Wolverine overheating

[NickH]

Halfway home on our ride Sunday my wolverine overheated. I got pulled over pretty quick and a buddy of mine I was riding with says to me, I bet your thermostat stuck, mine did on my RZR a few weeks ago. Sure enough, a few taps on the thermostat housing with a wrench and it opened up, the engine cooled down, the light went off, etc. 10 minutes later, same thing, figured it had some air in it at this point, tapped on the housing, filled the radiator and expansion tank up, rode ten miles, overheated again... tapped on the housing, light went out, started riding again and it overheated again. By this point we were less than a minute from the house so I just ride it back. Anyone ever have this happen? 6500 miles on my Rhino, 1400 or so on the wolverine and I've never overheated them. Even with mud and dirt packed radiators. Then the local stealership can't get me in till middle of November, so I just ordered the part. And he ordered a temperature sending unit instead of a thermostat. Then he wasn't sure if he could refund me because it was an electrical part. I made sure he was sure after a few minutes on the phone, but back to the point, anyone ever have a thermostat stick like this? It definitely wasn't open because you could hold the hose coming off the goose neck with bare hands before we tapped on it and it opened.

[jimclemjr]

It is imperative that these motors have the air bled from system when they get low needing water. I suppose that the air bubble at the high point that could collect around the tstat, could keep the hot water isolated from the pellet so not sensing the heat. Maybe the tapping disturbs the air bubble. But if me I would definitely replace tstat and bleed the system. If it was me based on my experience, since you said 'mud packed', I would pull the radiator and tank it to clean it. You'll be surprised how much dirt is in the fins.

[NickH]

Radiator is spotless thanks to the JBS guards. And I’m sure I had air in it after it boiler out the first time. But it’s never been drained or added to since new, never had a problem before the other day. Like I said, it’s like it just got stuck closed.


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[WV Hot Rod Rhino]

It's probably stuck open....they overheat with no restrictions

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[WALKABOUT WOLVIE]

I had the nut that holds on the lower sprocket of the oil pump come loose on mine...which drives the water pump...blue locklite and retorque! Just so you know, theres only 2 ways to get that cover off...pull the motor, or what i did was cut the upright frame weldment that blocks the ability to remove that cover, a little fab work later, removable frame weldment so if it ever happens again i can fix it in the field!!!

[buellpjw]

I had the nut that holds on the lower sprocket of the oil pump come loose on mine...which drives the water pump...blue locklite and retorque! Just so you know, theres only 2 ways to get that cover off...pull the motor, or what i did was cut the upright frame weldment that blocks the ability to remove that cover, a little fab work later, removable frame weldment so if it ever happens again i can fix it in the field!!!

you did not take a picture of your fab work did you ?? thank you for the info have not had time to dig in to it yet

[WALKABOUT WOLVIE]

you did not take a picture of your fab work did you ?? Thank you for the info have not had time to dig in to it yet

sorry, no i didnt...once you remove the rear fender well and fuel tank you will see that brace...cut it about an inch from both ends, weld on tabs to both ends of the piece you removed, and drill holes so you can remove it for service next time you need in there! Right or wrong, a couple buddys of mine cut that brace out and never put it back it...they beat the crap out of there wolvies and never had an issue! Lol...my luck aint that great so i made mine removable!

[buellpjw]

thank you for the information !! I do appreciate it I will most likely be doing 4 or 5 of these lol if my machine is loose then I will be taking a look at the rest of my buddys machines

[buellpjw]

I had the nut that holds on the lower sprocket of the oil pump come loose on mine...which drives the water pump...blue locklite and retorque! Just so you know, theres only 2 ways to get that cover off...pull the motor, or what i did was cut the upright frame weldment that blocks the ability to remove that cover, a little fab work later, removable frame weldment so if it ever happens again i can fix it in the field!!!

hum posted once don't see it ? did you happen to take a picture of your fab work ? I still have not had time to look at it yet and see what I have to do to get it off

[buellpjw]

Cant read it all on my phone right now but I am out at camp with a overheating one now you are saying with no restrictions it will overheat? My machine is overheating right away 2 to 3 min in sub below weather it was stuck open but I gutted it and tried again was this a wrong move ? I was thinking waterpump at this point I dont seem to have any flow and was wondering about oil flow because at this temp to overheat that quick just dont seem right and oil is not real hot but head is !