I have a 1996 sportsman 400 that has been great. It now overheats intermittantly. I have tried to spray out the radiator, I have seen that the waterpump works, I replaced the thermostat. It still trips the red "hot" light.

What next?? How aggressively should I clean the Radiator fins. I drive it in alot of deep swamp muck!
help!!!
BB

 

take it from me take out the radiator and clean it from the other side. i think you'll find its most likely plugged. looking at the front is very decieving. i just did my wifes 450 this weekened.

 

Thank you!!!! I am going to do it tonight!!!
BB

 

Please post back to tell us what you found....caper....

 

Stendori -

On my plugged 450 Rad, I just removed the
top front cargo box (a few star screws),
no biggie and I could get to most
of all the RAD, good reach with a regular garden
hose. No more overheating!

Cheers!

R'

 

Make sure the fan is working.

 

rtick, thats good. on my 800 i took off my box to get at the radaitor. on my wifes 450 i just took the front bumper(4 bolts) and the front screen (4 screws) then pulled off the side (plastic) protector. from there i was able to pull 4 bolts from the fan and unplug it and you can slide it right out. that way you can get the whole rad. behind the shroud real good w/out pulling the rad. out of the bike.

 

Good tips!

R'

 

Great info. I took off the right side plastic plate and easily reached the radiator. I flushed the radiator from front and back with a nosel. I then disconnected the two wires on the thermostat switch on top of the radiator and wired in a 10 amp single pole, double throw switch. I mounted it in the left side body panel behind the rack for protection. I now can manually turn on and off the fan, but only while the ignition is on. I am going to take it hunting today after I finish rounds in the hospital and see if it runs HOT.
Thanks!
BB

 

Neptuigan -

Do you have the specs, diagram on how to
wire the manual fan switch? What are all the
parts, and where can you buy them?

Much obliged..:8

R"