2013 Pro getting new cylinders and pistons!

[gman086]

So I ride with some industry insiders today and learn that not only is Polaris aware of the broken cylinder skirt issue, but that the 2013 WILL have new cylinders and new pistons! Maybe this is old news already but it's news to me. The new cylinders are machined to have thicker/stronger skirts and won't have the issues of the '11 and '12's. Now I know that some lost motors due to cylinder skirts but didn't think it a major issue - apparently big enough for Polaris to do something about it. And yeah, I was the one ripping on the aftermarket guys for "scare tactic" selling (which I'm still not a fan of) but, well, I'll have my crow rotisserie style with cajun spices please!

Have FUN!

G MAN

PS - I was thinking about a big bore but not now unless I can get a hold of some '13 jugs and those are going to be hard to come by for a while I'm guessing!

 

[pura vida]

that's what i have been hearing and saying as well. i also believe there might be some minor porting changes. some pretty good reports of the 13 versus the 12. just initial reports.

pv

 

[Matte Murder]

Dan Adams spend quite a bit of time on the 13's helping with demos etc. He told me it felt a lot lighter and more powerful. He thought the belt drive was the major reason for both. Didn't think you could feel 14lbs but felt the sled was a lot easier to toss around(he did not use the word flickable, thank God!). He also thought it rev'd up faster and was way snappier on the throttle. Maybe that was less to do with the belt drive and more to do with engine changes or some of each...

 

[pura vida]

reving and snappiness will have more to do to engine changes. probable more mapping refinement than anything.

pv

 

[proxr800racer]

thats good to hear! it will make me a little more comfterble, however if it were to go down thats what warrenty is for!.

 

[harps500]

I assume this isn't RMK Pro specific and is the 800 motor getting revamped correct (AKA Assault gets update too?)

 

[Super Sled]

I assume this isn't RMK Pro specific and is the 800 motor getting revamped correct (AKA Assault gets update too?)

The assault is a pro RMK, just a version of it with a couple tweaks for hill racing and ruggedness, for lack of a better term.

And I'd assume they changes would be for the entire line up of 800's

This is good news. I hope these changes help with reliability.

 

[El Gringo]

It would be great to hear this confirmed by Polaris, I can't decide between snow checking a Pro or a Doo, been leaning towards the Doo as I'm worried about all of the Pro engines I hear of failing. If someone from Polaris is listening you need to make some public comment on this issue as I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation.

 

[rick5150]

id take a blown motor every year (as long as i got the 4 yr warranty) over a doo any day the poo chassis literally is that good

 

[skibreeze]

id take a blown motor every year (as long as i got the 4 yr warranty) over a doo any day the poo chassis literally is that good

It's easy to make that statement, meanwhile I was waiting 3 weeks for my '12 to get a new motor in the prime part of the riding season.

 

[Angermangement890]

I had heard similar news, refinements to the engine and changes to the hard parts of the engine, there is reportedley a different head as well that will add some mid range power.

Polaris has also been playing with longer rods. Those involved say they have seen an increase in performance and better longevity out of the engine with the longer rod. I wouldn't be suprised if the 13 engine had longer rods.

The other major change from 11 to 12/13 was the switch from synerject fuel injection systems to Bosch. Each year that Bosch is involved with the fuel injection mapping of this motor, we can expect to see refinements in running quality.

Polaris has changed the monoblock every year since 10, each year from 2010 on they made the skirts thicker the 11 and 12's have lower port timing and a differnt shaped exhaust port than the 08-10 cylinder. For 11/12 they are using a new style piston that is in tolerance and has a slight barrel shape to it. I used the 11 pistons in a 800 CFI 4 injector cyl and they measured out at .005" clearance.

Polaris cylinders by the year

08/09 3021843
10 3022201
11 3022205
12 3022352

 

[Old Scud-doo]

POLARIS! If it is true and we are getting a new design of pistons and cylinders on the 2013 I have one thing to say to you...

T H A N K Y O U ! ! ! !

 

[Mikew5j]

After reading this I'm even more excited about getting my 2013. Good news!

 

[aebsledder]

I had heard similar news, refinements to the engine and changes to the hard parts of the engine, there is reportedley a different head as well that will add some mid range power.

Polaris has also been playing with longer rods. Those involved say they have seen an increase in performance and better longevity out of the engine with the longer rod. I wouldn't be suprised if the 13 engine had longer rods.

