New Pro: Replace pistons now or later

[Snodawg]

I didn't state that there wasn't a problem. I stated that you only hear of the ones going down and then the threads and posts start flying. I feal for you Jim, and I also question wether or not to tear down my engine (1500 miles on the 11). It is out of the chassis right now, sitting on the bench. I have boroscoped it and found nothing. In fact it looks quite good. I still have two years of warranty left. I have several reasons for not tearing it down. One is $$$. I spent my allotment of sled money on the chassis this year (new extended belt drive, VEI tunnel, Camo Ex 2.5) Two is I want to see how much of a difference the mods I made will make. Three is I have talked to my dealer about my mods versus waranty, and they will back me up as long as the failure, if it ever happens, is not caused by any of the mods that I have done. The only mod that could affect the engine would be the cooler, but with a full u-cooler now, I have twice the cooling and it would be hard to blame anything on the cooler specifically. So I feel comfortable that my dealer that I have used since 1973, will cover any kind of warranty issues. As far as being without a sled, I have other options. As far as being towed out from the bottom of hole, bring it on, I love to have stories to tell the grandchildren.
However, after saying all that, my plans for next year include a major "fix" for the mill. Long rod, preferably big bore. This should complete my project nicely. Just gotta save some coin for next summer.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Guys..leave em stock for at least a 1000 miles, then pull em down and inspect..any signs of damage..and its still covered under warranty..there is no guarantee on anyones parts/fixes(other then indy dan)...so if you do someone elses kit and it goes boom..whos going to pay for it? as for the 5-10 hp..doubtful if you will notice on the hill against a good running stocker.......put the money into better clutching/pipe/or better yet..put it in the bank and keep adding to it so you can do a real power getter/reliable kit down the road such as ID or Brads kit.......something that will both add tons of power and tons of reliability.............there is no way I would do any kit on a pro motor without a good warranty...........

 

[Matte Murder]

Everyone seems to miss this "For added performance: put on an aftermarket cheater head, can and some clutching (team tied with carls clutch kit) and retain my warranty." Those mods will void the warranty. If you are going to mod it anyway I would put pistons in it. I would leave it stock and just ride it and check it at the end of the season or 1000 miles if you are a high mile rider. This year will determine whether it's just bad or a disaster. The guys with 11s and 12s this year will have lots of miles, we will see...

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

I agree Matt..my 11 is bone stock..only mods to it are a clutch spring and weights to tailor it to my riding..(well and the tunnel reinforcments)..........

 

[Murph]

Everyone seems to miss this "For added performance: put on an aftermarket cheater head, can and some clutching (team tied with carls clutch kit) and retain my warranty." Those mods will void the warranty. If you are going to mod it anyway I would put pistons in it. I would leave it stock and just ride it and check it at the end of the season or 1000 miles if you are a high mile rider. This year will determine whether it's just bad or a disaster. The guys with 11s and 12s this year will have lots of miles, we will see...

Yeah, I caught that and also the "I run a turbo and had two top ends replaced under warranty"--- and people wonder why Polaris comes down hard on engine mods?

When you "modify" a sled, break it, and then expect the OEM to fix it... I just can't get behind that. I think it's bu!!sh!t. If you want to modify it, by all means go ahead, but if it blows why should the OEM be forced to pay for it?

The other thing that's not right is that you helped create more warranty hurdles for the next guy who really does have a stock sled.

Sorry, rant over.

Oh yeah, Beamslayer, I am bummed for you that your sled has engine damage and no warranty. But, you bought an ex- RMSHA race sled. Having been involved in professional Motorsports for over fifteen years, I would never buy an ex race anything without first tearing the motor down. I do feel really bad for you and your predicament, but you bought an ex race sled. I hope you don't take this as a personal attack, that was not my intention.

 

[knifedge]

--How many minutes of run time does a RMSHA sled get in a race weekend? Probably less than 10, not including warming it up. A typical rider will take care of his equipment so that he will get the best performance out it.

 

[Murph]

--How many minutes of run time does a RMSHA sled get in a race weekend? Probably less than 10, not including warming it up. A typical rider will take care of his equipment so that he will get the best performance out it.

A Supercross moto doesn't last very long either, but I wouldn't buy one of those motors either. Especially if it wasn't rebuilt before I received it.

I haven't met many racers-- in any format two wheel, four wheel, sled, jet ski -- that really take care of their race vehicles. They consider race vehicles disposable, they'll use it, abuse it, and sell it before it becomes a problem. Why do you think they always buy the newest year vehicle even when there has been no changes other than paint or stickers? They know they have used that vehicle up and don't want to "take care of the equipment" (i.e. extensive rebuilding)

For sure there are exceptions to the above statement, but that has been my experience in professional racing in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East

 

[jeepin270]

Yeah, I caught that and also the "I run a turbo and had two top ends replaced under warranty"--- and people wonder why Polaris comes down hard on engine mods?

