So a few weeks ago I was about 40 miles from the village and had my right front shock on my 2020 Skidoo Expedition LE bust through the S-plate and into the engine compartment... among other things, it severed the return and supply hoses from the engine to radiator. I bypassed the radiator, as I still had the heat exchanger to cool the engine, but now had no coolant. It was stinking cold out, with 30 mph wind, so I had to get some kind of liquid in the engine before the engine block got below freezing, and was out on the tundra with nothing but stunted green willows to burn and a little pint sized pot to boil snow in to make water, so that wasn't an option. That's when the coffee entered the equation: I had a gallon of black coffee in my thermoses, and since it didn't have cream or sugar, decided it was my best option. It got me the 40 miles home without overheating once (Did I mention it was stinking cold out!?), and I flushed the engine out twice with coolant as soon as I got home. My question to you snowmachine gurus is this, do you think the engine is alright for the long run? It's functioning fine driving around the yard, but I am leary about taking it too far from town. Your thoughts...

It has a 900 ace engine. It's name was Waltzing Matilda (Riding that wide track thing is what I imagine dancing with a 400 pound woman is like.), but have since renamed her Percolating Matilda.

Now THAT is resourceful! Good thinking.

Pete

I know one thing, I'm replacing every hose clamp that crimps on with reusable ones you can take on and off with a screwdriver by turning a screw: when it's 20 below with a 30 mph wind out on the tundra, and you're trying to bypass the radiator and using a Leatherman to crimp and uncrimp those stupid hose clamps BRP uses, it is a study in patience. Thing is, I had to get it done before the engine block got too cold, else the coffee might freeze. From here on out, every machine I get will be gone through in the summer, and the crimping hose clamps will be replaced, so as to make it much easier to work on in the middle of nowhere, in the dark, when it's cold, and time time is of the essence.

If you did a good coolant flush everything will be fine. I am curious about the shock breaking through like that. Was there previous damage? Any pics?

I agree those crimp hose clamps are a pain in the butt and useless in a situation like yours.

I travel a lot on the tundra with little to no snow, the machine had 4,000 miles on it, I am sure all of those bumps add up, came off of a four foot snowdrift onto a tussock, was going about 10 mph. The straw that broke the camel's back I guess. I'm sure it was already cracked. Will upload a picture when the internet is better.

I have filled the coolant systems of two different fourwheelers with coffee when I managed to rip a hose loose and dump the coolant. Never had an issue with either one, and put over ten thousand miles on both after doing so. As long as you didn't overheat it or let it set in there and freeze there shouldn't be any problem.

Thanks for the good information about your experience with the same situation, bearcat2. I was thinking it shouldn't hurt anything, just wanted other's opinions.

Dang that chassis failure is impressive. Not sure what could be done to strengthen that area up. Now you have me worried about my two expeditions. I sure dont take it easy on them but I think you might be a little harder on yours.

Yes, we drive with little to no snow a lot here on the tundra, if you are going to trap, look for antlers, or track wolves and wolverines, you have to.