I've got a 2000 SP 500 and this winter I had a leak in my coolant system. It turned out to be a loose fitting, so it was easy to fix. I'm not sure how much coolant I actually lost, but after tightening the fitting, I topped off the radiator and the overflow tank (to the min level line). I had no problems plowing and taking short rides until the weather warmed up and I started taking longer rides. Now when the engine gets hot (like when I'm ride up long, steep, rocky hills), I've got coolant pooling in the skid guard right under the overflow tank. As far as I can tell, it is coming out the top of my overflow tank. When the engine cools down, the coolant level goes down in the tank and doesn't seem to be leaking anywhere else. When the engine totally cools off after I shut it off, the coolant level drops so that there isn't even any in the overflow tank. But I know there's still plenty of coolant, because the next time I ride, it overflows out the top again.

Is this something to be worried about? Is the engine overheating or did I just overfill the whole system when I topped it off this winter? I don't notice that the fan is running more than usual. Will it stop overflowing once the coolant level drops to normal capacity? Is it normal not to have any coolant in the overflow tank when the engine is off?

 

no thats not normal to have no coolant in the tank at any time.first thing is the rad. plugged form mud, back or front? the systems only holds about 2 1/2 qts.if its coming out of the tank, itis overheating. you said the fan is running, is the hot light coming on? when the machine is cold it should be on the minm line and when it warms up it can go up to the max line. this is the normal operation of the tank.

 

Mornin 99ajax
Your problem don't sound good, Your overflow tank should not be empty, Check your radiator, is it full? Pull your radiator cap and when it gets warm, sea if it pushes water out the top, Sounds like it > MIGHT < be a head gasket leakin and puttin pressure inside your motor and blowin out the water, Had a old Chevy 327 do that once,
Just a thought,,

 

Fortunately this was an easy fix....I replaced the radiator cap, which apparently was leaking pressure. I just took it out for a 20 mile ride (including a mile-long steep climb) and the coolant never even got to the full mark on the overflow tank.