When you "modify" a sled, break it, and then expect the OEM to fix it... I just can't get behind that. I think it's bu!!sh!t. If you want to modify it, by all means go ahead, but if it blows why should the OEM be forced to pay for it?

The other thing that's not right is that you helped create more warranty hurdles for the next guy who really does have a stock sled.

Polaris should build a halfway decent snowmobile motor!!! I spent 11000 on a sled that only went 500miles before it blew, completely stock. The research that I did at that time said that these motors were more reliable boosted. I made the mistake of buying a kit that wasn't up to par at the time. That's why I went through 2 more topends. Polaris doesn't need to tighten up on there dealers! They need to tighten up on the retards who design there snowmobile motors!!!!

 

[iluv2fly]

Come on guys there is absolutely nothing wrong with the 800 engine. Even though when guys pull them down at 2000 miles the pistons are shot and the cylinder skirts are cracked. Even if these engines are not going down they should not need a rebuild at 2000 miles. If I had the money I would do the PAR 910 kit.

 

[jeepin270]

I think that anyone who thinks that it is b.s., read the thread everyone that owns D08-10 read. Somebody tell me who is getting screwed Polaris or the consumer

 

[tie rod]

I just can't believe the crying from a few on this forum. They sell thousands of Pro 800's. there are 10-15 on Snowest crying because their sled broke. It's a 2 stroke motor!!! I can't take the crying anymore. Lets talk about how the Polaris sleds are way better than any other sled on the market in almost every way!

 

[lennstang]

Sounds like we need a good reliable turbo 4 stroke motor...wonder if Mr Honda or Mr Kawasaki is listening.....

 

[Murph]

Polaris should build a halfway decent snowmobile motor!!! I spent 11000 on a sled that only went 500miles before it blew, completely stock. The research that I did at that time said that these motors were more reliable boosted. I made the mistake of buying a kit that wasn't up to par at the time. That's why I went through 2 more topends. Polaris doesn't need to tighten up on there dealers! They need to tighten up on the retards who design there snowmobile motors!!!!

I agree with you that a motor should last more than 500 miles (stock).

So far we have three sleds and have gotten 6,000 miles out of them (2,500,2000,1500).

Our experience has been positive. My 2011 is pretty sacked out now at 2,500 miles but I think that is to be expected with the type of deep heavy snow we ride and our avoidance of trails.

But they are all still running. Overall I have been impressed with the performance of this 800 cc two stroke motor. Could it be better?-- of course. Would we ever be satisfied with power output or longevity? Probably not.

Years ago I was the sales manager of a Honda motorcycle dealership. Honda did not offer a warranty on their two stroke CR motors.

I am still in amazement that the OEM's offer warranties on two stroke motors.

 

[OutWest]

I dont get it.. If you guys are so ****ing worried about problems that is overrated why dont you buy another sled?? Many times when these engines has a failure, its not the engine but the driver.. I have seen plenty of people just pull and go with a cold engine. And when they get a bad piston or two they complain about a crapy engine bla bla bla bla... Get over yourself or buy something else.

 

[rmscustom]

Sounds like we need a good reliable turbo 4 stroke motor...wonder if Mr Honda or Mr Kawasaki is listening.....

PLEASE NO!!!!!!!!!!
That would probably come with a wide and heavy universal chassis... I think someone else makes that sled

 

[skibreeze]

I dont get it.. If you guys are so ****ing worried about problems that is overrated why dont you buy another sled?? Many times when these engines has a failure, its not the engine but the driver.. I have seen plenty of people just pull and go with a cold engine. And when they get a bad piston or two they complain about a crapy engine bla bla bla bla... Get over yourself or buy something else.

So, the brand blinders are on and you tell people to "get over themselves." I can assure you that my 08, my 11, and my 12 were all properly warmed up.

"A bad piston or 2" Try over a dozen on the last 3 Polaris sleds. Most of us love the chassis and can't figure out why the motors continue to suck. Why should we have to buy something else? Just so you don't have to hear us whine?

 

[OutWest]

So, the brand blinders are on and you tell people to "get over themselves." I can assure you that my 08, my 11, and my 12 were all properly warmed up.

"A bad piston or 2" Try over a dozen on the last 3 Polaris sleds. Most of us love the chassis and can't figure out why the motors continue to suck. Why should we have to buy something else? Just so you don't have to hear us whine?

Brand blinders, lol..

