Fan Blocking Plate Causes Heat Damage to RT

[DR Buck]

I took my RT Limited in for the 3000 mile service today and when checking out at the service desk the service manager mentioned that he noticed I had vent blocking plates installed. (I have both right-side vents blocked off. (http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...ght-side-vents&p=466311&viewfull=1#post466311) and don't seem to have any trouble.)

Anyway, the service manager told me I could do what I wanted, but he wanted to caution me that they had just resolved an issue with someone else's RT where the computer and associated wiring was damaged because of the heat being trapped under the Tupperware and not being vented because he installed a blocking plate. I don't know if he closed off both vent openings or only one of them. Apparently service dept spent close to 100 hours trouble shooting and sending parts back & forth to BRP for help, when they finally discovered severe heat damage to some of the wire harness and around the computer.

To the best of my knowledge, this is the first actual report on damage caused by limiting the heat escape from an RT. I asked if the fellow had removed the bottom plate and or opened up the "swoop area" to let the heat escape and was told that he did not.

So far I've not had any issues. I'm hoping that the large opening I put in the swoop area allows enough heat to escape that things stay cool enough. I'm also working on other ideas the shed additional heat like wrapping my exhaust. I ordered the stuff last night.

 

[sinkhole]

heat...

Stands to reason... you've gotta get the heat out of the plenum. Blocking the natural exit and diverting it all into the engine area, that is already hot as the devil, doesn't seem to be a great idea.

Out the side and into the airstream seems like the best solution to me... and BRP also. :2thumbs:

 

[CyncySpyder]

Going against what's recommended?

I thought SpyderPops recommends NOT​ to install both the Upper & Lower, one or the other, no?

 

[DR Buck]

I thought SpyderPops recommends NOT​ to install both the Upper & Lower, one or the other, no?

I believe you are correct. However, I almost never do as I'm told. :lecturef_smilie: I've also added the large hole in the swoop to let hot air out.

 

[sinkhole]

heat...

I suspect that BRP went to a lot of trouble in their design phase deciding how much exit area was required to dissipate the heat from that radiator. Part of the heated air in the plenum can already exit into the engine compartment, and pushing any more hot air in that direction can only exacerbate the "heat behind the tupperware" issue.

 

[tnhoover]

I have had issues withe steering assist shutting down because of excessive heat (thats what the dealer diagnosed it as anyway) . The dealer says it's because I have the top vent blocked. I haven't drilled any holes yet but I do have the splash pan removed.

 

[cjackg]

Interesting, because there have been numerous threads and a huge bunch of discussion about how us hackers can modify the hot air flow of a Spyder.

After using some of these aftemarket solutions, carving on my Spyder, and trying to find a way to route the hot air, I am finding that the problem is still there and maybe worse. Yes, I do like a lot of SpyderPops products but I think we are shooting at a moving target with this one. I will likely draw a lot of criticism with this one but feel like I should tell it like it is.

The main issue is this is a blantant flaw in the RT engineering and the one that should step up and fix this is: BRP !

 

[coz]

rt heat vs. gs rs heat

maybe owners of both bikes can answer this. does the rt put out more right side heat than the gs,rs? scotty, lamont, firefly come to mind.opcorn:

 

[daveinva]

I don't know if I'd call it a blatant flaw-- bikes generate heat, the Spyder gets hot, etc.

That said, the design could stand to be improved. Blasting out the heat on your feet isn't ideal. Pretending that a little foam under thin plastic will shield heat isn't ideal.

Given the amount of angst about heat by pretty much EVERY Spyder owner ever, this really should be one of those "must address" items for the next gen of Spyder vehicles. Better ventilation, better insulation, better exhaust routing-- *whatever* it takes, in whatever combination, would be welcomed by pretty much every Spyder owner.

Should be a no-brainer to spend a little R&D and a few extra dollars per vehicle addressing one of the top 3 complaints about the crown jewel of BRP's lineup.

