Rtv 1100

[Kennebec]

Hi all,
While not a tractor, it does have a 3cyl diesel engine.
Our rtv is down on power when it's cold out.
Not stupid cold, just below freezing.
Even with the coolant temp up half way on the gauge, this thing can't get up modest hills. Never a problem during summer months.
It also seems to be pretty hard on fuel.

I am going to try fuel conditioner, but other than that I am stumped.
I have check the air filters and even with them out it behaves the same.
Need some help, can't really take it to the dealer now that snow is here.

Thanks in advance

 

[85Hokie]

Hi all,
While not a tractor, it does have a 3cyl diesel engine.
Our rtv is down on power when it's cold out.
Not stupid cold, just below freezing.
Even with the coolant temp up half way on the gauge, this thing can't get up modest hills. Never a problem during summer months.
It also seems to be pretty hard on fuel.

I am going to try fuel conditioner, but other than that I am stumped.
I have check the air filters and even with them out it behaves the same.
Need some help, can't really take it to the dealer now that snow is here.

Thanks in advance

Air is only half of the equation - I would check the fuel filter(s) and or fuel.
Fuel either explodes(burns) or it doesn't - with the proper air. SO I would check the availability of fuel delivery and quality of fuel.

The just below freezing makes me think that water is in the fuel, clogging up the filter when freezing. I would drain fuel, change filters, and refuel and bleed air and fire her up!

 

[Tooljunkie]

Also the drive system needs time to warm up, tromping on go pedal will force a lugging condition where a lighter approach will still move machine and maintain rpms.
Unless its belt drive, then clutches are gummed up. But i believe its like a hydrostat trans.

 

[Grouse Feathers]

Hi all,

It also seems to be pretty hard on fuel.
i
Thanks in advance

If you are using more fuel, and the fuel is getting into the cylinders you should have power or be smoking. If the fuel is not getting into the cylinders where is it going? I would at least look for a fuel leak and check the engine oil for fuel and oil level.

 

[coachgeo]

Since you're Canadian and probably knowledgeable about fuel gelling.. then again maybe your not familiar with diesels that can gell it's fuel easier than petrol. Soooo could that be the issue? Gelled fuel is harder to suck and inject thus engine performance goes down. Especially if fuel filter was close to needing changed anyway. Add to that if you have gotten any water into the system that exacerbates it.... or maybe the problem altogether.

An issue may also be nothing to do with cold. You might just have an air leak.

Get some Diesel Anti-Gell and try it again.

 

[DocGP]

I have an rtv 900, and it really doesn't like cold weather. The other thing I am going to try this winter is a hydraulic fluid change to the SUDT. It is supposed to flow more freely in colder conditions.

Doc

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I'm betting the issue is hydralic fluid type.
Wrong fluid becomes too thick in cold weather causing drag.

Another cause could be oil type, 5w 30 or 0W 30 for cold weather climates.

 

[lugbolt]

Welcome to RTV's. And diesels.

Diesel engines don't make much power when they're cold. They need to warm up a little. Heat is a diesel engine's friend, to an extent. The smaller they are, the more cold blooded they are because of the lack of volume above the piston when nearing TDC. There isn't much heat in the cold block and head to aid in heating the air enough for combustion. Even my powerlessstroke diesel pickup truck is cold blooded. It needs to warm up a little to not be as sluggish.


Yes on the hydraulic/transmission oil. Should be super UDT only, especially in colder climates. Regular UDT is no bueno for the HST's-and this is VERY noticeable with the RTV500. They will actually KILL the engine if you stomp on the pedal with everything "cold", then when they're warmed up, the engine just putters, even wide open, and the transmission won't transfer enough power to pull any sort of load or hill particularly in high range, so it sits still.