Hello. Last weekend after riding around over some very marginal trails (terrible snow), my warning light came on -- just the warning light -- no other lights. I stopped immediately and let her cool down, then rode again. After a time the one light would return -- this happened 3 times. I soon got to a nice field with some powder and lots of steam was coming off of the front of the engine and as I rode through the powder -- but the machine seemed to cool down after that and I got home -- no more lights. At home when I inspected the machine I noticed the coolant level in the reservoir was way down. I have since filled it. My question is should I be worried about this before I ride again? Is it normal for the Viper to "ingest" coolant? How difficult is it to blow/burn a head gasket on a Viper? How does one check to see if a head gasket has been compromised? What I don't want to do is ride again and burn the machine up. BTW -- I'm getting a good oil mixture (verified with plug inspection) so I'm not running hot for that reason. Thanks!
Coolant question...
Also -- I cannot find any leaking coolant anywhere on the machine -- not near engine or reservoir, none leaking from any heat exchangers, none on the machine (inside or underneath) -- so the machine must have "ingested" the coolant -- and enough so the reservoir was down 2-3 inches.... Thanks!
Also -- I cannot find any leaking coolant anywhere on the machine -- not near engine or reservoir, none leaking from any heat exchangers, none on the machine (inside or underneath) -- so the machine must have "ingested" the coolant -- and enough so the reservoir was down 2-3 inches.... Thanks!
2strokinit
New member
Coolant
Was it hot when u checked coolant ((Im assuming u checked while on trial)), . It will build pressure when hot just like a vehicle, no pressure, then worry. Head gaskets are cheap btw and you can have a good look around if you pulled heads off. Why take the chance!!
The water pump is driven off the crank like a SRX, and has a seal down there also. The oil line is routed near the carbs..
Take the time and dig into it!!
Was it hot when u checked coolant ((Im assuming u checked while on trial)), . It will build pressure when hot just like a vehicle, no pressure, then worry. Head gaskets are cheap btw and you can have a good look around if you pulled heads off. Why take the chance!!
The water pump is driven off the crank like a SRX, and has a seal down there also. The oil line is routed near the carbs..
Take the time and dig into it!!
I confess I did not open the coolant reservoir up on the trail, should I have? I looked through the plastic reservoir and noticed the level had dropped considerably. But there is no visible coolant leakage anywhere.... Will it ingest coolant if engine getting warm?? Incidentally, I installed Tom Hartman's Ski Scratchers this morning and I drove around today. Not too far, but a dozen or so miles. No light came on and no noticeable drop in coolant, But then again, very short ride.....
If there is pressure in there then I'm good? No pressure then stop riding??????