Fan Cooled VS Liquid Cooled Snowmobiles

Two types of sleds, advantages and disadvantages to each. Which one's better? Is one better? In this video let's talk about how liquid cooling and fan cooling systems work and and discuss the pros and cons of each.
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[@kevinhackett1936]

Good to see you still getting videos out.

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks Kevin.

[@allan5401]

Great topic choice! Thanks for another awesome and informative video David!

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks for watching Allan.

[@Defamed.]

Informative like always. Love the blooper reel. Thanks for everything. 🛷💥

[@MyOldSled]

Hey HS. Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@scotsmanthompson9191]

Nice job, great breakdown

[@MyOldSled]

Thank you. Glad you liked it.

[@t-fent805]

My first sled was a 2002 ski doo GrandTouring 380f fan cooled ran like a beauty

[@MyOldSled]

Great little sled.

[@snowking55]

I like your comparisons Dave, many good points to consider. I've had good success with both. Another point is the liquid tends to be a bit quieter sled, again depending on how much sound deadener you have on your air cooled.

[@MyOldSled]

Yes, I know they say that and it kinda makes me chuckle…a quieter two stroke :)

[@escapingthegrind7000]

Great video, thanks for the upload!

[@MyOldSled]

Hey EtG, Thanks for watching.

[@ActuallyAndrewFishing]

Super informative as usual

[@MyOldSled]

Thank you Andrew

[@KCreations4You]

Wow soo glad you put in the part on Cold Seize. I live buy a lake and with all the carb issues I have had I would go there and WOT to see the color of my plugs. You may have just saved my 2 sleds! If you want ideas on carb issues I think I have seen a bunch in my first year lol

[@MyOldSled]

Hey KC. There are lots of different things that can contribute to cold seize, but thats a big one. Theres actually a lot of physics and depending on what paper you read, it can be pretty confusing, but basically. warm any sled up properly. Actually some guys I know with a TON of experience mentioned that to me and I thought it was worth researching more. Mostly, I just wanted to use the shrinkage joke. ;)

[@KCreations4You]

@@MyOldSled Good stuff, Thank you.

[@mainelymark2497]

Thanks for picking the citation to explain fan cooling, made me understand my old tundra 250 better!

[@MyOldSled]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching.

[@anicekid]

What year tundra?/ What color hood?/ normal or long track?

[@b01tact10n]

Great points! I love both! Gotta love that 670HO though that's one to hold on to.

[@MyOldSled]

Hey BAA, thanks for watching and commenting. Getting much snow in your neck of the woods?

[@b01tact10n]

​@@MyOldSled yeah alot of snow this year I just got done installing my skid. I replaced a couple of bearings and repacked the grease for the rest. I greased everything. I'm currently running my 1st Cat a barnfind 91JagDlx440LT LowGear for my bush trapping/logging 120 mile round-trips here in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta. I'd take your TundraLT, I love those slower 250 machines and I noticed I enjoyed my ride more than the fast liquids I rode😁

[@Mike011394]

Great video!

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks Mike. Feel free to share it! :)

[@scottmcnabb9122]

Get information David glad your still doing video's I've been riding for years I have a 2016 Polaris indy 600 liquid. And a 380 mxz 2005 fan cooled I ride both sleds your right they both have there advantages for sure love riding both of them keep up the great work love your videos cheer's..

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks Scott, great person to hear from. Wanted to be balanced on this. Thank you for commenting.

[@scottmcnabb9122]

@@MyOldSled Hey thanks David always enjoy your show you should do a video on staying on the trails its seem to be a problem the last two years were losing trails because people riding off the trails . Just something to think about possible . And how its impact the snowmobile clubs and local bussiness its definitely getting better but still not quite hitting home . My dad just turned 87 and still driving he's sled he's been driving seen the late 60's he is a inspiration to all snowmobilers .

