Stupid clogging heat exchanger! Overheated and threw code30

[Phazed]

So I've been in the UP since Sunday. We're at Lake Gogebic right now. Anyway since day one here I have been over heating. Every time my heat exchanger is clogged with snow/water/slush/ice. I clear it out and all is good till it decides to clog again.

I forgot to clean last nights mess in heat exchanger when we went out to ride this morning. We're right on the lake so we head out on the 11 mile hike down the lake to the trail. I over heated about 5 minutes out and came to a stop. In addition to my coolant light, the check engine light was on and flashing the number 30. Code 30 is low oil pressure. The engine automatically shut off as the code description says. Anyway, I cleared out the heat exchanger and let it sit for a few to cool. Started it back up and all was well, till the next time it clogged. But thats the only time today/ever I have thrown a code.

Is there anything I should watch out for with that light coming on? Also, has anyone discovered a solution to the heat exchanger clogging.


This has been very annoying. But, at least I know what is causing it and how to fix it, temporarily anyway.

 

[terret725]

do u have the radiator fan? i can get my sled idle for over 45 mins with out it over heating. also havent had any problems over heating yet even on icey conditions.

 

[Phazed]

Yes, I do have the radiator fan.

I have the main large hole covered in the tunnel underneath the muffler. The front hole is still open. I was thinking that since my tunnel is closed and all that snow isn't going onto my running boards, all the snow is collecting/melting/icing on my heat exchanger.

 

[cannondale27]

You need to close that front hole.I would also try bleeding your system.Do a search on how.I am not sure how its done but remember it was fairly easy.

 

[Motoman765]

Oh come on that would never happen! (pic 1)

I found two solutions to this problem. Last year I carried this (picture 2) with me the whole year and every time the light came on I turned it on the right side (make sure it's the right side or you'll fill your airbox with oil) and chunk out all the ice. You don't have to wait for it to cool down after that either. As soon as you get some fresh snow on the heat exchanger the light goes right out. Know this from experience. This year I fixed the problem this way (picture 3) by putting a 1.5" freeride track on, have never once had it ice over again.

 

[tkuss]

I have the fan now as well and there is no more over heating. Is your fan turning on. Perhaps check your coolant level? Also did you add oil to your sled? How is the snow up there? I am dying for this week to end so I can get back out on my sled in this great conditions.

 

[phaze5]

my sno is deeper than yours and i have the fan and yes it will still overheat, gonna have to track it. yamaha should give us trick little sno scrapers with mounts thatd be nice

 

[Phazed]

I found two solutions to this problem. Last year I carried this (picture 2) with me the whole year and every time the light came on I turned it on the right side (make sure it's the right side or you'll fill your airbox with oil) and chunk out all the ice. You don't have to wait for it to cool down after that either. As soon as you get some fresh snow on the heat exchanger the light goes right out. Know this from experience. This year I fixed the problem this way (picture 3) by putting a 1.5" freeride track on, have never once had it ice over again.

I have been tipping it to the left side. But not all the way, my buddy has been holding it up. I'll be checking my air box shortly. I'm honestly going to find some sort of tool to carry to dig the crap out. I really want to put the 1.5 freeride track on. I really don't have the funds for that right now. Hopefully I will have one before next season. But is is ridiculous that a new track is needed to cure the problem.

I have the fan now as well and there is no more over heating. Is your fan turning on. Perhaps check your coolant level? Also did you add oil to your sled? How is the snow up there? I am dying for this week to end so I can get back out on my sled in this great conditions.

I am pretty sure that my fan IS coming on. I've checked my cold coolant level and its good. I haven't added any oil. But I've checked it and its just below the full line.

The snow up here is great. The trails get pretty dusty because its so cold, but other than that they are good. The trails were actually much better in Ishpeming/Marquette. A lot less ridden. But all in all its a good time.

my sno is deeper than yours and i have the fan and yes it will still overheat, gonna have to track it. yamaha should give us trick little sno scrapers with mounts thatd be nice

They need to do something, because this is just ridiculous.

 

[rfabro]

Here's the procedure for burping the air out of the cooling system.
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=53896
Close the front hole, and you'll get rid of the ice on the exchanger, from what everyone says. With back hole closure, it's like 20-30 dollar fix.

 

[cannondale27]

Thanks rfabro thats a great tip.

 

[tkuss]

I am 99% sure that you are going to want to tip the sled to the right. If you tip it to far to the left the oil will run out and into the airbox giving you the warning oil light. If the light comes on when just driving, I have no clue why that would happen.

 

[Vmax4]

Once again, it is only very specific conditions that these issues occur. I would work closely with my dealer and yamaha and try to talk to them about these specific conditions and what they can do to help you have the same great sled that I have out on the west coast. It is never cold enough out here to get the snow dust and collection on the hear exchanger. Call me lucky I guess, but I have not had any issues with this one, due in part that my riding conditions are so different than yours. That is the twist I would give to my dealer and to Yamaha.

 

[rfabro]

Thanks rfabro thats a great tip.

Thanx. I just edited it to be a bit more understandable.

 

[LJ 452]

When I dilluted the coolent on the MTX I had a similar issue in that I removed X amount of oz.'s but couldn't get that amount of distiled water back in. I new there was an air bubble somewere. Also the rad was not getting hot. I let the sled cool a little and the removed this plug circled in red and a bunch of air came out followed by some coolent at which point I replaced the cap and clamp and bada bing. Problem solved. Just remember to remove the rese cap to releave the pressure before removing the rubber cap.