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Started By
Message
Any ATV Mechanics here?
Posted on 10/20/21 at 11:38 am
Posted on 10/20/21 at 11:38 am
Sorry for the long read. Looking for someone that can help me out here.
I have an older ATV (2002 arctic cat 400), which has a Kawasaki liquid-cooled engine. I recently bought this bike on the cheap. I am doing some overdue maintenance on the bike and one of the items I am addressing is changing the coolant. I flushed the system and added new coolant. The specs call for 3 quarts, but I was only able to add around 2 quarts of coolant. I am guessing that when I was flushing the system, the thermostat never opened, so the remainder of coolant (the other qt.) never left the motor. Does this sound logical?
Prior adding new coolant, I pulled the thermostat and tested it on the stove. It seems to open/close just fine. (replacement thermostat is like $60, based on my limited research, so I didn’t want to buy a new if not needed.) After testing and replacing the thermostat, and after adding fresh coolant, I let the bike idle for 15-20 min without the rad cap. I then rode it around for 5 - 10 minutes (with rad cap, of course). Once parked, I pulled the rad cap off and let it idle for a few minutes. While the rad cap was off, I keep looking at the coolant level waiting for it to drop. But that never happened. In my limited research, it sounds like once the thermostat opened, I should have seen a drop in coolant level. Keep in mind, there is not a reservoir bottle/tank on this bike so when viewing the level of fluid, you are looking directly into the neck of the fill port and into the radiator.
Near the end of all of this, I stuck my finger in the neck/fill port and noticed that the coolant temp was warming up. After a few minutes, it was warmer. Is this a sign that the thermostat opened? If the thermostat never opened, the coolant in the radiator would not be warm, right? The coolant would only be warm if it came from the engine, correct?
Sorry for being long winded. Please let me know your thoughts.
Side note – during all of this, I never heard the fan come on. I will check on that to make sure it is working. But the fan turning on and the opening of the thermostat are independent of each other, right? I know they both are related in that they cool the bike, but they do not interact and work off each other, correct?
I have an older ATV (2002 arctic cat 400), which has a Kawasaki liquid-cooled engine. I recently bought this bike on the cheap. I am doing some overdue maintenance on the bike and one of the items I am addressing is changing the coolant. I flushed the system and added new coolant. The specs call for 3 quarts, but I was only able to add around 2 quarts of coolant. I am guessing that when I was flushing the system, the thermostat never opened, so the remainder of coolant (the other qt.) never left the motor. Does this sound logical?
Prior adding new coolant, I pulled the thermostat and tested it on the stove. It seems to open/close just fine. (replacement thermostat is like $60, based on my limited research, so I didn’t want to buy a new if not needed.) After testing and replacing the thermostat, and after adding fresh coolant, I let the bike idle for 15-20 min without the rad cap. I then rode it around for 5 - 10 minutes (with rad cap, of course). Once parked, I pulled the rad cap off and let it idle for a few minutes. While the rad cap was off, I keep looking at the coolant level waiting for it to drop. But that never happened. In my limited research, it sounds like once the thermostat opened, I should have seen a drop in coolant level. Keep in mind, there is not a reservoir bottle/tank on this bike so when viewing the level of fluid, you are looking directly into the neck of the fill port and into the radiator.
Near the end of all of this, I stuck my finger in the neck/fill port and noticed that the coolant temp was warming up. After a few minutes, it was warmer. Is this a sign that the thermostat opened? If the thermostat never opened, the coolant in the radiator would not be warm, right? The coolant would only be warm if it came from the engine, correct?
Sorry for being long winded. Please let me know your thoughts.
Side note – during all of this, I never heard the fan come on. I will check on that to make sure it is working. But the fan turning on and the opening of the thermostat are independent of each other, right? I know they both are related in that they cool the bike, but they do not interact and work off each other, correct?
3
Posted on 10/20/21 at 12:27 pm to Goldensammy
Should have gone for that older 300 model with the Suzuki engine and the super low gearing.