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks Scott. I did do one on that a while back. Not very good, I've gotten better (I hope)...that topic has been communicated so much I'm not sure how I can make it fresh or better. But I will keep it in mind. Your dad sounds pretty cool. Where do you ride?

[@scottmcnabb9122]

@@MyOldSled Yeah that's right I do remember that one now forgot ..

[@shperax]

I had to stop yesterday and clear a tunnel snow jam cause my temp was starting to get high. The trail was super smooth and the temp was just right. Doesn't happen often but it does. That's on a 2022 Skidoo.

[@MyOldSled]

I can see that

[@rmitchell1]

I grew up with a 91' yamaha phazer and I use it as my backup sled or a quick ride around the house or if I'm itching a ride late in the season when snow might start melting but my main ride a 16' zr 6000

[@MyOldSled]

Always best to have a backup sled :)

[@allthingsdiymike1106]

I have had all fan cooled over the past 40 years, 565cc is the largest i have had (2019 arctic cat Lynx LT ES), i like simplicity and less cost. but even more so than all of this i wish skidoo would put an emergency manual start on almost all their 4 stroke sleds, maybe with some kind of decompression switch or something. This is what stops me from going 4 stroke. Over the past 25 years I have had 3 starter failures and 1 wiring failure and was so happy to have the pull start as backup to the electric start. thanks for another great video!

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks for watching and commenting Mike. My brother just bought a four stroke. What kind of riding do you do?

[@allthingsdiymike1106]

@@MyOldSled 9 out of 10 times I do solo riding in the adirondacks (upstate NY). I tend to pack all kinds of gear on my 2 up sled in case of breakdowns/getting stuck over night or even i ride out to another part of the state and i dont feel like riding back late in the day i will just rent a motel room for the night and stay over, so i always carry extra clothes. all trail riding. I am more of a putt around enjoy the scenery kind of person (20-40 MPH)and occasionally open it up on the lakes.

[@d.sparkes346]

I picked up a 2021 VK 540 fan last season. For me it’s perfect for a few reasons, the simplicity and reliability throughout the ambient temperature ranges is great, especially in the late season.

[@MyOldSled]

Very nice Yamaha...work horse, heated carbs...good machine. Thanks for commenting.

[@lucahoganyt4435]

I've personally had enough bad experiences with Yamaha utility sleds that I would steer clear of one for my style of riding from now on. But I guarantee you that machine will outlive the both of us combined

[@funtyes1970]

@@lucahoganyt4435 i dont like Yamaha sleds anymore cuz most Yamaha sleds are 4 stroke now it sad cuz Yamaha made very good snowmobiles in 80's and 90's

[@robandrews4925]

Another great video.... I'm finding with these wild temperature swings in southern Ontario a fan cooled sled might make more sense. Last week I rode (liquid cooled machines) Friday in + 1 with the machine running real hot, then Saturday was -20... in a span of only 24 hours.

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks Rob. Yeah its up and down a lot.

[@robandrews4925]

@@MyOldSled maybe worth mentioning that ice scratchers are pretty much a necessity on liquid cooled machines.

[@MyOldSled]

That another video. Can only cram so much in.

[@Darfur64]

I went fan cooled, got a '90 Ski-Doo Safari with the 447. Simple, cheap, going to use it to pull firewood out of the woods in the spring.

[@MyOldSled]

Nice sled. I wouldn't mind a Safari if I ever see a good deal on one. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@farmark457]

Good review and good point about bringing up prolonged warm up idle. My first liquid 600 I left it running at minus 25c while helping others unload and came back and it was over 3/4 on the gauge. But then again without a gauge how would you know ?? Thx for the lesson.

