This is a interview of ALL ATV mechanics with some tips for ever Brand of ATV.

http://quad.transworld.net/200...mechanic-confidential/

When they talked to Polaris Mechanics they said this.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Another problem that blankets the Sportsman lineup is an issue with the radiator placement and size of the radiator itself. The radiators are easily clogged with dirt and mud, and because they do not wash out easily, they cause the engine to overheat. It was also mentioned by the mechanics we interviewed that the coolant system would benefit from upgraded coolant to help the engine run cooler. </end quote></div>

Other manufacturer's Mechanics mentioned this also, Proplem is they did not mention what coolant to buy!

I thought all anti freeze was the same,how does one cool better than the others.

 

Yes there are a lot of differences in anti-freeze.My cousin is a mechanic at a fire department and they have to keep 6 different types on hand for all the different trucks.The problem is you don't want your engine to run cooler,it needs to run in certain heat range to be most efficient.IMO keeping your radiator clean is more effective than fancy coolant or additives.

 

Good post. Maybe I'll do some testing and see what temps the XP operates at.
There is a waterless coolant...

http://www.evanscooling.com/catalog/C_npg1.htm


Also coolant additives that make the coolant more effective at removing heat...

http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp


Royal Purple makes one also, Purple Ice.
Also straight water(distilled of course,to prevent mineral deposit build up) cools better than a antifreeze mix,but offers no freeze protection obviously, or anti corrosion or water pump lubrication.
The higher the ratio of "coolant" the less efficient at removing heat the mixture becomes. The "water wetters"(they act like soap basically to reduce surface tension)offer anti corrosion and lubrication and better cooling properties,but do not lower the freezing point significantly if at all. Straight water with the additive will have the best cooling properties,but again offer no freeze protection.
Engines have a rather small optimum operating temp range,below that temp range wear is accelerated and power is reduced,above that temp range and likewise wear is accelerated and power is reduced,(Power reduction is especially noticeable on EFI machines that retard timing based on elevated engine cooling temps,they do this because detonation is more likely at higher temps)and if temps are extremely hot obviously engine damage can result. If a engine can be kept at the optimum operating temp range it will last longer and make more power.
Most modern internal combustion engines like coolant temps at about 180-190*F in my experience.

Side note-richer mixtures generally have lower ECTs while a lean mixture will cause higher ECTs,all other factors being the same.

 

HIGHOCTANE,

I've run the Redline Water Wetter before, and it does drop the engine temps by a couple degrees.

Do you think it would be worth running it in an ATV? (smaller amount of course)

 

DCT-It couldn't hurt. Is it necessary? No. But could it help an ATV run a little cooler? Yes. I will caveat that with saying that if you live in a colder climate and operate mostly at moderate speeds you probably won't gain much if anything in the way of lower temps. If you operate in warmer climates or do alot of slow and or high load riding it should help a little. BTW I imagine plowing snow qualifies for slow and moderate to high load right?

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: HIGHOCTANE

DCT-It couldn't hurt. Is it necessary? No. But could it help an ATV run a little cooler? Yes. I will caveat that with saying that if you live in a colder climate and operate mostly at moderate speeds you probably won't gain much if anything in the way of lower temps. If you operate in warmer climates or do alot of slow and or high load riding it should help a little. BTW I imagine plowing snow qualifies for slow and moderate to high load right?</end quote></div>

Thanks HO,

Yea, I would think plowing qualifies. Plus, in the summer we did some slow crawling over a boulder field that we like to cross. Didn't overheat, but the fan did kick in a couple of times.

Anyhow, I still have bottle of Water Wetter... think I'll put about half of in the ATV.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I've run the Redline Water Wetter before, and it does drop the engine temps by a couple degrees. </end quote></div>
With a thermostat in the engine how do you know the engine runs cooler?

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Doctorturbo

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I've run the Redline Water Wetter before, and it does drop the engine temps by a couple degrees. </end quote></div>

With a thermostat in the engine how do you know the engine runs cooler?</end quote></div>

The thermostat mainly prevents coolant flow until the engine is warmed up,providing quicker warm up. It can effect operating temp to an extent but does not control or maintain a certain temp. like your home a/c or heater thermostat.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>The thermostat mainly prevents coolant flow until the engine is warmed up,providing quicker warm up. It can effect operating temp to an extent but does not control or maintain a certain temp. like your home a/c or heater thermostat. </end quote></div>
Sorry I disagree.
Tell me this. What controls the temp of the engine then?

 

All components of the cooling system control the engine temp. The thermostat simply opens up at a given temp to allow water to circulate. The fan cools the circulating water and keeps the system from overheating... provided everything is sized, and works properly. If a thermostat "controlled" the engine temps, then any vehicle with a working thermostat would never overheat. Of course, if a thermostat doesn't open up, then the engine overheats for sure... no circulation of the fan cooled water.