[pjb153]

I was riding in low snow, hard pack conditions last year and my flap got sucked under on my 03 F7. The temp light came on. I could not really see if it was flashing or on solid because of the sun glaring on it. I shut it down quick

I felt the running boards and they were hot to touch. I then packed snow around them and cooled them a bit. The sled started right back up and I ran it in some powder to get the snow under the seat. I ran the sled for the rest of the day, about another 30 miles and took it home for the season.

My question is, what should I watch for and should I remove anything to check for damage. Anything I should do to prevent further damage for this season. How many of you had your machines get hot like this and had no problems?

I am afraid to really get on the throttle and have something blow that was weakened by the heat.

Thanks

 

[racinfarmer]

Kind of hard to say or not. Some sled will run fine with no problems, some won't. I ran a sled hot once and we neverf had any trouble with it, others have. I guess if you are really concerned about it, consult your dealer or start tearing the motor down. If you caught it right away, you probably don't have anything to worry about. I always look at it this way. For the most part, the motor is "cheap" to repair as compared to the rest of the sled (ie. hood, tunnel, suspension, etc.). :div20:

 

[jjkGURU]

anytime the snowflap gets sucked under for more than a min or two the temp light comes on. if it ran fine after i wouldn't be too worried about it though, a bunch of f-cats i know have done that (including mine). i think there's a new snowflap that won't get sucked under, or search and see how others rigged theirs.

 

[jeffh62]

same problem on my 03 if snow flap gets sucked in on a warmer day with low snow conditions it will overheat fast. As long as it wasn't this way for long I wouldn't worry no sense fixing something that is not broke...if a problem arrises fix it then. If an original snow flap get a new one from cat the replacement has more ribbing in it for support or put a strap on back of snow flap to bumper. The 03's have the weakest cooling system they made improvements in 04...do a searce you should fine more info on cooling system.

 

[mikef7]

bikeman has a cooling upgrade kit for $100, it is on his website.

 

[racinfarmer]

To keep your snowflap from getting sucked up, you could do the "Sno-Pro" fix. Just get some Nylon ribbon and drill a hole on each end corner of the snowflap and run the ribbon up and around the bumper and down to each corner of the snow flap and bolt in place. Got the idea from the Sno-Pros. Works on my friend's ZL really well.

 

[clemons]

do you have the sno flap update?


after mine was installed, it hasnt sucked up anymore....before, anything over 80 or so and my sno flap would suck right up....

 

[pjb153]

I don't have the update. I think I will do something similar with a piece of nylon strap.

 

[clemons]

thats all you have to do......


shouldnt be anymore cooling problems.....

 

[trex]

i bought a new flap last fall never sucked in once on my 03 f-cat last winter

 

[jeffh62]

Originally posted by mikef7@Sep 7 2005, 12:03 PM
bikeman has a cooling upgrade kit for $100, it is on his website.
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looks like the 04 bottle and 04 hose, I think it goes from 3/4 to 7/8 ?? I guess this is something but do you think it is much of a difference? I already have the 04 coolent bottle on my 03 but still have the original hose...just wondering how the bigger diameter hose would fit it correctly...it obviously does but I am misssing something here ??

 

[jeffh62]

ttt

 

[DonoBBD]

Pull the pipe off and the Ypipe. Take a look in and see if there is any scratches. If your fingernail will not catch on the scratch......drive the hell out of it.

 

[PAT]

from my point of view , i think you have to buy the 2004 hose 7/8 and the cap of the thermostat 2004 it also have a 7/8 exit instead of the 3/4 in 2003. But if someone can approve this let us know.

 

[pjb153]

Thanks,

I have to do some pre-season check list with the sled. I will probably check over all bolts, inspect the rails, bearings, suspension, pipe for cracks as well as pull the pipe and check out the pistons. Hopefully it will be a trouble free fall and I can just gas her, grease her and ride.

Any thoughts on what else to look over while I am wrenching?