summit 1000 leaking coolant

[hankohlson]

hey guys,
ive got an 05 summit 1000, ive heard roumors that there is, was, or are problems in these sleds with coolant leaking from some where. i may be having this problem. its leaking coolant from the bellypan out of the trianular skid pieces. i dont think its been over filled. ive heard the front coolers on these sleds have had issues would it be leaking from there? its not leaking very much just enough to get my attention. if youve had similar issues let me know, and if youve had your front cooler go out where did it leak from?

thanks for the help.

 

[sledheadd]

My 05 rt did the same started leaking a little at first then after a thousand miles or so I had to add about 500 ml every ride.
Mine was leaking from the front cooler at an impossible place to fix.So i bypassed the front cooler.This is what my dealer was doing to fix them.
Cheaper than buying a new chassis which the only way to replace front cooler.I have about 600 miles on her like this and no cooling issues yet.

 

[hankohlson]

did you bypass the cooler your self or have the dealer do it? anyone know how to do this?

 

[JB1000]

Hi I had the same problem it was the front cooler. I removed it and got it welded by a GOOD aluminum welder and made sure he did not grind his welds off to much. Then had him pressure test it. The cooler is rivited to the chassis it is removable. I was a major pain to remove it took us ten hours an all nighter so I could ride next day. I would bypass if you still have rear cooler installed. Good luck.

 

[bluemtnsnoguide]

Same thing here have dealer bypass front cooler and use rear cooler,will run warmer and better

 

[cjgodden]

as long as the rear heat exchanger has not been deleted (taken out) you can bypass the front cooler. the 05 rt was running hot so they kept adding heat exchangers, then they figured out that removing the thermostat cured the over heat problem. After removing the t-stat the it was found there was too much heat exchanger. The fix for this was to bypass the rear exchanger. So if the rear cooler (curves down by the flap) is still there you can just bypass the front one and hook the rear back up if it has been bypassed.

 

[ARMYSLEDER]

When I dropped my highmark off at the dealer a month ago to get it serviced and the 07 programming on it the dealer said there had been a problem with early RT 1000 sleds having a small leak of coolent from the belly pan area. He said that skidoo will cover it and they went ahead and fixed no charge. I think they updated it to how the 07 RT are set up. I didnt ask to much detail but check with the dealer I think it might be a recall or something because for them not to charge me it must be a simple fix.

 

[sledjunky3]

i had a cracked hose

 

[hankohlson]

hey thanks for the input, unfortunatly im outta waranty and already deleted my rear cooler. does anyone know which hoses to route where to by bass the front cooeler? do i need to pull the engine to get at them i looks like most of its out of reach. i hate tearing my sled apart mid season not knowing what im getting into. im hoping to magically find a loose hose and tighten up the clamp but i won't hold my breath...

 

[GF2]

coolant leak

Pressure test it with air and use soap and water to find your leak.

 

[hankohlson]

Hi I had the same problem it was the front cooler. I removed it and got it welded by a GOOD aluminum welder and made sure he did not grind his welds off to much. Then had him pressure test it. The cooler is rivited to the chassis it is removable. I was a major pain to remove it took us ten hours an all nighter so I could ride next day. I would bypass if you still have rear cooler installed. Good luck.

I know some good welders so i think im gonna go this route. How did you go about removing it? remove rear suspension, track and driver's? (I'd really rather leave that in cuz i just had my chain case apart to re-gear) Can you access the hoses going to the cooler by pulling it down once you remove the rivets? i just need to get a plan of attack so i dont go taking off stuff i dont need to. What special tools did you have to use if any?

thanks guys

 

[bluemtnsnoguide]

Sorry but I think you have to pull motor to get to it right,but not sure, find rear cooler and put it back in

 

[JB1000]

You dont have to remove engine. Here it is remove skid frame, take chain case apart so you can get drivers and track off. Drill out rivets and remove cooler it is in there real tight. Had to pry it out with a screwdriver. Once it is loose you can remove hoses. Make sure you have a good welder and pressure test. Oh and you are sure it is the cooler right? Reverse steps to put together. Good Luck JB

 

[summit1000bob]

Before you go to all that trouble, make sure your hoses are tight, and then let the coolant go down to just below half in the bottle. Last Season I kept adding more more more and it just kept leaking. So I tried on one trip to let it run low (just below the half mark) and it has stopped leaking.It has worked for me it's worth a try...

 

[H20SKE]

Mine did the same tyhing the first year--started leaking--had the sled in for another issue and the dealer (Steel Dreams) found the leak---The service manager (EndlessWinter) went to doo to get the 06 bulkhead/tunnel to replace it--Doo had them tear out the front cooler and weld it and reinstall it. Cost:$00.00.
So 05 front cooler does come out--but not easily. The 06 and 07 did not have this issue--they redesigned it.

Also have a Attitude Box coming--will pass on how it works.

H20SKE...

 

[diamonddave]

Mine did the same tyhing the first year--started leaking--had the sled in for another issue and the dealer (Steel Dreams) found the leak---The service manager (EndlessWinter) went to doo to get the 06 bulkhead/tunnel to replace it--Doo had them tear out the front cooler and weld it and reinstall it. Cost:$00.00.
So 05 front cooler does come out--but not easily. The 06 and 07 did not have this issue--they redesigned it.

Also have a Attitude Box coming--will pass on how it works.

H20SKE...

I guess I was lucky I didn't have this problem. I doo know of a few guys that are running without the front cooler and the rear cooler and have not had any issues with overheating. The 162 exchanger is pretty large.

H20SKE, I see you live in Renton, is Steel Dreams worth the drive?

 

[hankohlson]

hey thanks for the input guys. i just bypassed the front cooler for now. i think im gonna do things right. my running boards are all bent to hell so im gonna do a tunnel and aftermarket u-cooler, fabcraft stuff probably. i cant get it to leak now so it must have been the cooler.

ive been getting her dialed in and man its rippin great, twins, timbersled air kit, booney box, dj's clutch kit, 20t top, and a ported, half cliped track. it'll be a great year if everything holds up.