretty sure there was some in there when I put it in storage at the end of last season. I had just bought it and put it into service when I had problems with the MP near the end of the season. Tested the t-stat and it's fine.

This sled is new to me so I am clueless. There has to be a leak somewhere. I'm gonna have to fill and run it if I am to find it. Hopefully it's something simple like a loose hose and not a punctured tunnel cooler. Thank goodness I didn't overheat it.

 

[YukonMP]

Not as embarrassing as me taking three days to figure out my fan was unplugged. At least you know what is up. Enjoy Florida.

 

[Mooseman]

Well, my flight out on Saturday got cancelled due to that storm and now flying out tomorrow morning. Took the time today to work on the sled. So filled it up, only needed about a litre of the blue coolant. Ran it, the cold engine light went out within a couple of minutes and then ran it for over 40 minutes and the overheat light never came on. She was good and hot and the system is holding pressure well. No leaks anywhere. So this one is solved. I'll have to keep an eye on the coolant level.

Thanks guys.

 

[steiner]

Check the running board exchangers. Mine would leak on the rear suspension bolt. Very slow leak and hard to see.

 

[74Nitro]

Check the running board exchangers. Mine would leak on the rear suspension bolt. Very slow leak and hard to see.

I've seen that before too. Where it touches the metal bracket for the rear suspension mount they sometimes corrode a little and become pitted.

 

[Mooseman]

Will do.