800 with 27 XTR's - mud problem

[SledRacer112]

Hey guys,
been a while since I've posted, been busy as can be with work!

I tried to do a bit of a search on here but didn't see much in the way of info or ideas for what I'm facing.

My 800 with 27" XTR's is throwing some serious mud up into the radiator and overheating. I have to clean it out CONSTANTLY...and when I'm on a long ride I end up screwed...if I can't find a hose somewhere. The last ride I took ended up being about 12 hours and we were out in the middle of NOWHERE. I was over heating so I'd go a mile, stop for 15 minutes go a mile stop for 15 minutes because it wouldn't stop flashing hot.

I'm going to be prepared for this next season with a small pump that I can toss in a stream to blast out my radiator...but there has gotta be something else that I can do to keep the mud out of the radiator.

Has anyone else encountered this? Anybody done any modifications to keep the radiator cleaner? I have zero interest in relocating the radiator and really don't want to take my 27's off...

[Jach7]

relocate the rad?

[dgaines]

Relocating the radiator is the only sure fire way to get it out of the mud. Have racked the rad on my 800 touring and one of our 500s with kits from Rubber Down Customs.
Its not the tires, its the location of the radiator; newer models do not have as much of a problem as the rad was moved up, but if you do a lot of riding in the mud, you need to "rack the rad". And yes, you will lose the use of the front box.

Understand you don't want to relocate, so the only other option is keeping a pump and hose handy.

[polman500]

It's not the tires. I've been running big XTR's for more than 2000 miles and never over heated. I'd say you either have something mechanically not up to par in the cooling system or heavy mudding has your radiator plugged and you're never really getting it completely cleaned out. The 800 has a low radiator and is vulnerable to clog with heavy mudding anyway. You might try removing the radiator to get it competely cleaned out from the back and flush the system out to replace with new coolant. You might also check/replace the water pump impeller. I've read a couple posts of guys finding the impeller slipping on the shaft. I'd replace the thermostat while your at it. Yours could be a little sticky.
Finally, you might try modifying your riding style to avoid the deeper mud holes and see if that has any affect on the over heating problem.
Good luck.

[KICKER431]

I concur with the above. I love my 700's but HATE where they put the radiators. So low and prone to getting clogged up. Even outside the mud, if it is too dusty, they may still clogg up. I am lucky to ride in places with a fair amount of clear water as well as mud. After playing in the mud I will play in a lake or stream and let that clean my radiator out. Additionally, after every outing I spend probably 20-30 minutes hosing out the radiator from the front and the back.

[SledRacer112]

Thanks for the input guys, been busy as hell with work so haven't had a chance to post back.

I was really hoping to stay away from relocating my rad...for 2 reasons...1 I'll admit it...I'm lazy lol. The second is that I really don't want to lose my front box!

The only reason I blamed it more on the tires is that when riding with the stock tires, I get way less mud in the radiator and overheat less....but those big tires are 10x better than stock obviously...

I'll have to look into the relocate kit I guess...thanks for the info guys!

[SledRacer112]

Was just looking around at some pumps...does anyone here carry a pump with them? If so what''d you buy and how's it working?

I have been thinking about doing something like this guy did...but unsure if that would just cause more problems as it'd be pushing more crap into the front of the radiator.

I see some people talking about portable pumps in this thread but no mention of which pumps.

Thanks again for the input guys!