What To Do If Your Powersports Vehicle Overheats

There are many maintenance concerns that a powersports vehicle owner needs to be aware of and take steps to prevent. One of the most serious of these concerns is overheating. Overheating in a powersports vehicle can result in serious damage as well as a hefty repair bill. Luckily, the right precautions can help mitigate the potential risks. Simply follow this guide from the powersports experts at Open Road outlet to help keep your vehicle functioning well.

Preventing An Overheated Powersports Vehicle

The best-case scenario will be to avoid overheating altogether. Luckily, diligent maintenance and a watchful eye will go a long way toward preventing a major malfunction. 

Optimize The Cooling System

All powersports vehicles have a cooling system meant to prevent overheating, and you should do what you can to ensure that these components function well. For example, radiators tend to become clogged with dirt, grass, and other types of debris over time. These obstructions can prevent a radiator from doing its job, potentially even leading to radiator shutdown and damage to your engines. To prevent this, clean out your radiator at regular intervals. 

When it comes to coolant, make sure that you are following the manufacturer’s guidelines on which products can be used in your vehicle and which cannot. Perform monthly coolant checks to make sure that you have enough and that the coolant is in good condition. If you discover a problem, fix it immediately. 

Install Aftermarket Parts

If you have taken steps to maintain your vehicle’s cooling system and are still concerned about overheating, many powersports vehicles have optional extras that can help. For example, a high-pressure radiator cap will increase your cooling efficiency, while a recovery tank will capture excess coolant and get it back into the radiator. Another option is to install a digital radiator fan. This part provides continual airflow when the powersports vehicle is idling but should not compromise horsepower or fuel efficiency in the way that a mechanical fan could.

Limit Idling

Another way to help reduce your risk of overheating is by turning off your engine when you plan to stop for more than a few minutes. This is especially true if your vehicle has an air-cooled engine, as these kinds of engines are dependent upon continuous airflow to remain cool. 

Dealing With An Overheated ORV

Though you should try to avoid overheating if possible, you should still know how to deal with it if it happens. Look for signs like power loss, dripping fluid, ticking noises from the engine, steam, or a sweet smell (this indicates burning coolant). When you realize that your powersports vehicle is overheating, find a place where you can pull over and stop for an inspection. Once things have cooled off enough for you to take a look, try to determine what happened. If you cannot determine the cause and/or cannot fix the issue, schedule a service appointment to get things checked out. 

To view our selection of new and pre-owned powersports vehicles, visit Open Road Outlet online or at our dealerships in West Saint Paul and Steinbach, Manitoba. We also have parts, financing, and servicing departments. We are proud to serve the province of Manitoba, and we welcome guests from neighboring Saskatchewan as well.