What is your warm up theory

[bobback]

I understand that the Poo needs a little warm up time (100 degrees seems to be the magic #) before hammering the throttle. But when loading sleds first thing in the morning, as long as a person isn’t hitting full throttle I would imagine minimal warm up is ok?

So, what is your warm up theory?

 

[richracer1]

I let all of my engines, atv, snow blower, sled, truck, chainsaw, warm up some before getting after it.

 

[mtnsledder]

I was told to not even move the sled across the ground till they're 120.

Two 2011 800 Pros, one with 4100 miles and one with 3400 miles.

Zero issues, never touched the motors.

 

[milo303]

Always warmed up mine and I also let the coolant circulate after sitting for lunch

Pulled my motor apart at 1100 miles and it still looked new.

Bought my lady a used pro with 1300 on it and it was scored some, probably didn't warm it up

 

[bobback]

Local dealer here (and it was their long time poo mechanic) said if just loading that it’s ok to move with minimal warm up; it’s the no warm up and hammering the throttle that isn’t good.

And good point on some warm up after lunch. Local dealer pointed this out too, that a lot of guys get done with lunch then hammer it; but sled needs to warm up here too

 

[boondocker rick]

don't forget to warm up the quick drive belt before hammer down

 

[Pownar]

I don't move my sleds until the thermostat pops and the coolant cycles. By then the components of the engine aren't fully warmed up but pretty close. I still don't hammer the throttle until a few minutes of varied throttle. Ive never had any engine issues with these practices.

 

[edgexcsp]

I always let mine warm up before I load it in the morning. Maybe not to 100* every time but I try to get to at least 75*.

 

[Rocketboy]

Let mine warm up to 100* before I ride. I would load on the trailer before that. What am I going to do let it sit inside the enclosed trailer for 5 minutes to warm up.... nope!

Once at 100* I take it easy for a little bit. Once it gets close to 125 then I make sure I am very easy on it as it opens up. I don't want to be hard on the gas and it opens and in rushes cold coolant....... Seems once I hit 125 and then it opens it seems to drop to 123 and then come back up.

 

[cateye5312]

I let them hit 70 before taking them out of the trailer and then 100 before taking off. I always take it easy the first 1/2 mile or so but they usually get to 125 almost immediately. Good to go then IMO.

 

[Danbot]

I will occasionally load or unload quickly with minimal warmup, but after that:
1-let her idle to 120+
2-shut down and let the heat soak into the crank / bearings for 10 mins or so
3 -let her idle up to 120+ again, and go!

#2 is very important in my view

I also like to warm up the track and QD before a ride, and I idle it till the temp settles out to 100 minimum after lunch or a big dig out

 

[Jaynelson]

Even when loading I always try to give it at least a minute or 2. More if I have time.

I have fired it up and moved pretty quickly if warmup wasn't really an option....i.e. didn't want to smoke out the garage, etc.

I think discretion goes a long way. If you are pulling out of a heated shop and just loading....minimal warmup is a lot less hard on things than if the sled was outside frozen solid all night. Use your head and you'll be fine.

 

[jdw1]

I start mine set the security code and walk away after it heats up to i think 130 or so it shuts off, in the mean time i am eating breakfast and getting dressed for the day. by then the engine is heat soaked to the crank, then up on the stand to warm up track and drive belt, by the time you get out of the lot shes ready to go, probably kinda extreme, just did a "Indy Dan" long rod this summer and everything looked good on disassembly.
The other thing i try never to do is to make a hard pull and then shut it off right after, i let it idle for a bit to take the heat away from the engine.

jmo

 

[rmscustom]

I will occasionally load or unload quickly with minimal warmup, but after that:
1-let her idle to 120+
2-shut down and let the heat soak into the crank / bearings for 10 mins or so
3 -let her idle up to 120+ again, and go!

#2 is very important in my view

I also like to warm up the track and QD before a ride, and I idle it till the temp settles out to 100 minimum after lunch or a big dig out

Yep # 2 is a biggie in the morning. Could easily have 100+ degree coolant temps and a crank that is still below freezing.

 

[bobback]

Really a warm up should be done with all makes, just not poo, right?

 

[Jaynelson]

Really a warm up should be done with all makes, just not poo, right?

Definitely. A warmup of some type should be done with *any* engine cold engine before laying in to it.

 

[The Fourth Wolf]

I don't have a theory, I have a process and I stick to it.

I start the sled and let it come to temp. Depending on ambient temperature it takes 15-20 minutes which is enough time for the crank to heat soak. At home, if the sled's over-nighted in the garage I use the floor dolly to drag it on to the driveway before starting.

This strict warm-up routine and a turned up oiler have given me nearly 2,400 trouble free miles. ('12 Pro 800)

I bought my first enclosed trailer this summer so I have the challenge of exhaust in a confined space to work around. I'll probably just drag it outside first.

 

[Daggerboat]

With the polaris exhaust valve motor I don't let it idle any longer than needed. I let the sled roll back off the deck, start it up and when I think I will be able to engage the clutch and drive away, I give it just enough throttle to start moving. Then I travel at that rpm until the temp is at 125. Depending on conditions it could be a long ways before I start to increase the speed. This method prevents the exhaust valves from gumming up AND warms up the entire sled.

 

[Reg2view]

...I bought my first enclosed trailer this summer so I have the challenge of exhaust in a confined space to work around. I'll probably just drag it outside first.

They drag out easier from the front when they are idling, of course. Especially if you have belt deflection perfect.

Clear the tunnel, track on a stand before it goes in the trailer - this is really important, load and 2x4 under the lugs. It comes out much easier. Doesn't work if the track is froze in an ice block. I see dudes trying to blast a sled off a trailer with a frozen track at a lot of trailheads.

At unload, start the sled in the trailer, grab a ski and pull it out immediately, almost always by myself, never raising the RPM on the sled. Put a stand under it off the trailer. Once the water temp gets to 100, I'll start to turn the track with some low RPM. Usually shut it down around 120, heat soak it while I get my jacket, bag, shut up the truck. Pee. Not on the sled. Start, put on helmet, etc. temps gets to 120 and I'll start to drive it, not flipper happy for 5 or 10 minutes. I'm usually too stiff anyways for the first half hour.

 

[Butta]

Always warm up before riding, includes after long stops throughout the day. This is the first year I have an enclosed trailer, but I found it very easy to push my sled out the front door with the Sure Grip sled dollies (steerable ski dollies), then start it outside. It also gives you a few minutes to get amped up with the 2 stroke exhaust smell!!