09 M8 HCR piston scrub

[Sergeant HCR]

I got 40+ miles now on my HCR and figured it was time to check for piston scrub based on a thread I came across here

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123584

I do have some scrubbing but not as bad as the pic posted in that thread. Feeling it with my finger it still feels smooth. I also can see some in the cylinder too. I recall my old 1M had this type of scrubbing but it didn't seem to be a problem.

Also, it seems one header bolt is missing??? LOL!

I am still on pre-mix with AC oil, and have been following break-in protocol. The sled seems to run great minus a low-end bog/burble. That sled did not have that 09 break-in procedure done either despite me asking my dealer and another dealer about it...they had never heard of it.

Any opinons? I would like to think its not much to worry about for the time being...although I am planning a 3-day trip next weekend and I really don't want to break down in remote country

 

[Frostbite]

Stop scaring me!

I don't want to look...............

Are you running Arctic Cat APV oil?

Wouldn't this be a warranty issue?

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

piston scrub

the more and better power the 2 stroke engines make, the WAY MORE CRITICAL it is to take it easy on them at break it..........oh and break in every day.

Big pistons, mean lean efi jetting, cold anitfreeze, frozen cold aluminum coolers and a quick throttle hand do no make for a good combination.

The 10 3 minute idle periods in the garage are great for getting that motor used to swelling and shrinking and rubbing off the excess material called break in.

BUT THE BIGGEST ISSUE is taking it easy for10 minutes minimum when you take off from the truck, even if you idle the sled for 5 minutes before departure, you need to warm up the clutch's and belt, tranny fluid, open up the thermostat and circulate and warm up the antifreeze and warm up the cooler.

Its alwasy a laugher to take off from the truck and watch the sledheads bazing down the first 2 miles of trail doing wheelies on the bumps and dazzling them selves...........oh and scuffing the pistons and ruining their belts.

You're ok, suzuki made this things knowing they had to be way conservative on performance to allow for the unknowing that ride these things. Warm it up and take it easy before you hammer it. Those streak were likely made on the first warm up at the cat house where the kid putting that sled together just had to hit 5 grand to get the greasy clutch's to engage.

 

[Sergeant HCR]

Thanks for that CATSLEDMAN....I always warm my sled up before giving it any bit of throttle.I can feel when it's warm and even then I give it some more time before hammering it.

 

[Sergeant HCR]

Stop scaring me!

I don't want to look...............

Are you running Arctic Cat APV oil?

Wouldn't this be a warranty issue?

Yes, I am running Cat APV oil. I have a picture of me on my sled last week when it was running and you can see the thick exhaust from the oil..I'll post it sure!

 

[Backcountry Bandit]

the more and better power the 2 stroke engines make, the WAY MORE CRITICAL it is to take it easy on them at break it..........oh and break in every day.

Big pistons, mean lean efi jetting, cold anitfreeze, frozen cold aluminum coolers and a quick throttle hand do no make for a good combination.

The 10 3 minute idle periods in the garage are great for getting that motor used to swelling and shrinking and rubbing off the excess material called break in.

BUT THE BIGGEST ISSUE is taking it easy for10 minutes minimum when you take off from the truck, even if you idle the sled for 5 minutes before departure, you need to warm up the clutch's and belt, tranny fluid, open up the thermostat and circulate and warm up the antifreeze and warm up the cooler.

Its alwasy a laugher to take off from the truck and watch the sledheads bazing down the first 2 miles of trail doing wheelies on the bumps and dazzling them selves...........oh and scuffing the pistons and ruining their belts.

You're ok, suzuki made this things knowing they had to be way conservative on performance to allow for the unknowing that ride these things. Warm it up and take it easy before you hammer it. Those streak were likely made on the first warm up at the cat house where the kid putting that sled together just had to hit 5 grand to get the greasy clutch's to engage.

to each their own....

i saw 3 out of the 4 09 HCR's go down here. all did the Arctic Cat break in recommendations. me being the stubborn fool i am...did not. i ripped on it like i did EVERY sled i have owned or rebuilt. broke the ***** in HARD. i have had race sleds and raced sno-x. my 440's i would redo (just maintenance) twice a year. guess what? i have NEVER blown a motor. seriously...not once. my 09 HCR is the ONLY one that didnt melt down here. you can call Northgate Honda in GP and ask for Ryan to verify this info. dont bull**** nor will i ever. i do however ALways warm my sled up for a good 2-4 minutes before each ride. but then its on like donkey kong.
i do have some small scoring on the pistons of the HCR. but as you stated, ya cant feel em with your finger nail. its all good. i have 1300 HARD miles on this sled and never have had an issue with the motor. out of fear as to all the other HCR's melting last year, we opened up mine at the dealership. very small scuffing. this was at 400 or so miles.

clutches...thats another story.

again...to each their own. you will hear so many opinions on break in....SO many....go with what has worked for you in the past, this way you have no one but you to blame...LOL

good luck man!

 

[Sergeant HCR]

to each their own....

i do have some small scoring on the pistons of the HCR. but as you stated, ya cant feel em with your finger nail. its all good. i have 1300 HARD miles on this sled and never have had an issue with the motor. out of fear as to all the other HCR's melting last year, we opened up mine at the dealership. very small scuffing. this was at 400 or so miles.

Thats eases my mind somewhat! Was your scuffing similar to my pics? I'm going to keep riding it and check again after a few more miles.

I was watching your vids on youtube today tundrat and subscribed to your channel. I got a helmet cam bought myself now and going on a trip next week to some good hill climbing country so hopefully I can post some too.

 

[Backcountry Bandit]

Thats eases my mind somewhat! Was your scuffing similar to my pics? I'm going to keep riding it and check again after a few more miles.

I was watching your vids on youtube today tundrat and subscribed to your channel. I got a helmet cam bought myself now and going on a trip next week to some good hill climbing country so hopefully I can post some too.

my pistons look EXACTLY like yours. and that was at 400 miles. i have over 1300 miles now. re checked them at 1000miles, no changes. i run cats apv oil as well. seriously, a 2 stoke is what it is. it can go at ANY time. ride her till she dies then bring her in for warranty! OR do what i am going to do.....bring it in for a fresh top end about a week or 2 before warranty is up. tell em its not running right, you looked at the pistons and you found scoring. take some pics for proof too. you should be able to get warranty from that. AND your NOT scamming cat. they know about the tight clearances...and if you followed their break in....you have a case. just a thought......

cant wait to see some of your vids. what is your name on youtube? i will subscribe back. you'll love this sled. in the fluff its not as good as a 162" but if there is ANY consistancy in the snow....its one HARD sled to beat.