After Market Cooler For Pro

[Spudman49]

Fellas, how many of you have put on a aftermarket cooler on your pro or are thinking of putting a cooler on. Went out for my first ride Saturday on a 2011 Pro and twice during the day the motor went on retard. We were riding in about 4' of new snow that had settled but when we went into the trees to do some cross country riding going slow it started to retard even though we had plenty of snow. Problem was going slow doesn't kick up enough snow to the rear coolers. Think of buying an aftermarket cooler from Van Amburg of Washington State. They have one for the pro for $199.00 plus shipping. Has anyone bought one from them and did it cure the cooling problem. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks The Spudman

P. S. The pro is one hell of a sled. Now I need to put on some miles an re-learn how to ride it right. Saturday there were 5 pros, one 600 RMK and one Ski Doo Summit. The pros rule.

 

[Super Sled]

X2. Id love to see a thread on installing an aftermarket cooler too.

 

[Oregonsledder]

I'm surprised to hear of your cooling issues. Last Saturday I spent the entire day in the trees in snow that was a little crusty in the morning and mashed potatoes in the afternoon. Part of the time it was slow downhill boondocking with moments of longer up hill higher RPM pulls. My temp never got about 159 degrees and I watched it closely. The air temp was from just above freezing in the morning to lower to mid 50’s in the afternoon. The very short portions of the day on packed snow I had my scratchers down and my temp held steady at 125 to 130.
Either your conditions were vastly warmer and slower or you have a cooling system problem.

 

[gman086]

It's NOT warm conditions but rather COLD when the mashed potatoes freeze over that the Pro really becomes a problem. What really helped me this year was running oil in the gas; less piston friction = lower temps. Run a full ounce per gallon for spring riding. Longer flap and water wetter and make sure your scratchers are bent away from the track all help too as would running the ethanol plug (richer). I'm hoping not to have to add the cooler but time will tell.

Have FUN!

G MAN

 

[Oregonsledder]

It's NOT warm conditions but rather COLD when the mashed potatoes freeze over that the Pro really becomes a problem. What really helped me this year was running oil in the gas; less piston friction = lower temps. Run a full ounce per gallon for spring riding. Longer flap and water wetter and make sure your scratchers are bent away from the track all help too as would running the ethanol plug (richer). I'm hoping not to have to add the cooler but time will tell.

Have FUN!

G MAN

The crust I mentioned above was frozen mashed potatoes. Didn't have a heating problem. With spring conditions, you have to keep moving for what ever the snow is to fly up to the cooloer. RPM is the other factor, water pump flow, is greater with more RPM's so more coolant through the heat exchangers. I don't run a longer flap, water wetter, but I do add oil to the gas.

 

[TurboMatt]

I have experienced the same problems. Its mainly on crusted over snow when you have to drive slowly. Too slow that the scratchers don't do anything and your track isn't throwing up enough snow. If you can ride around at 40mph with the scratchers down I almost never have problems.
Usually in the mashed potatos snow in the afternoon it does OK because the snow is sticky and wet enough that the track throws up enough snow and the high moisture content absorbs a lot of heat.
I'm definately contemplating doing something in the off season. I'd be nice to hear more stories about guys adding coolers and it making a big difference tho.

 

[4Z]

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=229485

 

[thmck]

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277774

 

[Ken Climb]

We also had a Pro in our group overheating this last weekend.
With the pro track, and now overheating, these pro's just aint cut out for spring riding.
Without mods of course.

 

[trikerider]

Last week riding back to the truck we were on some wide open untracked level flats with 1 inch of wet snow on top of a hard crust. I looked down and saw 170 degrees which is the highest I've seen. I have two sets of scratchers on my skid and a set on my skis. What was weird is once we got to the road which was hard packed the temp went right to 125. The road was downhill so I just figured that was the reason for the drop in temp.

 

[LAMBOFGOD]

Last week riding back to the truck we were on some wide open untracked level flats with 1 inch of wet snow on top of a hard crust. I looked down and saw 170 degrees which is the highest I've seen. I have two sets of scratchers on my skid and a set on my skis. What was weird is once we got to the road which was hard packed the temp went right to 125. The road was downhill so I just figured that was the reason for the drop in temp.

scratchers will work better on a hard packed trail. actually "scratches" and kicks up snow dust, where in anything soft the just cut through without kicking any snow up....i imagine you were not going fast enough for the snow from the track to hit the cooler.....

 

[turboless terry]

When I get In marginal snow I crack the throttle wide open to get the track to spin. Even if you can't go very fast you can do it in short bursts. Keeps it from getting out of hand. My wife thinks she does it but not enough. Hers heats up every time and we have to switch

.

 

[trikerider]

scratchers will work better on a hard packed trail. actually "scratches" and kicks up snow dust, where in anything soft the just cut through without kicking any snow up....i imagine you were not going fast enough for the snow from the track to hit the cooler.....

I hear you talking, this snow condition is rare, we were going easily over 50-60 MPH, had to be the weird snow.

 

[Teth-Air]

Now tell me is it only the 155"s and the Pro chassis rather than the regular RMK's that have the extra heat exchanger?

Any 600'S overheating too?

I think engine problems that Polaris has had since the introduction of the Pro may be related to over-heating and if guys answer these questions we may be enlightened.

Overheat often in poor snow conditions: y/n ?
Motor: 800/600?
Track length: 155/163? or other
Model: Pro/Standard RMK?

thanks.

Chris

 

[Super Sled]

Now tell me is it only the 155"s and the Pro chassis rather than the regular RMK's that have the extra heat exchanger?

Any 600'S overheating too?

I think engine problems that Polaris has had since the introduction of the Pro may be related to over-heating and if guys answer these questions we may be enlightened.

Overheat often in poor snow conditions: y/n ?
Motor: 800/600?
Track length: 155/163? or other
Model: Pro/Standard RMK?

thanks.

Chris

The Pro RMK versions only have 2 narrow tunnel coolers, both 600 and 800's. Also have a perforated flap. I suppose the 163 has more cooling because it has longer coolers along the tunnel than 155.

The Standard RMK versions have the same tunnel coolers and a front cooler. End result is more cooling capacity. The flap is also not perforated.

What most want to do here by adding an aftermarket cooler is gain more cooling capacity, because in low snow and marginal snow conditions and times when speeds must be kept slower, the Pro lacks sufficient cooling capacity. That is why guys want to add this.

And bottom line is Teth Air's point is well taken that running any motor too hot will lower that motor's longevity.


Overheat: Yes, my sled has a tendency too.
Motor: 800
155 track lenth
Pro RMK Assault

 

[m8sandman]

would suggest putting your gauge with the temp gauge on and watch it, would not let it be getting hot enough to retard the timing. i shut mine down between 180-190, watch it constantly any time there is less than 10 inches of fresh. adding oil as gman stated is a must, i add 1/2 ounce of oil to a gallon when its deep, 1 ounce to the gallon on setup days. spring riding is a constant battle when in the trees to keep the temps in a reasonable range. a little attention paid now will save you big money later...

 

[Super Sled]

Does Fastrax make a version of it's aftermarket rear cooler for the Pro? If so, does it require any welding to install?

 

[gman086]

Does Fastrax make a version of it's aftermarket rear cooler for the Pro? If so, does it require any welding to install?

Yes and yes.

Have FUN!

G MAN

 

[Scott]

Scratchers don't do alot in spring slushy mashed potatos.