I have had the normal over heating bug that must people have in the summer with mud getting in the radiator and so on. But now I am stumped. The last two days when plowing snow not over 10*F. I have had the temp light flashing. The radiator and overflow jug are both full; radiator is 90% clean; mixture roughly at 50/50; and the water pump seem's to be working find.
I left the cap off while idiling for about 10min. to see if maybe an air pocket had formed, but this did not solve the problem. If any one knows of a solution or something I am missing any help would be welcomed.

 

Maybe you have bad temp sensor? Just throwing ideas??
2 cents worth

 

Possible lean fuel mix too.

 

Have you checked to make sure that the cooling fan is cycling on when the engine heats up. The fan on mine runs quite often when plowing (high load, slow speeds). If it's not, that could be the problem. Also check for snow blocking airflow to the radiator. Melted snow can form ice in strange places when the temp drops. LOL.

 

I would agree with the previous reply, in the winter your going to be on the lean side, take your fuel mixture screws out a turn or so, if that doesnt help you may need a larger pilot

 

With snow, the snow might be getting clogged in front of the engien which causes the engien to over heat. Its like insulation to the motor and causes you r prob. Just like in the winter in flordia and there is a freeze coming, the farmers water down the fruit and let it freeze over to keep them warm.Make sure all of you cleane out the snow after a little bit of riding to keep the temp down.

 

I've gotten a little snow over the plow blade, but I don't think enough to block but I'll check next time. Last winter I was hitting 3-4' drifts hard and didn't over heat. My feeling is it might be the mixture. Thanks for the input guys

 

Your coolent mixture is easy to test, if that is what you mean. If you are talking jetting, I truely doubt that on a stock machine jetting would contribute to overheating in your situation. I believe it is being caused by the fan not coming on. That will be easy enough to check, the next time you temp light comes on, lean over a look to see if your fan is spinning.

 

You say your rad is 90% clean. Its that other 10% that is your problem. Your rad HAS to be 100% clean or it will over heat summer or winter. Been there done that!

 

The fan is working fine. I put the K&N jet kit in and did the back to front jet swap that most people said worked for them at my altitude. We're getting more snow tomorrow (they say) so I am going to try to clean the fine dirt that is still in the radiator..