[@MyOldSled]

Still not a great idea to idle too long, but important to warmup…its freezing here right now, -20 something

[@raymondburelle3425]

Here is a tip when refilling your rad start it run it nose up on a snow bank or tilted on a trailer. so that you can force the air to the reservoir and get rid of the air in the system. because of the suspension setup most sleds are prone to trapping air at the back

[@MyOldSled]

Slow down there Ray :) I'll be doing a video on that... :)

[@raymondburelle3425]

@@MyOldSled sorry bud. My buddy and I love riding so much We went to the treadwell ice drags and entered our trail sleds it was sad We decided to go and build a dedicated ice drag sled. It's amazing the science that goes behind building one

[@MyOldSled]

LOL Nothing to be sorry for I was kidding. Love the engagement with the channel. Glad you enjoy the sport so much.

[@raymondburelle3425]

@@MyOldSled well what else are you going to do in the dead of winter right. Why not go and explore and see things. There is something special about riding a sled. Especially in deep powder it's like skimming across water, and flying at the same time

[@MyOldSled]

I know. I actually can't exactly explain it. I don't ride tons of miles like some people do, and I don't get enough snow to ride much of the year, and a lot of my local trails arent open, but I love sleds...working on them, playing with them...it's just a sled thing.

[@johnrafferty5266]

I like my liquid cooled sled for performance trail rides I would like to have fan cooled for all my trail work with the snowmobile club, trimming down branches repairing signs And general trail maint after dusk.

[@MyOldSled]

Hi John, Yeah I'd like a small fan cooled to play around with...one day...

[@billw2087]

Great video thanks for the insight. I'm newer to riding and use my sled primarily for ice fishing just wondering if there is a way to add fan cooling to a liquid cooled sled to gain the best of both with out having to use scratchers

[@MyOldSled]

Not really. I mean you could easily mount a fan on a sled but you’d have to build a shroud to direct air, and an air cooled engine has cooling fins.

[@loneranger8293]

Great video and knowledge sir! Open ended question I know but how warm is too warm for running a 2019 Polaris 550 LXT fan-cooled on a groom trail , single rider, no gear? Thanks!

[@MyOldSled]

Generally, 30-35F degree. Thanks for watching

[@lucahoganyt4435]

I ride in conditions where we heavily benefit from longer tracks and big power. So almost all my sleds have been liquid cooled. I did have a 1998 Arctic Cat Z440 that was fan cooled. The only advantage I noticed was on the very rare occasions where we have less than a foot of snow, the fan cooled sleds don't overheat as much. But most the time we have at least 3 or 4 feet of snow, and right now I'm on a 153" 800, so liquid cooled is the way to go for how I ride. But if I rode strictly trails, I'd probably look for a Polaris 550 fan. Overheating is annoying, so even though it would mean having not enough power, I'd look for a 550 fan if I rode strictly trails and nothing else

[@MyOldSled]

Great comment Luca, thanks for sharing.

[@lucahoganyt4435]

@@MyOldSled No problem. It's nice to see someone that actually responds. I remember a little while ago I left a comment on a video that I think was over 4 years old and you responded to it the next day. Nice to see a KZbinr that takes the time to read comments. Big fan, this is good content. Also, would you ever consider riding more off trail/backcountry? Or even just doing a video on why you would or wouldn't? I've never touched a trail in my life, only ever backcountry. So it would be interesting to see your perspective on the other side of snowmobiling that we call backcountry or mountain riding. Have you ever tried any backcountry style riding? Even ditch banging could count, that's a good way to learn the maneuvers

[@GarageWorx]

Both have their place. That's why you every sled head have to own one of each.

[@MyOldSled]

At least

[@djs600ho8]

Hey I’ve been watching your vids for the last 2 months because I’m going to kit out my 04 Renegade. I was wondering if your have ever changed out the running boards for snow eliminators etc and the best way to install them?

[@MyOldSled]

Hi Djs, I have not, sorry. I like my sleds stock. There are lots of guys on the channel who might be able to answer this.

[@markpinther9296]

Off topic.. sorry. Any suggestions for saddle bags on a older sled? 2000 Polaris 500 XC. I appreciate your videos. Always really well thought out and helpful.

