I just bought a Kodiak 450 yesterday from the dealer. I love it, but while I was out for a ride yesterday, the temperature light came on. I stopped to let it cool down for about 20 minutes, but it didn't go off. (ended up getting towed home...didn't want to chance riding it with the light on). The light did go off after I got home, but the same thing happened again today after riding only for about 20 minutes through a groomed trail.

I noticed that the fan had been cutting in & out earlier that day, but when the temp. light came on, the fan was not on, and has not cut in since.

I did have to use the winch to get me out of a hole shortly before this happened...I'm wondering if the winch may have tripped a fuse that allows the fan to work??? The ATV was running perfectly before I got stuck and had to use the winch.

I'm going to call the dealer tomorrow and ask them about it, but I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem?

 

Anyone???

 

Do you think youi might have gotten your radiator clogged up with mud? This is what happend to mine. Keeping the radiator as clean as you can is a must on water cooled atvs.

 

yeah, I checked that...looks clean! Any other ideas???

 

The winch may have had something to do with it like you said. Did the dealer install the winch? If so take it to him like it is, if not then remove the winch incase the winch is the culprit. From most of what I have heard the dealer will try to blame whatever he can on you. Of course all this is assuming the winch is the problem to start with.

One more thing to check is your water pump. Its located down on the right side between the floorboard and motor. You should see a clear plastic tube hanging down from it. If it hasnt been running you will need to start it and let it idle for 3 or 4 min. Hopefully you wont see it leaking. I havent heard of any late 01 models and up with the newer waterpump leaking. I had one of the first ones and I had to get mine replaced.

As you probably already know the Kodiak has two thermostats. One is on the cylinder an this one controls when the temp light comes on. The other one is on the radiator and this one controls when the fan comes on. So what can happen is the water pump quits pumping, the water doesnt circulate, the engine gets hot and the temp light comes on. In return the fan never comes on because the antifreeze in the radiator isnt hot like the anifreeze in the motor. This would explain why your temp light comes on but the fan never runs to cool it down. This is exactly what happend to me,...twice. I now have the newer pump and havent had any problems since.

Keep me updated on what you find out.

 

It worked good until you got stuck. I'd say the radiator is clogged even if it does not look like it. Use a flash light and shine a light through it. if you can't see throught it very well it's clogged. alot of times you can clean one with a hose and it will still be clogged up in the middle of the tubes or on the back of the radiator next to the fan.

 

KOD,
Are you going to upgrade to a Kodiak 450? Just curious.
Thanks

 

Probably not Dezdude. I had planned on buying one for my wife to ride and then found a great deal on a 2002 650 Prairie. Also the 650 is wider and more stable than the Kodiak is, which was better for her. After riding the 650 and feeling its power it would be hard to spend $6000 on the Kodiak and for another grand get another 650. But, I will never get rid of my Kodiak on trade in. It does to good to trade in. I honestly think its got some turtle and duck in it because its amazing in the water. I would hate to trade it off and get a new atv and water ride like I do with it. Thats why the 650 will never see the water like the Kodiak does. I would expect the 450 to be just as good in water but you never know. The Kodiak is a tough atv and I highly recommend one.

 

KOD,
Thanks for your reply about the Kodiak 450. I have seen some of your pictures of you on your Kodiak and you really do go deep! I have gained a lot of info. from you in this thread and do appreciate it. I have been researching for a quad for all long time and I do want to get the right one for me. I always keep going back to the Kodiak. One of the things that I like about it is the size. I tend to like things on a smaller scale because I like to ride in real tight mountain trails. I only wish they would have make the KOD a 500 instead of a 450 (421cc) because the extra power would have probably made my decision for me. The 660 Grizz is appealing but I am concerned about some of the problems: overheating, gas boiling, sputtering, weak floor boards, gas mileage etc. However, I do think I would like the IRS ride, but am not sure about the body roll and top heaviness of the 660. The Kawasaki 650 does interest me also and I would like to hear more from you if you get one because I do respect your opinion. It seems that the 650 has less problems than the Grizz. I would be a bit concerned about the maintenance of the 650 due to the fact that is a twin and not a single cylinder. I am concerned about gas mileage on these big bores because I do like long rides and do not like to have to haul a lot of gas with me. I do ride in a lot of off camber situations and want a wheeler that will do well in this situation. I live in the desert (thus the name Dezdude) where it is all sand and rocks, so mud and water is not an issue (too bad, I would love it). I have a cabin in the mountains and really like to ride in the trees. The elevation is about 7,000 feet, so I do not want to loose too much power, riding at that height. Anyway, any comments that you can share would be really appreciated.
Later,
Dezdude

 

Dezdude, thanks for the compliment. I have already bought my wife a 650 and we really like it. Its without a doubt the best riding non IRS I have rode. The power and stability is first rate also. It is much more stable than the Kodiak. It is a little wider though, I would say around 5". So far I have 80 miles on it and I did have to adjust the belt deflection already. From what I have heard and read in here and other forums the belt deflection specs are at the upper limit. I have heard this is to keep the belt from chirping at the dealer. Nothing is wrong with the chirp but a potential buyer my be persuaded not to purchase it if hearing the noise. Anyway, I adjusted the belt and I do hear a chirp but its better now. What will happen is when the belt gets to loose you will hear the chirp on take off and that isnt good. This is the only thing I have had to do to the 650. I must admit the Yamaha belt design is much better than Kawasaki is. One good thing is you can be at the belt in 1/3 the time it takes to get to the Yamaha belt. The 650 belt is listed as a normal wear item also. Gates has already came out with a replacement belt for our Kodiaks for $60 in a high priced catalog Im looking at. Im sure Gates will make one for the 650 soon. So far the only negative thing about the 650 was the belt. Everything else is great and I suspect it will continue that way. Im not taking anything away from the Kodiak but its clearly outclassed by the 650 when you compare the two together. Got to run this site is about to be shutdown for maintenance.