Interesting (I think) info about engine heat

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I was at the local (local = 45 miles!) dealer today and mentioned heat to one of the salesmen. He said the heat problem of the 2013 RT was mirrored by a very similar heat problem with the 2012 Can Am Commander UTV. The machine uses the same basic V-twin engine as the Spyder, albeit slightly detuned. It is located in the console right between the seats. It put out so much heat he said he nearly burned his leg. One of the mods made by dealers was to install a fan at the rear of the console under the cargo bed to pull more air through the engine compartment. Guys have also ceramic coated the exhaust pipe and added insulation to the console plastic.

Somehow this all sounds awfully familiar. But you really would think that if BRP had this problem with the 2012 UTVs they would have known the need to be proactive with the 2013 RT. Makes one wonder, doesn't it?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

.......But they also can't figure out where the valve should go on the rear wheel ? ? ? .............Mikeguyver

[Chupaca]

same heat problem different configuration. Would seem they would pay more attention or more testing (in the summer or the desert) perhaps. They are getting there but it's like kids in a fine resturant who are used to fast food....

[Dragonrider]

Hmmm, let's see - two cylinders, in line with the airflow, so the 2nd one really bakes, then toss them in a fully enclosed box, and expect a small radiator to get rid of the heat.... Houston, we may have a problem...

[vided]

.......But they also can't figure out where the valve should go on the rear wheel ? ? ? .............Mikeguyver

what valve on the rear wheel?????

[jcthorne]

Hmmm, let's see - two cylinders, in line with the airflow, so the 2nd one really bakes, then toss them in a fully enclosed box, and expect a small radiator to get rid of the heat.... Houston, we may have a problem...

The vtwin configuration has nothing to do with it from an air flow stand point. These engines are NOT air cooled and are NOT in the air flow. The radiator does ALL the cooling just as it does on almost all water cooled engines. The rear cylinder does not run hotter than the front. In fact much of our heat problem under the tupperware is from the LONG exhaust pipe from the front cylinder adding so much heat to the space.


The design of the water cooling system is just fine, well, other than the placement of the radiator perhaps. But the v-twin engine config has nothing to do with it.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

what valve on the rear wheel?????

......You ARE joking ....right .........Mikeguyver

[KX5062]

The vtwin configuration has nothing to do with it from an air flow stand point. These engines are NOT air cooled and are NOT in the air flow. The radiator does ALL the cooling just as it does on almost all water cooled engines. The rear cylinder does not run hotter than the front. In fact much of our heat problem under the tupperware is from the LONG exhaust pipe from the front cylinder adding so much heat to the space.


The design of the water cooling system is just fine, well, other than the placement of the radiator perhaps. But the v-twin engine config has nothing to do with it.

Agreed. Also, the location of the catalytic converter is a major contributor too.