Sidewinder Heat Exchanger Hose

[dgjr636]

Last season on my Winder I decided to add additional protectors to my heat exchangers to make sure there was no way Studs would hit the louvers. When installing I seen the hose as a potential problem so I relieved this area of the protector to slide over and protect the hose as well.

I put 3500 hard back packing miles on in Quebec with no issues. (Yes I heard ice dropping a few times and getting chewed up)

Protectors were just old Ski-doo sliders that slide on tight to the tunnel heat exchangers.
Not the best pics but hose and clamps is completely protected.

I also see that the pics with the hose failure does not have studs in the track. Maybe the studs aids in chewing up the ice before it becomes a issue???
Just a thought.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

Seen this pic......Interesting mod by a dealer.

I have a feeling what happens with some of these, is in certain conditions where a good chuck of ice comes around with track, it grabs the hose and pushes it ahead. That is what in turn allows it to be cut/torn into by ice.

I feel like this wont happen as long as the hose remains TIGHT and in place, as the ice chunks will not be able to slide the loose(clamp) hose forward, creating a lowered area of hose where ice can tear into. I think as long as the hose stays flat and in proper position any chunks will just slide by since its taught.

So I get the feeling that this may have something to do with all these not being clamped down tight enough from factory.....Sure anything is possible, and having a guard here would be a true solver, but It makes me wonder if its more due to lose clamps and hose being able to slide forward and cause a bunch'd up spot for ice to tear.

Maybe Travis can make up a nice heavy plate/bracket that can be bolted to tunnel or something...Or maybe a PVC pipe to go around this hose, but that would be a pain to install.

Dan

 

[XP123]

Seen this pic......Interesting mod by a dealer.

I have a feeling what happens with some of these, is in certain conditions where a good chuck of ice comes around with track, it grabs the hose and pushes it ahead. That is what in turn allows it to be cut/torn into by ice.

I feel like this wont happen as long as the hose remains TIGHT and in place, as the ice chunks will not be able to slide the loose(clamp) hose forward, creating a lowered area of hose where ice can tear into. I think as long as the hose stays flat and in proper position any chunks will just slide by since its taught.

So I get the feeling that this may have something to do with all these not being clamped down tight enough from factory.....Sure anything is possible, and having a guard here would be a true solver, but It makes me wonder if its more due to lose clamps and hose being able to slide forward and cause a bunch'd up spot for ice to tear.

Maybe Travis can make up a nice heavy plate/bracket that can be bolted to tunnel or something...Or maybe a PVC pipe to go around this hose, but that would be a pain to install.

Dan

View attachment 136611

I'm sure a plate riveted to the tunnel would work. I was even thinking a PVC pipe cut in half and glued over the hose with maybe silicone would work. Lots of silicone all around the hose and clamps to act like a cushion.

 

[23SS]

I'm sure a plate riveted to the tunnel would work. I was even thinking a PVC pipe cut in half and glued over the hose with maybe silicone would work. Lots of silicone all around the hose and clamps to act like a cushion.

I am the other guy that had the same problem in Quebec on the same day. I also thought about gluing a second piece of hose over the coolant hose to help protect it. But I think the real problem will be keeping the two hose nipples in alignment. The way the mechanic had to beat the tunnel/heat exchanger back down, I'd say the real problem is a weak tunnel. Has anyone seen a reinforcement kit for this area of the tunnel? I can't believe we are the only ones to have experienced this problem.

 

[XP123]

I am the other guy that had the same problem in Quebec on the same day. I also thought about gluing a second piece of hose over the coolant hose to help protect it. But I think the real problem will be keeping the two hose nipples in alignment. The way the mechanic had to beat the tunnel/heat exchanger back down, I'd say the real problem is a weak tunnel. Has anyone seen a reinforcement kit for this area of the tunnel? I can't believe we are the only ones to have experienced this problem.

I'm telling you if you spray both sides of the inside of your tunnel with silicone spray you won't get much ice forming. I tried an experiment with my Winder and my Wife's 1200 Doo. I sprayed my Winder real good and let it set. I didn't use anything on her sled. After a weekend of riding her sled had a ton of ice buildup and mine had none. I'm a believer and I will be doing both sleds once a week and before we go on any trips.

 

[Sevey]

View attachment 136361 View attachment 136359 View attachment 136359 View attachment 136360 Last season on my Winder I decided to add additional protectors to my heat exchangers to make sure there was no way Studs would hit the louvers. When installing I seen the hose as a potential problem so I relieved this area of the protector to slide over and protect the hose as well.