Over a dozen on your sleds? What oil are you using? I know there is people with pistons failure and alot of people that doesn`t have these problems. My sled has almost 1000 miles with porting etc, last time i got the engine checked (service) the pistons was almost as new. And i have the pistons that came with the engine in 2011.. These engines doesn`t suck, some have failures and some dont. Same as ski doo and arctic cat, some goes down the ****ter and some dont. And yes, you can improve anything stock that comes out the store but is it worth it? Maybe, maybe not.. When people start to consider "fix" kit on a "new" sled because some people say that the engine is garbage from the start, yes i call it whining.. Hope you didn`t take it personally. What about all of us that alot of miles with reliable engines? I am not talking about some dozen, i am talking about thousands in usa, canada, russia, scandinavia and so on. Is many of them just god damn lucky? In my opinion, no..

 

[beamslayer]

Can some one tell me why Polaris built a Assault was it not made to be raced ? Yes I bought a race sled it had 900 miles on it I put on another 600 I am diffently not a racer . So you are trying to tell me that on a normal day of boondocking of lets say 6 hrs of on and off throttle ,wide open throttle in powder is less intensive of racing up a hill .
Did Skibreeze buy a race sled , did my buddie buy a used race sled NO they did not. I hate to tell you but not everyone is on snowest .
I ride with a young lad who rides a M8 he bought used and trust me he beats that thing to death , pull the rope and wfo , rode all day with a broken ski with a bungie cord on it and he has NO2 on it with no nozzels ,it just fogs the air box and it just keeps on running. Me I am added oil to my tank, turned up the oiler,let it get up to temp . I baby mine compared to the other guys I ride with .
Come on guys quit making excuses for a poorly designed engine, there is a reason why they are only 138 hp, and there is so many aftermarket companys building kits for these engines.
Murph I do not take it personal or any one else ( except Oregonsledder) I just am trying to help the guy who does not have a warranty and can not dump $4000 into a engine .

 

[skibreeze]

Brand blinders, lol..

Over a dozen on your sleds? What oil are you using? I know there is people with pistons failure and alot of people that doesn`t have these problems. My sled has almost 1000 miles with porting etc, last time i got the engine checked (service) the pistons was almost as new. And i have the pistons that came with the engine in 2011.. These engines doesn`t suck, some have failures and some dont. Same as ski doo and arctic cat, some goes down the ****ter and some dont. And yes, you can improve anything stock that comes out the store but is it worth it? Maybe, maybe not.. When people start to consider "fix" kit on a "new" sled because some people say that the engine is garbage from the start, yes i call it whining.. Hope you didn`t take it personally. What about all of us that alot of miles with reliable engines? I am not talking about some dozen, i am talking about thousands in usa, canada, russia, scandinavia and so on. Is many of them just god damn lucky? In my opinion, no..

Anybody that has lost a motor and then has somebody tell them that they are whining, get over it, is gonna take it personally.

Yes, over a dozen. Polaris did 9 pistons, 3 monoblocks, and various other parts on my '08 and blew the bottom out of the case with only 3,000 miles. Now the '11 needs another block and a set of pistons. The '12 required a complete motor, and you want to shift the blame to oil?

I agree that alot of people don't "see" any motor problems, they simply don't put on enough miles, sell it, trade it before the catastrophic failure takes place. The fact is that several of the motors that I have personally pulled apart are at the outer limits of clearances when new, and in the case of my perfectly running '11, it was double the clearance with only 2,000 miles. If you think that is ok, then I am whining.

 

[Oregonsledder]

Can some one tell me why Polaris built a Assault was it not made to be raced ? Yes I bought a race sled it had 900 miles on it I put on another 600 I am diffently not a racer . So you are trying to tell me that on a normal day of boondocking of lets say 6 hrs of on and off throttle ,wide open throttle in powder is less intensive of racing up a hill .
Did Skibreeze buy a race sled , did my buddie buy a used race sled NO they did not. I hate to tell you but not everyone is on snowest .
I ride with a young lad who rides a M8 he bought used and trust me he beats that thing to death , pull the rope and wfo , rode all day with a broken ski with a bungie cord on it and he has NO2 on it with no nozzels ,it just fogs the air box and it just keeps on running. Me I am added oil to my tank, turned up the oiler,let it get up to temp . I baby mine compared to the other guys I ride with .
Come on guys quit making excuses for a poorly designed engine, there is a reason why they are only 138 hp, and there is so many aftermarket companys building kits for these engines.
Murph I do not take it personal or any one else ( except Oregonsledder) I just am trying to help the guy who does not have a warranty and can not dump $4000 into a engine .

Beam, so you have a problem with a guy who simply is saying there are MANY more PRO’s without engine problems than those that do? That’s a fact bud. I'm sorry you are having issues, but the facts are the facts.