As with any motorized vehicle, it’s definitely concerning when your powersports vehicle’s engine starts to overheat. An overheating engine can be damaged by further driving, resulting in expensive repairs to your cooling system and other vital motor parts. This is why it’s essential to know what the signs of overheating are and what you can do to minimize this risk.

Cowboy Powersports in Beaumont is your Texas powersports vehicle headquarters. Read on to learn some strategies for dealing with your powersports vehicle when it overheats, in addition to taking action to prevent engine overheating in the future.

Prevention

1. Optimize Your Cooling System 

Making sure that the cooling system in your powersports vehicle’s engine is well-maintained is a key step in preventing overheating. Clean the radiator out on a regular basis to remove dirt, grass and other debris that can obstruct it and prevent it from running. Always use coolant that is designed for usage specifically in powersports vehicles and check the levels at least once a month.

2. Always Do a Pre-Ride Inspection

Giving your vehicle a thorough inspection before you ride is always a good way to prevent problems from arising. Check over all the systems and look over your engine to make sure you have sufficient coolant, fresh gas and clean oil.

3. Add Some Aftermarket Parts

There are some parts you can install on your engine to help prevent overheating. A high-pressure radiator cap will help make cooling more efficient. A recovery tank captures extra coolant and feeds it back into your radiator. And a digital radiator fan helps to provide airflow even when your vehicle is idling.

Coping With Overheating

Of course, despite your best intentions, you may still have an engine that overheats on the trail on a hot, sunny afternoon. Try to catch the problem as soon as possible so that you can pull over safely and turn off the engine. Signs of overheating include:

  • A sudden loss of power
  • Fluid dripping out
  • Ticking noises
  • Sweet smells
  • Steam rising

Once your engine has cooled down, you can begin to inspect it to uncover any obvious causes. However, if you can’t figure out what’s the matter, it’s best to get your powersports vehicle towed to a professional mechanic as soon as possible. In fact, the service team here at Cowboy Powersports would be more than happy to assist you with your powersports vehicle engine issues!

Looking to buy a new powersports vehicle instead? Stop by our dealership in Beaumont, TX, today to view our inventory of new and used powersports vehicles for sale. Let our staff help you with financing options if you need them. Cowboy Powersports serves our customers coming from Lake Charles and Pasadena, TX