Posted on 10/20/21 at 12:33 pm to auggie
This one does have the hi/low option and low is super low. Dang near the levelnof the old honda 300s that had a super low gear. I think you had to click past reverse to get to it. I might be mistaken, though.
Regardless, it is still old and I need to figure out the issue I asked about above. Can you help?
Regardless, it is still old and I need to figure out the issue I asked about above. Can you help?
Posted on 10/20/21 at 1:02 pm to Goldensammy
How much came out when you flushed? Everything you said makes sense and I think you’re likely fine. I’m more familiar with air cooled bikes but to me the coolant warming implies the thermostat opening and everything circulating. Is the radiator elevated enough above the fill point that it could trap air? Has the bike done anything to indicate it’s overheating under a load?
Posted on 10/20/21 at 1:07 pm to Goldensammy
quote:
Regardless, it is still old and I need to figure out the issue I asked about above. Can you help?
I wish I could, but I can't. I have always stayed away from water cooled motorcycles and 4 wheelers.
Posted on 10/20/21 at 1:09 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
Unsure in the amount that came out. I didn't save that. I need to jack it up & run it to see if that changes anything. Might do that this evening if I can find the time.
Posted on 10/20/21 at 1:22 pm to Goldensammy
quote:
remainder of coolant (the other qt.) never left the motor. Does this sound logical?
Yes. Your level isn’t dropping when the thermostat opens because the block was full.
The thermostat is opening as indicated by your stove test and your fluid warming up.
Posted on 10/20/21 at 2:34 pm to Bigfishchoupique
quote:
Yes. Your level isn’t dropping when the thermostat opens because the block was full.
The thermostat is opening as indicated by your stove test and your fluid warming up.
So does everything seem okay here? I still need to raise the front end and run to ensure their is no air in the system. I've been told to try this, just to be sure.
Other than that, all seems good?
Posted on 10/21/21 at 12:00 am to Goldensammy
I’m not familiar with that bike, but others I have messed with have an air bleed off near the thermostat. You have the bleed the air out while the bike is running. After draining and filling you could have air pockets that may take a while to work out. But that wouldn’t account for a quart, maybe just a few ounces. I’m betting the coolant didn’t drain from the block. Just keep an eye on it the first few hours of ride time and you should be fine.
Posted on 10/21/21 at 2:47 am to Goldensammy
quote:
I still need to raise the front end and run
I’ve never raised anything before to get the air out. Just fill it,run it, and watch your gauges. Should be OK.
Posted on 10/21/21 at 6:51 am to Goldensammy
There should be bleed screws at the coolant pump and thermostat to help get the air out.
I would also recommend a TrailTech TTO for continuous monitoring of coolant temperature.
Disconnect the fan and apply 12vdc directly to it. You want to make sure it works before you start troubleshooting the rest of the circuit.
Good luck.
I would also recommend a TrailTech TTO for continuous monitoring of coolant temperature.
Disconnect the fan and apply 12vdc directly to it. You want to make sure it works before you start troubleshooting the rest of the circuit.
Good luck.
Posted on 10/21/21 at 10:05 am to ManK
This morning I drove it for a bit to warm up the engine. Raised the front end a foot or so. I tested the fan before hand. It works. Once raised, I let it idle for a good 10-15 min checking the coolant level periodically. It never dropped, but the coolant in the radiator was warm. Fan did kick on during this. I never really saw a drop in fluid level. Top rad hose (going to water pump) was hot as was the return hose (from engine to rad). Since both were hot the thermostat must be working, right?
All seems good. Any thoughts?
All seems good. Any thoughts?
Posted on 10/21/21 at 12:11 pm to Goldensammy
I’d keep checking it every so often but it sounds like everything is working as it should.
Posted on 10/21/21 at 3:18 pm to Goldensammy
The level won't drop because your block didn't drain. You are overthinking this.
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