Overflow Bottle
The overflow bottle on most all ATV and side-by-side machines is a translucent white and you can easily see how much reserve coolant you have. You can sometimes follow the small tube from just under the radiator cap to the reservoir. If this bottle looks discolored or like the fluid inside is more of a muddy stained coffee cup, then you need to dig deeper into the cooling system. Always be sure the reserve level is where it should be as marked on the coolant reservoir.
Aftermarket Coolant Additives
There are many aftermarket branded coolant additives and replacements. These are either meant to be used with water or existing coolant and some replace the cooling fluid altogether. One coolant replacement that is very popular with the racing side of our industry is Evans Coolant. This product replaces the green or orange fluid (factory coolant) in your radiator completely.
These types of replacement coolants also require the engine be completely flushed before installing so read the directions first. Evans Coolant, for example, not only seems to cool better but is touted to eliminate corrosion, will not freeze and raises the boiling point of normal coolant from 226 to more than 345 degrees F, which is far over the normal operating temp of any gas engine. This would be great insurance for any ATV or side-by-side.
Larger Radiator
The radiator in your machine is built to specifications that allow the engine to run properly and at the correct temperatures. However, if you plan to race or abuse (push or be aggressive) your machine to higher performance situations and drive long periods without dropping the foot pedal a lot less, then maybe a larger radiator is in order. Giving the engine more coolant and cooling surface is a good way to protect you from your own neglect or oversight.
Now let’s look at another potential death sentence during high heat riding.
Clean Fresh Oil
This should be a no-brainer to the true enthusiasts out there. If you allow your oil to degrade by not changing it regularly you will cause the temperatures in your engine to rise to unsafe levels. In combination with the radiator service you must keep fresh oil in your motor. Oil can lose lubricity and does act as a cooling agent to the internal parts of your motor. Metal on metal with no lubrication is a heat generating machine killer so remember to change that engine oil every spring or more often, depending how hard you are on your rig.
