2018 Gen 4 starts on fire

lightning1 · Feb 24, 2019

We had a Gen 4 start on fire yesterday. We were only about 2 miles from the truck. Stopped on the side of the trail to make sure we had everyone and when we started off again my buddy hit the throttle and a ball of flames came from under the sled. Next thing it's of fire. We think the fire was on top of the engine and we could not get it out with snow. Ended up getting a fire extinguisher to put it out, no amount of snow was going to stop it. FYI sled not even broke in yet. Any thoughts? Has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks

kanedog · Feb 24, 2019

Operator error. Brake was left on. Too bad, so sad.

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Illinoispowder · Feb 24, 2019

kanedog said:
Operator error. Brake was left on. Too bad, so sad.

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Brake is down by left foot. OP states fire was on top of engine

Mafesto · Feb 24, 2019

lightning1 said:
We had a Gen 4 start on fire yesterday. We were only about 2 miles from the truck. Stopped on the side of the trail to make sure we had everyone and when we started off again my buddy hit the throttle and a ball of flames came from under the sled. Next thing it's of fire. We think the fire was on top of the engine and we could not get it out with snow. Ended up getting a fire extinguisher to put it out, no amount of snow was going to stop it. FYI sled not even broke in yet. Any thoughts? Has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks

You're gonna have that.

diamonddave · Feb 24, 2019

Kanedog is correct with his speculation, he's just a little rough with his communication.

A sled fire that is approximately 2 miles from the truck is generally from an emergency brake that has been left on. I personally know of 2 fire incidents this year that were from an e-brake that was left on.

Tylerdurdan · Feb 24, 2019

Good god mine wont even move with the brake on?

Blu Du · Feb 24, 2019

diamonddave said:
Kanedog is correct with his speculation, he's just a little rough with his communication.

A sled fire that is approximately 2 miles from the truck is generally from an emergency brake that has been left on. I personally know of 2 fire incidents this year that were from an e-brake that was left on.

yep this is true. your foot usually starts on fire first.

i'llDooit · Feb 24, 2019

I got a real good solution. Dont set your e brake.

NEWDUCK · Feb 24, 2019

i'llDooit said:
I got a real good solution. Dont set your e brake.

But then id have to tie the sled down on the trailer.....

Snow4life · Feb 24, 2019

My park brake lever broke off a while back, I dont tie it down in the trailer either way. But I dont understand how you could ride your sled with the park brake on and not notice... if that was the case.

lightning1 · Feb 24, 2019

If the brake was left on would you smell it before the fire starts? If it was not the brake any other thoughts? The flames were coming out next to the steering post and the vents on the right side. We pulled the clutch cover and took the belt off to tow it out and it all looked good. If it was started by the brake would that have burned? Thanks again for the responses, thoughts.

Tylerdurdan · Feb 24, 2019

I'm way interested in this cause my machine will not move and burn my belt if the brake is on. Is insurance investigating it?

kanedog · Feb 24, 2019

diamonddave said:
Kanedog is correct with his speculation, he's just a little rough with his communication.

A sled fire that is approximately 2 miles from the truck is generally from an emergency brake that has been left on. I personally know of 2 fire incidents this year that were from an e-brake that was left on.

Agree, a bit of a rough delivery.

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lightning1 · Feb 24, 2019

As far as I know it will be at the dealer on Tuesday and then I'm sure insurance will be involved. I have a hard time thinking he left the brake on because of the fireball that came out of the sled, almost like fumes ignitniting. I'm no expert and this is the first time I've ever seen a sled on fire but if it was the brake wouldn't that be a slower burn not fire shooting out the bottom then the top by the steering post?

Flydanner · Feb 24, 2019

Sounds like fuel or oil related I know mt 850 dumped a ton of oil during brake in so much so I pulled my pipe to clean it out of the belly pan. Maybe a flash fire from something like that. Could it have been a loose fuel line did he ever smell fuel? Sorry man that really stinks.

Sheer · Feb 24, 2019

Like its good that you were but i cant think of anyone that brings a fire ext. With them sledding thats amasing lol. Sometimes doos just light on fire prob belt slipping lol

White Rad · Feb 25, 2019

The belt got so hot it combusted

motox54 · Feb 25, 2019

White Rad said:
The belt got so hot it combusted

But thats normal for these sled. Thats why you install the new vent so the flames get exhausted out the vent and not start the sled on fire.

PaulAnd · Feb 25, 2019

If the sled was upside down oil could have leaked on the y-pipe..
My cap leaks quite a bit...
cant leave it upside down long

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TheOnlyBFC · Feb 25, 2019

My .02, I have seen many gen 4's that will spit gas out because they are not venting properly. I can usually see it gushing out of my shock area. Obviously this happens most often in the beginning of the ride after you have just topped off your gas tank. Check out the stickied thread at the beginning of this section.

2018 Gen 4 starts on fire

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