I'm really confused about the overheating problem with my 2000 sportsman 500. I had an overheating problem a while back, since then I've replaced the electric fan (wired direct to the ignition), cleaned the radiator, water pump impellor and the mechanical seal behind it (the coolant was leaking from the weep hole). Now it doesn't appear that I'm losing any coolant and it appears to be flowing fine when I remove the radiator cap, nothing appears to be kinked either.
The only thing that I can see it might be is that I put on a performance exhaust and header, K&N filter, clutch weights, spring and helix. The performance kit didn't call for a jet kit, only to raise the E-clip up one notch on the needle in the carb. It does seem to be running a little lean still, could this be causing it to run hot enough to keep tripping the red temp light?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]
Any advise that anyone can suggest would be greatly appreciated.

 

check the spark plug if u think its lean

 

Would running lean cause such and overheating problem??

 

yes it could. i just went from a 160 to a 170 and it runs quite a bit cooler now. but thats on a trailblazer

 

does your fan turn on?...i have same model an year and had same problem...if your fan doesn't turn on or doesn't turn off then chek your sensor...mine had corrodided...got new one for free from a dealer i do work with...i hitnk origanally 60 bucks tho...

 

DO you have a winch? I have seen winches directly block the air flow to the radiator which will cause overheating in a short amount of time, however if your winch is properyly mounted this should not happen, take the winch off and see how it runs. Also always buy high quality antifreeze that you have to mix your self, I have had bad luck with the pre-mixed antifreeze, I usuall y buy Ford Motorcraft antifreeze, I have not had any problems yet. A friend who races sprint cars gave me this tip, always run distilled water in your rad, Particles in regular water trap heat, he swears the distilled trick drops his temp down anywhere between 4- 10 degrees. Try combining some product liek water wetter to the mix they claim significant temperature drops, and I have heard from many people in this forum who say it works great.