White Smoke

bubblehead80

New member
New to post but old to the web site. I let my kids drive my RTV around the yard every now and again. The other day they were driving (in low) and when I looked where they were at I seen white smoke coming off the righside. The white smoke was as thick as if it were on fire. When I went to look at it I couldn't find anything wrong until I started it and looked at the temp guage. It was way hot. Anyone had this happen and what was the cause? Thanks, Greg. </p>
 
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WELCOME TO THE FOUM !!!! </P>


Question is, smoke or steam ?</P>


If it was steam >>>>>>>></P>


Sounds like it overheated for sure. The engine fan flow probobly pushed the steam to your right side. Is your radiatorfan cycling proper ? Check your radiator fluid level. And also, make sure your radiator is not stopped up with debris. It could be thermostat sticking. Check everything,fluid, fans,water flow by sweezing the hose, and make sure your getting flow after it warms up.I would run it again ( in low range ) >>>>WHILE YOU aredriving it, and watch the temp and see what happens. If it starts getting to hot again. Shut down the unit and find the problem. It could be just the thermostat sticking..... </P>


Another thing you can do, and this would be the first thingto do,.... but be very careful, is raise the seat and take radiator cap off ( When the engine is cold ). Crank, Run the machine sitting still, and make sure you are the water pump is pumping after it has warmed up. BUT, do that only while you are just sitting still so you can look and see what's going on inside the radiator ......</P>


This is just my opinion, this is what I would do if it where mine >>>>>>></P>


Couple more questions, how old is this RTV, how many hours, and how often do you run this machine >>>>>>>></P>


<FONT size=4><FONT color=#ff0000> <FONT face=JohnHancock>~~~~~~ Two Guns ~~~~~~</FONT></FONT></FONT></P>


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I'll pile on with TWO GUNS.</p>

Welcome to the forum.</p>

It does sound like a steam/overheating issue.
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<P mce_keep="true">bubblehead80,</P>
<P mce_keep="true"> Did you shut down the engine as soon as you seen steam / smoke ?</P>
<P mce_keep="true"> Wouldn't hurt to take a close look at your oil quality, and make sure it has NO milky subsance lookin' film in your oil !!!! Not trying to scare you, but if you run it to hot to long, it's possible one can crack a head or head gasket. Not trying to spook you at all. BUT, check the oil and make sure it don't have milk in it >>>>>> If you don't see nothing but PURE oil, your O.K. >>>>></P>
<P mce_keep="true"> Keep us imformed on what you find. </P>
<P mce_keep="true"><FONT size=4><FONT color=#ff0000> <FONT face=JohnHancock>~~~~~~ Two Guns ~~~~~~</FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
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<P mce_keep="true"> OK BUBBLEHEAD,</P>
<P mce_keep="true"> WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR MACHINE ?</P>
<P mce_keep="true"><FONT size=4><FONT color=#ff0000> <FONT face=JohnHancock>~~~~~~ Two Guns ~~~~~~</FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
 
I had my brother, who is a mechanic look at the RTV. The radiator was about half a gallon low but didn't see any reason. He figures the kids riding in low for a long time had something to do with it. Thanks for all the replies. Greg</p>
 
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A HALF OF A GALLON IS VERY MUCH MISSING OUT OF THAT LITTLE RADIATOR !!! A WHOLE LOT !!!!</p>


<span style="font-size: medium;"><font color="#ff0000"> <font face="JohnHancock">~~~~~~ Two Guns ~~~~~~</font></font></span></p>
 
The capacity of the radiator with the recovery tank is not but 4.2 quarts !!!</p>


Halfof a gallon missingfrom that is enough to makeanything " white smoke " even if you are not even hardly running it .</p>


Opening temp of thermostat is 203 F ~~~ 95 C</p>


Testing pressure on the radiator is 23 psi.</p>


<span style="font-size: medium;"><font color="#ff0000"> <font face="JohnHancock">~~~~~~ Two Guns ~~~~~~</font></font></span></p>


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das alot of missing water!!!if i'm right that means the radiator was less than half full.all that steam building up in that radiator could do some really bad stuff to the engine.</p>
 
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