 

[coz]

- 1

i don't have a problem at all with heat. new exhaust gaskets , botton splashpans removed, and two other minor mods which didn't amount to much anyway and i'm back to ryding in mesh running shoes. just like last year.:thumbup:

 

[DR Buck]

Ya don't need pictures in this thread when the hyper link to the pictures is provided! :banghead: Check the intial post in this thread.:trike:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

HOT AIR REMOVAL

One of the things I did to my 08 GS was to remove all the fake plastic screening from the upper two vents nearest the center section and replace it with open weave aluminum lattice type screen that I painted Yellow (looks good) ( can be seen at S.I.T.A.). This seems to help evacuate the heat better from the engine compartment.....I also added scoops to put more air into the engine compartment and I'm sure this also helps.......More air in, more air out = cooler.......Mike......:thumbup:

 

[Firefly]

maybe owners of both bikes can answer this. does the rt put out more right side heat than the gs,rs? scotty, lamont, firefly come to mind.opcorn:

I would say yes that the RT puts out more right-side heat than an RS. When using the stock footrests things seem fine... but place your feet up on the 'wings' where many install highway pegs and things get HOT.

I blocked the upper hole.. can't believe BRP just left it open... should have put a matching grill like the other side. I did remove the lower splash pan and will probably cut a hole in the shroud to allow airflow downwards.

The RT tupperwear seems to be more 'enclosed' than on the RS.....

I never really had any complaints about heat on my GS... noticed it right away on the RT.

 

[ulflyer]

Seems to me something like the Fancan shroud with the opening pointing directly down instead of the side, and with a stronger fan, perhaps set to come on sooner, would direct the heat underneath better (with the belly pan off) and away from the motor.
I don't suscribe to the notion that "the way the engineers did it is the best way". If they can't install an easily workable turn sig switch, or solve the throttle body issues that so many of us have had; that says something about engineering. Or maybe its the designers who looked to the cheapest vendor to save a few bucks.

 

[Lamonster]

My thoughts.

The RS throws off way more heat than the RT, that's the first thing I notice when I swap rides.

I have the top block off plate on my RT and the bottom splash pan off. I do not have the lower block off plate on and there are no other mods. The block off plate does make a huge difference for me but I wear the proper riding gear too (boots).

I have run in extreme hot temps for days with no issues. On my last trip back from Durango it was 104-106 most of the time and I saw temps as high as 116 and didn't have so much as a hiccup.

I personally would not block off both openings and I wouldn't run the fan can, my concern on the fan can is the life of the fan motor being reduced by the trapped heat.

As they say "your mileage may vary" :doorag:

 

[zrc]

Seems to me an assembly that pulls the hot air out via vacuum would be desired, almost like a forced out and downward pull... I am now officially interested in all this heat discussion, 98% of the time I ride with large industrial boots on and dont notice the heat or issues. On the other 2% of days I am in shorts and shoes, and assume the heat is there to encourage me to stop being stupid and wear the right gear.

To my limited knowledge, I have no heat management mods, however, everytime I do some maintenance on my spyder I seem to locate mods that came with my previously owned spyder so I would not know for sure at this point.

 

[Firefly]

Lamont makes some good points. Now that I think about it, when I was riding my RS in the 110 heat of Kansas I felt the need to move my feet out towards the edges of the pegs. Didn't really ride the RT in that kind of heat, but never have felt the need to move my feet out when using the stock pegs.

When I noticed unbearable heat was when using the highway pegs--- before I installed the block plate. Heat was only on the right hand side.

So I guess if you're going to run highway pegs.... The block plate is a must.

 

[Bob Denman]

Soooo... Hasn't anybody in here ever sat on a Harley Big-Twin in stop and go traffic on a hot day...:shocked:
Engines vibrate and make heat!

Sorry if I'm sounding a bit...grumpy. pps:, but it's kind of just what they do. If you've got protective gear on (As you should!), the heat should be more than bearable...

 

[boborgera]

Soooo... Hasn't anybody in here ever sat on a Harley Big-Twin in stop and go traffic on a hot day...:shocked:
Engines vibrate and make heat!

.

Not my Tri Glide, Runs cool as a cucumber, [Right after i added true duals and a stage one] on the 103 engine.
And if the whole Trike ''didn't'' vibrate i would think something was wrong.:roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

I figured that'd draw you out! :roflblack:
Doesn't Harley actually have something going on in the electrics that can shut off the rear cylinder if things get too hot? :dontknow: