How Does Snowmobile Cooling Work? (All You Need to Know)

Anyone who loves harsh sports on snow knows a lot about snowmobiles. Snowmobiles are vehicles that run on snow and work on it. It runs through a mechanical engine. The engine needs to be kept cool for better performance of the snowmobile.

How does snowmobile cooling work?

A snowmobile cooling works in two ways. The fan cooling system uses a ventilation method to ward off the hot air from the engine. And a liquid cooling system uses a coolant that retrieves heat from the vehicle’s engine. Then the heat exchanger receives the heat from there and cools down the engine.

Fan cooling systems are not in use nowadays. The snowmobiles manufactured at present are mostly liquid cooling system ones. These vehicles are durable and long-lasting in terms of performance.

How are snowmobiles cooled?

Snowmobiles are vehicles that run on ice. Although they run on ice, they can get heated after using for a long time. For cooling your snowmobile, you need to prepare beforehand.

When your vehicle is in motion, the motor gets heated as time goes by. If you ride it for a long time, the engine can even overheat.

Snowmobiles can cool down in two ways. They are:

Fan cooling
Liquid cooling

Fan cooling

In fan cooling, a fan attaches to the back of your vehicle. This fan helps your snowmobile from the overheating issue. Else it may get dysfunctional.

The fan cooling system provides cold air continually to the motor and keeps it cool.

Liquid cooling

In liquid cooling, there is a coolant that goes into the reservoir of your vehicle. This cooling system is widely used by those who use snowmobiles for a long time.

How does snowmobile cooling work?

Snowmobiles cooling works through fan cooling and liquid cooling. But liquid cooling is widely used nowadays. It is a more efficient system of cooling than the other.

Liquid cooling uses a cooling agent to cool down your vehicle. It uses the method of increasing and decreasing the temperature quotients.

When snowmobiles run for a long time, its engine gets hot. The liquid cooling system uses the coolant inside it to cool down the vehicle. In this way, it can cool down while in motion.

Coolant uses its properties to control the temperature of the snowmobile engine. When the engine gets hot, it decreases the temperature of the engine fluid by reducing its freezing point.

The coolant also prevents the system’s liquid from evaporating by increasing its boiling point. It provides more duration and effectiveness to the vehicle by functioning for the internal parts for a long time.

A liquid cooling system provides high efficiency and durability. It also increases the performance of the vehicle.

Do Snowmobiles need snow to cool?

Riding a snowmobile, the snow on the track acts as a lubricant between the vehicle and it.

Snowmobiles run on snow. But modern construction facilitates the riding it on other terrains as well.

Liquid cooling snowmobiles need snow to cool down. These vehicles come with a reservoir for coolants. These coolants get heated if you ride them for a long time.

The snow from the track keeps the coolant bottle or reservoir cold from outside. It helps a lot for a smooth ride without overheating.

The fan cooling system does not require snow to cool down that much. But this system of cooling is not in use nowadays.

Are liquid cooled snowmobiles good?

Snowmobiles cool down in two ways. These ways are fan cooling system and liquid cooling system.

A liquid cooling system works based on a coolant. This system is powerful in terms of durability and usage.

Liquid cooling snowmobiles are more efficient and performing than fan-cooled ones.

Although liquid cooling systems are expensive, they make your ride smooth and long-lasting.

If you want a smooth ride with durability and longevity, the liquid cooling system is the best option for you.

What temp is too hot for a snowmobile?

Snowmobiles run on ice. So, the temperature should be low when you are riding a snowmobile. A snowmobile engine can overheat due to a lot of reasons.

Overheating can cause many problems. You do not want your snowmobile engine to overheat at any cost.

The temperature that is too hot for a snowmobile is somewhere between 160- 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

When the temperature increases, the indicators on your vehicle will show you and warn. You have to stop it immediately to cool it down.

How to cool down a snowmobile?

Fault in the snowmobile engine or riding the snowmobile consistently without a break can cause a snowmobile to overheat.