[@MyOldSled]

Hi Mark, main suggestion - buy good ones! You wouldn’t think it matters but they can rip so easy at the seams etc. I did a saddlebag video a while ago. Have a look through my videos

[@markpinther9296]

My Old Sled : Will do! Did a cursory overview but I will looks again. thanks for the reply

[@martyfield694]

You skipped over the one other type, straight air cooled. My first sled was a 75' skidoo 245 TNT F/A. Colder it was the better it ran. I realize you have to go back to the 70's to find any air cooled machines. That thing was so light and so fun in trails. A 245cc twin with dual carbs, those pistons must have been tiny. The old adage applies "If I knew then what I know now" I would have kept both of my old ski doo's. The other was a 79' Blizzard 7500 340 liquid cooled. Both sweet rides in their day, both very collectable these days.

[@MyOldSled]

Skipped right over it...except the part right at the beginning where I said some sleds just having direct air, and only having cooling fins, and right after I said there are a ton of variations... ;) Actually a lot of old vintage sleds have straight air, but really comparing the two more common ones i get asked about.

[@MyOldSled]

Your TNT would fall in the same category a the polaris assault 120 I referenced.

[@reidmcnabb818]

I've owned both fan and liquid sleds, the liquids just run better all around, but i've never had any issues with fan cooled

[@MyOldSled]

Hi Reid, thanks for watching and commenting.

[@lincolnmarsh6404]

Hey David! Great topic. I'm curious about your point about fan cooled not lasting as long as liquid cooled. For example I have a few old three wheelers that have lasted for a very long time! How does a fourstroke that's air and old cooled compare to a fan cooled sled as far as durability and longevity?

[@MyOldSled]

Hi Lincoln. Its a point about the cooling system alone. Everything else being equal. Because thats the only way to compare. A fan cooled engine heats up and cools down, which causes wear and tear. A liquid cooled engine has a more consistent temperature as long as its operating properly. There are a myriad things which can affect the longevity of any vehicle, this is just one factor. As for air and oil cooled atv like my rancher, and sled, that really is comparing apples and oranges. Oil cooling is kind of in the middle: more efficient than air alone, and helps maintain oil viscosity etc in a 4 stroke, but is still not as efficient or consistent as liquid. As i always point out, im not a mechanic, just a nerd with a sled.

[@lincolnmarsh6404]

@@MyOldSled Very informative thank you for your response.

[@pinittowinit8481]

That is a good video I mostly agree👍 How are you feeling about the melt coming on Wednesday? I am a little bit scared

[@MyOldSled]

Sucks!

[@MyOldSled]

Mostly...you disagreed with the username comment didn't you :)

[@pinittowinit8481]

@@MyOldSled no I agreed with that one I have blown my fair share of motors😉

[@ourkid2000]

Always noticed that 550 is about the biggest fanner you'll find out there. I guess that's about the limit because of the cooling required? Like a 600 fanner would just run too hot to be practical?

[@MyOldSled]

Yeah 550-575ish kinda sizes...Yes, my understanding is that as they get much bigger they get harder to cool.

[@lincolnmarsh6404]

Also I'm looking into getting a atv this summer. First off I've been around ATVs and snowmobiles for a long time working on them and riding them so I have experience. I'm interested in two models. Yamaha Kodak 450 and Suzuki King quad 400. A comfortable ride is one of the Things I'm looking for and the Yamaha has independent rear suspension. But I really like the King quad being air and oil cooled for the fact that it's more simple. No coolent to worry about leeking and no coolent to change. What's your thoughts on these machines?

[@MyOldSled]

I cant comment much on the Yamaha, but I love the King Quad. I went from an outlander to a king quad and i couldn’t believe how nice it was to ride. Tons of power and so smooth.

[@lincolnmarsh6404]

@@MyOldSled What King quad did you have? Do you have any experience with the 400 King quad?