The other major change from 11 to 12/13 was the switch from synerject fuel injection systems to Bosch. Each year that Bosch is involved with the fuel injection mapping of this motor, we can expect to see refinements in running quality.

Polaris has changed the monoblock every year since 10, each year from 2010 on they made the skirts thicker the 11 and 12's have lower port timing and a differnt shaped exhaust port than the 08-10 cylinder. For 11/12 they are using a new style piston that is in tolerance and has a slight barrel shape to it. I used the 11 pistons in a 800 CFI 4 injector cyl and they measured out at .005" clearance.

Polaris cylinders by the year

08/09 3021843
10 3022201
11 3022205
12 3022352

I appreciate the info. Unfortunately, judging by their track record, Polaris has been making changes, but not "refinements" or "improvements." If they went with thicker skirts that was a fail. And if the Pistons were different that was also a fail. How can Polaris claim increased longevity? Is there a machine they hook it to that simulates REAL WORLD riding conditions? Until they have two or more seasons of only very isolated or minor issues, there will be a "what if" hanging over the heads of every 800 motor out there. I am basing most of my failure info on what I know of locally, not in the forums. I guess if it is true they are making a change, good on them for trying. Oh, and my cereal does taste a little bad with the sour milk I am using on it right now I have an 11 Pro with a brand new motor in it right now

 

[Old Scud-doo]

I would believe, and I have been known to drink the Kool-aid, that the changes address the issues that most of us have seen. A refinement is still a new design, right? I too will be waiting to see how it holds up. I will be a paying factory test pilot all next year and glad to do so if the motor lasts. I sure hope they got it right this time.

 

[Super Sled]

This is good news and I hope Polaris has finally come up with their own stock "fix", because at some point these motors failing will do Polaris in, great chassis or not....

So when does the service bulletin come out instructing burned down motors be repaired using updated cylinders, pistons, and rings? Oh ya, that right, never. Because then Polaris would be acknowledging a huge problem and be opening themselves up to liability for a defective product. And yes, motors with this percentage failure rate is a defective product.

 

[Old Scud-doo]

This is good news and I hope Polaris has finally come up with their own stock "fix", because at some point these motors failing will do Polaris in, great chassis or not....

So when does the service bulletin come out instructing burned down motors be repaired using updated cylinders, pistons, and rings? Oh ya, that right, never. Because then Polaris would be acknowledging a huge problem and be opening themselves up to liability for a defective product. And yes, motors with this percentage failure rate is a defective product.

Hate to say it but you're right. Remember ACCS on the 1999 and 2000 RMK? Never ran smooth like an injected sled and they dumped it. If it is on two model years it can't be defective. Atleast I think that is why they did it.

So, I ask this of those who are in the know, did the 2013 demo sleds have the old 12 motor or the newer design?

 

[Super Sled]

I'm sorry to digress but this motor issue really flames me. I love my Pro. With it I finally have a chassis I just love to ride. I would even sacrifice power as I love the Pro chassis that much. But I'm having a huge issue with the thought I bought an engine that I'll be lucky if I get 1,500 - 2,000 miles out of before it blows and takes out the crank.

I guess I'll be going to Indy Dan when my warranty is up for a rebuild with longer rods. Thank god for the after market engine guys.

 

[pura vida]

although they have made some changes, it doesn't necessarily mean all issues will be fix. it doesn't mean they won't be either. i am glad bosch is handling the injection though. that is an improvement. honestly if a person is that paranoid about the motor, they should probably buy something else. how much fun are you really going to have if every time you take it out you are concerned the motor is going to blow. it just isn't worth the stress. they all make nice sleds, go buy one you will be able to enjoy. my guess if polaris decides it has a rob length issue you won't see the changes in 13. the only "hesitation" i have with my snow check is i could see (absolutely no info on the matter, only a complete WAG) polaris doing something with the motor in 14. but then again it might not be a bad thing to see how the new motor holds up for a year before buying. although i was pretty happy with my 11 even though it did go down around 2000 miles. i was lucky though and was running in less than a week.

pv

 

[Norway]

honestly if a person is that paranoid about the motor, they should probably buy something else.
pv

Touche!

And here lies the bugger in this market. You can sell a product that does not hold up to its intended use, tell the customer there is nothing wrong with the product (even if they fixed it TWICE under warranty) and instead of tearing the shop down we go: ok, can you give me a good deal on a snowcheck??

We should probably buy something else. But we don't...