I have a 97 sportsman 500 and was out plowing snow. The coolant after awhile started running out from the reservoir. The over heat light didn't come on. Is the coolant level too high? I read a few past posts about overheating and a fan was mentioned...I don't hear a fan. Does a fan make enough noise to be heard over the motor running? The bike ran fine but it would smoke from the coolant running over. Any help is most appreciated.
Thanks
B.

 

If the fan were to go on you can hear it. What do you mean smoke...? I just had to replace a head gasket on my 500 Scrambler, it was not overheating but after awhile of runnig it would spit coolant out because of a blown head gasket but it wasn't buring any coolant it was just putting pressure into the coolant system until 13PSI of the radator cap then would spit it out.

 

It's not smoke it's steam from the hot coolant running out the cap of the reservoir.

 

if you leave it running long enough the fan would come on. make sure the radiator isnt plugged w/ anything including snow.dont assume the light would come, it might be defective itself. if its not plugged then check all hoses to see if there all hot so you know that the thermostat isnt stuck closed. like 03scam said it might be a blown head gasket. just some things to check.

 

Ok it sounds like you do have more of a overheating problem just check the stuff that stendori mentioined. How does the coolant look and when was the last time it was flushed?

 

Thanks for the info. The coolant looks like coolant. The coolant level is at the max level, I added coolant because the reservoir was almost empty. I will check the things that were mentioned above. I bought used awhile back and hadn't had any problems until today. Thanks again.

 

Make sure fan is coming on you should certainly hear it. There should be a plug going down to the right side of radiator temp sensor that if you jumper should make fan come on. Not sure on a 97 though, had one on my 02 that sensor had gone bad on. Also check for blockage on fan (can you spin it by hand) Haaad ice freeze in mine once caused it not to spin at all.

 

upnort is right you should be able to hear the fan running at least when you're idling , the only time you might not hear it ; would be riding at a good clip or at high rpm's ! Good luck to you , and i hope it's nothing costly ! .................williebee

 

unhook the temp wires at the top of the radiator and jumper them together, you should hear the fan run. also check the cap, if you have a bad cap it will allow too much coolant to spill into the overflow bottle.

 

If you do need a radiator cap don't buy one from you dealer it will be $30 and they will have to order it, when you can go up to your local Napa and pick up the identical cap for $6. I can go find the part number if you need it.
Jason