[@MyOldSled]

I ride a 750 king quad on an elk farm I work at for herding animals etc. Have a look at my atv track video.

[@kwadlife4106]

Is it normal for there to be a vacuum on the coolant system? On the bottle it shows it a bit low and when the sled cools down and I open it the level comes back up. Thanks man love your content

[@MyOldSled]

As coolant cools it contracts so yep. What kind of sled? Thanks for watching and have a Happy New Year!

[@kwadlife4106]

@@MyOldSled it’s a skidoo 600 sport. 600 carb. I just rebuilt it.

[@kfarms996]

I have a liquid cool Ski dooformula 500 SLS going pretty good no overheats nothing

[@MyOldSled]

Hi K Farm. Nice sled. Thanks for watching.

[@123starion1]

Hi david. I'm courious what idea is behind Ski Doo's 1000sdi engines with no thermostat

[@MyOldSled]

Hi Ragnar. The job of the thermostat is to isolate the engine from the radiator until it has reached a certain minimum temperature. Without a thermostat, the engine loses heat to the radiator so it takes longer to warm up. I would assume a 1000 cc engine produces enough heat its less if a concern, but I’m not sure. I know some guys run without a thermostat.

[@CaptinMidnight]

👍

[@MyOldSled]

👍👍

[@mikeh4960]

Good day I have a o2 skidoo touring 500f touring and no issues ,I've read that it's really a old 600 that they put in for insurance reasons ???Now I was wondering what the best older like o6-10 skidoo liquid cool is the most reliable for a cheaper prize??

[@MyOldSled]

Hi MIke, Sorry there are so many models and opinions, in my humble opinion it really isn't practical for anyone to give you a good answer to that question. I would suggest you have a look at the following site for specs and reviews on various models. YOu can click through the model years and get an idea. When you find one you like, you can start reviewing the listings online and see what kind of prices they are typically going for. Due to reduced supply and increased demand, the prices are so high right now. www.snowmobile.com/specs/2010.html

[@BorisJonsson]

Never stop riding ;-)

[@MyOldSled]

Ever? What about dinner?

[@tonystevenson7967]

i have an artic cat 2002 or 2003 800cc efi liquid cooled beast.. herein saskatchewan.. the previous owner was younger and i was hoping to get more preventative maintenance info on it etc but - there seems to be not much on youtube..... what are your thoughts on this machine? (engine good - bullet proof?.. what is the common issues with these machines? etc.. ) if you have the time i would certainly appreciate the tips Sir... ty...

[@MyOldSled]

Hi Tony, I'm sorry I don't have enough experience with that sled to give you any meaningful feedback. It seems to have some decent reviews. In terms of maintenance, best bet is hunt down the owners manual, but clean it thoroughly, use a good synthetic oil, maybe run some seafoam through it to clean injectors, throw a new set of plugs in it, grease any fittings you can find. The usual stuff.

[@lincolnmarsh6404]

What's your thoughts on a straight axle vs independent suspension on a atv. Pros? And Cons? To both?

[@MyOldSled]

Solid axel - fewer moving parts, maintenance much easier. Less break down. Ok if your running on flat ground. Independent - More consistent ground clearance, better ride on rough terrain.

[@lincolnmarsh6404]

@@MyOldSled Thanks again for the response. That's what I was thinking about the two designs. I think the independent suspension would be better suited for my riding style. Keep the great videos coming!

[@jimmiller7361]

Does anybody make a 700 fan cooled snowmobile? I like the 600 when it comes to liquid cooled, but when it comes to the fan cooled like you were explaining it doesn't have as much power and you have trouble keeping up with your buddies but if I had a 700 fan I'm thinking I'd be able to keep up easy without pounding on the snow machine.

[@MyOldSled]

No i dont think any fans are that size. There were a few in the 500 range (570 i think) Most were 440 and less.