If a snowmobile engine gets hot, you must take some measures to cool it down. Cooling down a snowmobile requires a lot of precautions as well.

Steps on cooling down a snowmobile are:

Step 1: Stop your vehicle at first.
Step 2: Give it some time to rest before checking the engine.
Step 3: Open the pressure cap of the engine after it cools down.
Step 4: Check the coolant level on the reservoir.
Step 5: If the coolant level is low, fill it with more coolant.
Step 6: Check the manufacturer’s guide beforehand to know the level of coolant needed for your vehicle.
Step 7: After adding the coolant, wait for some time for adjustment and the engine to cool more.
Step 8: For riding the vehicle again, stop it from time to time to cool down.
Step 9: Check the engine’s temperature meter to know the level of heat in it.
Step 10: To keep the vehicle functional, you must not let your engine overheat. And cool it down immediately after it shows signs of overheating.

How to make a snowmobile run cooler?

The condition of the snow in which you are riding is vital for the engine of a snowmobile. The ice condition and availability must be enough for a smooth ride.

Smooth and adequate ice ensures a smooth ride in the vehicle. You can make a snowmobile run cooler following some steps and precautions. They are:

Choose your terrain:

Avoid packed ice terrains and also terrains with a low amount of ice. Run the snowmobile on spaces with dense loose ice to cool it with the ice.

Check instructions:

Always keep the coolant level of your vehicle as per the manufacturers’ instructions.

Check the vitals:

If you are using a fan cooling system, check the fan’s condition before riding the vehicle.

Take breaks:

If the vehicle gets overheated or shows signs of overheating, take a break from riding it.

Rear suspension softening:

To run the vehicle cooler, relieve the rear suspension.

Bleed screw:

Loosen the bleed screw from time to time to let the air pass. And tighten it just after the hot air passes, etc.

These are some of the ways and steps which can help the vehicle run cool and smooth.

Why do snowmobiles overheat?

A snowmobile can overheat due to a lot of reasons. Some of them are:

Ice condition:

Snowmobiles can overheat due to riding on hard ice. The hard ice makes the vehicle overheat faster.

Loose ice coming in contact with the outer coverings of different parts helps them lose the heat. If the vehicle runs on less dense loose ice or hard ice terrains, it can overheat.

Temperature:

For fan cooling system snowmobiles, the air temperature can affect the vehicle and make it hot. The high temperature will overheat it faster.

Hardware dysfunctionality:

If the engine fan or the oil level is low, it can cause the snowmobile to overheat.

Running period:

Running the snowmobile for a long time at a stretch makes the engine use its fuel fasters. Thus the engine overheats.

Fuel or lubrication issues:

Every vehicle requires specific fuel. The use of the wrong type of fuel can overheat the snowmobile. Also, the lack of proper lubrication in it can cause overheating issues.

Ice blockage:

If ice builds up on the parts of the vehicle, it can overheat. The tunnel protector must be free of ice blockage.

Due to modifications:

Various modifications, like the snow slap, carburettor, exhaust system modifications, etc., cause overheating of the snowmobile.

Malfunctions:

Faulty ignition, electrical connections issues, water pump dysfunctionality, etc., can also heat a snowmobile.

How to keep a snowmobile from overheating?

Run the snowmobile with certain break times. Do not ride it for a long time at a stretch.
Check the fuel tank, coolant level, or cooling fan beforehand.
Avoid hard terrains with less or strong ice. Ride on snow surfaces with loose ones.
A secondary heat exchanger helps and prevents the engine from overheating. Install it beforehand.
High maintenance and efficiency are ensured if you keep your vehicle clean and check it regularly.
Keep an adequate amount of snow in the tunnel. Ice scratchers can help in this purpose.
You can install a snow flap to catch the thrown ice by the vehicle for use in the tunnel.
Before doing any modifications to your vehicle, remember that it can decrease its functionality.
Go over the manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly before you do any modifications to your vehicle.
Last and not least, you have to maintain your snowmobile for better performance.

So, make sure you give the cooling system to work properly to sustain your snowmobile for a longer time without any hassle.