I am thinking of installing an oil cooler in between the oil pump and the oil reservoir and mounting it up by the radiator, but it occurred to me that the extra oil and restriction through the cooler could possibly put the oil pump under more stress than it was designed to handle. Has anyone installed an oil cooler on their Sportsman 500? had any problems? good idea or bad? I do alot of low speed rocky trails and the machine heats up pretty quick though it has never overheated.

Thanks in advance.

 

Have you considered maybe a heavier duty fan replacement? Advanced Sport Vehicles SPAL FANS Spal Authorized Distributor, Performance Parts And Accessories

 

No I didn't think of that. Would that be a better alternative in your opinion? Are there other benefits of using an oil cooler ie. Extended oil or component life? The main reason I haven't added the oil cooler already is just because I'm not 100% sure the pump can handle the extra restriction. I'm sure it will be OK but I've only had the machine for a few weeks and I don't want to ruin it!

 

The main thing is where to place the oil cooler to allow better cooling. Inside the area behind the radiator,etc isn't the best location because of all the heat already there from the radiator and engine.The oil tank itself (even though the newer ones are plastic instead of the old finned aluminum oil tanks) does provide a little cooling,plus most of the oil is in the tank at all times. That's the good thing about a dry sump engine versus a wet sump as the oil for the most part will run a tad cooler since it doesn't have all the hot oil in the engine at one time. I wouldn't do anything since you've just had the machine a few weeks in case of warranty issues during the first 6 months. If everything is working ok,these old 500s will last for years with proper care and maintenance just the way they are! "If" I bought one myself today it would be a Sportsman 500 H.O and I'd leave it stock..

 

Kind of pointless on a dry sump motor . The oil tank acts like a oil cooler in itself. The older alloy oil tanks even had cooling fins on them like mentioned to help cool the oil before returning to the motor.
The new oil tanks are just a cheap no cooling fin plastic bottle now.

You could go on ebay and buy one of the higher quality oil tanks from the older models.

Just use Snythetic 0w-40 and your never going to over heat the motor in any conditions.

 

Thanks for the input! I think I will just leave it stock for now and see how it goes. Since I made the first post I've rolled it over backwards trying to climb a hill and broke a few plastic parts, so much for not ruining it!

Cheers.

 

This engine will out last the body if you maintain it properly!! Still plenty of 18 year old 500s running around..