[bpace07]

My sportsman 850 started overheating yesterday, is there a common problem with these? The temp. light comes on and rpm's are limited. I removed the thermostat and it's fully open at 180 degrees, radiator is full.

 

[Gmartino100]

Dirty rad

 

[bpace07]

No, never been in mud, radiator is clean.

 

[FPD218]

My sportsman 850 started overheating yesterday, is there a common problem with these? The temp. light comes on and rpm's are limited. I removed the thermostat and it's fully open at 180 degrees, radiator is full.

to the forum

 

[FPD218]

To properly get all the air bubbles out of the coolant system you must elevate the front end of the machine.

 

[bpace07]

Is that necessary if its never been opened except to check its full?

 

[FPD218]

Is that necessary if its never been opened except to check its full?

You said on your orignal post you removed the thermostat. How did you remove the thermostat without opening up the coolant system?

 

[bpace07]

That was before the symptoms appeared.

 

[Gmartino100]

So your stat should open around 180. You know it’s working if you keep your hand on the return line and it gets hot around the 180 mark. Fan kicks on at 195ish and will lower temps to just below 180. If your fan isn’t coming on it could be your temperature sensor. You can unplug that and the fan will run continuously and that’s how you know it’s the temp sensor. If the fan doesn’t run, then it’s the fan. If everything checks out and you don’t have an air lock from when you changed the stat, then your rad is dirty.

 

[pcaster]

If the radiator is clean, have you verified the water pump is working? Like Gmartino said, make sure the fan is working and it's coming on at the proper temp. and check the temp sensor.

 

[Gmartino100]

Also, with your hand on the return you’ll be able to tell if your pump is working or not. Haven’t heard many problems with the pumps though, usually it’s a dirty rad or an air lock. One time a stat was put in upside down 🤣 since your symptoms started after replacing the stat, are you sure it was installed correctly?

 

[FPD218]

That was before the symptoms appeared.

Exactly. That's why you need to burp it by elevating the front end.

 

[pcaster]

Exactly. That's why you need to burp it by elevating the front end.

Think maybe you can burp me by elevating my front end 🤣 🤣 🤣!!

 

[Guybo]

I am going the simple route. Check the water pump. If the impeller free spins this is your problem. Snug it tight, but do not over tighten.

 

[bpace07]

I put it up on ramps to about a 45 deg angle and filled the rad. when it was warm and running.
It only runs hot when going real slow, its fine as long as its moving and air is going thru the rad.
I did hear the fan turn on when this first started but not since, where is the temp sensor located?
(Gmartino, symptoms started before removing stat.)