[@I8U4FUN]

New owner of (4) 2002 Ski-doo MXZ's. (2)500, 600, 700's. Any chance on doing a short video on changing coolant and what to look for during the process? Never done it before, so I'm looking for some guidance. Howdy from Wisconsin.

[@MyOldSled]

Hey Guido. Welcome and congrats. Definitely will, not sure when probably after riding season but maybe sooner. Not hard drain it, get the front of the sled higher than the heat exchanger so the air burps out, let it sit, run it, monitor, add....

[@ourkid2000]

I'd say if you don't mind a little extra cost you can suck the stuff out of the reservoir and put new stuff in. Do that a couple times and it would be pretty close to a full change. Better than nothing right?

[@MyOldSled]

If it was me, I would just top it up until i could change it. Id be concerned about mixing without knowing whats in it.

[@garyrodrigues7433]

@My Old Sled I would definitely watch that video also. I would like to change the coolant on my 2000 Ski Doo MXZ 600 at the end of the season. I enjoy watching your channel, especially your maintenance videos. I live out in Eastern Ontario.

[@I8U4FUN]

I also heard a person should not mix green with blue coolant. Any truth to that?

[@johnalves14006]

I achly have an indy 488 fan cooled and a indy 500 liquid cooled I achly find the 500 preforms better when the 488 and 500 are bascly the same moter

[@MyOldSled]

Yes, liquid cooled has a performance edge.

[@raymondburelle3425]

It depends on your location the further north the more you would tend toward fan cooled the further south liquid cooled is better it let's you run later in the season

[@MyOldSled]

Hi Ray, depends on how you're looking at it. Further south tends to be lower snow fall = more road running = less snow on the heat exchanger.

[@raymondburelle3425]

@@MyOldSled that's true I found this year the trails were very hard packed. And I had to use ice scratchers as the new track I have wasn't throwing enough snow on my heat exchanger.

[@supremechiptunes2108]

Fan cooled for the grass drags 😝

[@MyOldSled]

Ever go to the grass drags in Caledonia ontario?

[@supremechiptunes2108]

@@MyOldSled Never been to Caledonia, no, but I'm hoping to go to the Aylmer Fair this year

[@MyOldSled]

Ah. They dont have them anymore, but they were at my brothers place. There are one or two old videos floating around.

[@supremechiptunes2108]

@@MyOldSled T'is a shame it's not around anymore

[@MyOldSled]

Hi lawn looks better now.

[@Pupperkins]

Hi

[@MyOldSled]

Hi back.

[@jacksoncornish4051]

Hey Dave Any idea why my rev is using coolant

[@MyOldSled]

If you mean the level of coolant is dropping, then its going somewhere it shouldn’t. Get a flashlight, go all around the cooling circuit. Check all the hoses, and connections for leaks. If its just a little low and you cant find a leak, a little can burp out the overflow at speed. If it looks dirty, or theres a black line in the reservoir, you might have a leaky head gasket.

[@darrellroeters4951]

Liquid cooled for me have been more reliable and longerlasting

[@MyOldSled]

Hey Darrell. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@boxmaker86]

Liquid cooled? I doont trust that new coolant not to freeze eh. I’ll stick to my 1969 Yukon King.

[@MyOldSled]

Probly safer

[@boxmaker86]

@@MyOldSled lol, see “Johnny Skeptical” - an old Yamaha promo for the 4 stroke sleds

[@stevemino142]

Liquid cooled snowmobiles are too complicated rads and hoses thermostats really not needed imo and if you bust a rad or blow a hose out on the trail somewhere your pretty well screwed...ski doo for the win

[@kadendeemert9448]

Great video!

[@MyOldSled]

Hey Thanks Kaden! Glad you liked it.

[@rayland8553]

Nothing better than a John Deere liquifire. Fast for their times with a great cooling system.

[@MyOldSled]

Lots of them still running strong. I was watching a video on someone rebuilding one of those not too long ago.