I put 3500 hard back packing miles on in Quebec with no issues. (Yes I heard ice dropping a few times and getting chewed up)

Protectors were just old Ski-doo sliders that slide on tight to the tunnel heat exchangers.
Not the best pics but hose and clamps is completely protected.

I also see that the pics with the hose failure does not have studs in the track. Maybe the studs aids in chewing up the ice before it becomes a issue???
Just a thought.

I have a question - is that slider able to slide overtop of the hose connector and offer it some protection? - tough to tell with the pics.
MS

 

[Sevey]

I am the other guy that had the same problem in Quebec on the same day. I also thought about gluing a second piece of hose over the coolant hose to help protect it. But I think the real problem will be keeping the two hose nipples in alignment. The way the mechanic had to beat the tunnel/heat exchanger back down, I'd say the real problem is a weak tunnel. Has anyone seen a reinforcement kit for this area of the tunnel? I can't believe we are the only ones to have experienced this problem.

That isn't a bad idea. I would want a second set of clamps on it to make sure its secure. Having it come loose/and torn around the front exchanger may be a problem. MS

 

[ROCKERDAN]

I am the other guy that had the same problem in Quebec on the same day. I also thought about gluing a second piece of hose over the coolant hose to help protect it. But I think the real problem will be keeping the two hose nipples in alignment. The way the mechanic had to beat the tunnel/heat exchanger back down, I'd say the real problem is a weak tunnel. Has anyone seen a reinforcement kit for this area of the tunnel? I can't believe we are the only ones to have experienced this problem.

I have seen that the few that have had this happen, it seems to be a similar thing. Where the one part gets shoved up by ice and then the ice chunks can tear into hose.

I still think the loose clamps can play into this....As soon as ice comes around, and a clamp is allowed to be slid/pushed down off the nipple, then that long alum tube coming from back can get shoved up....Basically if those clamps are tightened correctly, the hose ties the long tube(from rear) and the front exchanger together...helping things remain in place better.

I just know for a fact many of these(if not all) are not very tightly clamped.....Some so poorly tightened they leak just sitting there. I know mine it tight now since I did it myself. So Ill keep tabs on mine, I know I had alot of ice chunks a few rides as it was minus 30 and I could hear it bigtime getting flung around and my studs chewing it up.

Dan

 

[hibshman25]

Any chance a guard of some kind could be riveted underneath protecting that connection?
Crazy design not having the tunnel built like a fortress to take the pounding from ice.
If you have a heat exchanger up there, your going to have ice at some point.

A photo would be great.
MS

Got your pm and read tbrough this thread. Will check out my sled and see what I can come up with!

 

[23SS]

I'm telling you if you spray both sides of the inside of your tunnel with silicone spray you won't get much ice forming. I tried an experiment with my Winder and my Wife's 1200 Doo. I sprayed my Winder real good and let it set. I didn't use anything on her sled. After a weekend of riding her sled had a ton of ice buildup and mine had none. I'm a believer and I will be doing both sleds once a week and before we go on any trips.

I will definitely be trying the silicone spray. Thanks for the tip.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

Got your pm and read tbrough this thread. Will check out my sled and see what I can come up with!

Travis check out another thread where I took alot of pics when mine was leaking, and I found how loose the clamps were. Might help you get some ideas. I could see a very heavy duty alum covering, riveted (maybe bolted even better) from underneath.

Here is the thread: https://ty4stroke.com/threads/exchanger-coolant-leak-fixed-fuel-tank-battery-removal.150907/


Dan

 

[Catwheels88]

Had same thing happen just now on my 18 thundercat!!! Probibly a good idea to try to shield it with something like you did!!! 100 miles on trail away from truck waiting for rest of group to go get It! Awesome way to end the weekend!

 

[23SS]

Had same thing happen just now on my 18 thundercat!!! Probibly a good idea to try to shield it with something like you did!!! 100 miles on trail away from truck waiting for rest of group to go get It! Awesome way to end the weekend!

Keep us posted as to what you find and what you think the cause may have been. Unfortunate you were so far from your truck.

 

[Catwheels88]

Will do! Maybe even have it done tonight if the rest of the group wants to ride tomorrow.

 

[GlennM]

I'm telling you if you spray both sides of the inside of your tunnel with silicone spray you won't get much ice forming. I tried an experiment with my Winder and my Wife's 1200 Doo. I sprayed my Winder real good and let it set. I didn't use anything on her sled. After a weekend of riding her sled had a ton of ice buildup and mine had none. I'm a believer and I will be doing both sleds once a week and before we go on any trips.

I do exactly that also, no ice build up [emoji108]

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