Opinions on 2010 D8

[151Viper]

So I just bought a 2010 D8 that was sold by a local dealer last winter as a hold over. The sled only has 300 miles on it and it looks like new. My question is would it be smart of me to just bite the bullet and install the PMS Fix kit on the sled before I even hit the snow? Thoughts?

Please no flaming of the Dragon I am just looking for honest recommendations.

Jamie

 

[KrazyKen]

Do it!

Yes do the MTN TEK (PMS is a dealer) upgrade. I just did my 09. I have 3 friends with 09 (pretty much the same as the '10) 800's and all three failed and then "fix". Two of them don't have any miles on them but one has a full season on it with great success.
You have time to get it done with no hurry before things get started this year and its not worth the gamble in my mind.
Do you have a factory warranty? Are you tight with your local dealer? If so I'll bet you could find something to justify a claim and have them sub the "fix" for the stock pistons then you will save about $400. It's been done.
If it only has 300 miles on it then there is a good chance your cylinders are good but don't cut any corners. Have them checked and make damn sure they are within spec. And i'm not talking Polaris spec's, they are loose!

 

[rocket]

Nothing wrong with the clearance specs in the service manual - they are pretty much "typical" for an 800 twin motor. Some commenters on these forums have claimed their BRAND NEW pistons have been way over the specs for clearance and supposedly, Polaris has looked the other way. However, I can neither confirm nor deny the accuracy of those comments. My own experience says that if the factory pistons have the correct clearance, you will likely have a motor that stays in one piece. If the pistons are already out of spec, then you likely have a ticking time-bomb. However, no guarantee that the "FIX" will help either. There have been failures reported with those pistons too. Bottom line is that whatever pistons you choose, they must be fit correctly to the cylinders. If they aren't, they won't hold up like they should. Incidently, there are also claims made by persons on these forums that a couple well-known aftermarket shops have seen good success with replating the cylinders to restore correct piston clearances, rather than resorting to some "special" piston. Just something to think about...

 

[IceCap]

Pull your Y pipe off and have a good look at the pistons through the exhaust ports.

If they look clean and not scorn..... I would just leave it and run it as is.

 

[754bigbore]

My 09 never did blow up. I had the factory joke, sorry I mean update done. Put 300 or so miles on it and had scoring so bad I would have had both piston skirts break off. Did the fix last spring and all I can say is wow. Totally different sled, it really rips now. I put about 250 miles on it since the fix but am going to pull the y pipe and head to check it out for piece of mind

 

[Bossman]

2010 Dragon To "FIX" or not

Let me start by saying that the FIX KIT is a great product. However, if you are installing one, they are very clear about what the piston-to-cylinder clearance should be. Your monoblock may have to be rechromed before installing the kit, but that is imperative no matter which pistons you use.

There are some other options to consider when you have 2010 cylinders, since they offer more piston skirt support than the 08 and 09 models. I have had good luck with Wiseco pistons when used with the 3.3 reflash and a PCV5 controller with the right program. When the Polaris Engine Design Team was in West this spring, one of them stated that the 2011 Pro pistons could be used in 09 and 10 800 engines and would offer much more durability. I plan to give that a try this winter on on my own sled.

Getting back to the clearance thing, many of the Polaris programs, especially those prior to the 3.3 reflash, were far too lean in the midrange and the pistons that were installed at the proper clearance would over-expand and score or seize at lower RPM's. Pistons that were installed with a loose fit would wear the skirts rapidly and would often break. The "FIX" seems to be reliable without a fuel controller, but I would not be without one otherwise.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I'll jump right in and tell you that the D8 is a great sled IMO. I know there were several problems but I never had an issue with my 09. I always run at 9,000+ so maybe that helps a little. I never did the piston update but had all the Polaris updates done. I also did a high comp. head and stock pipe mod and that sled flat ripped! It would annihilate my Pro, it just didn't get up on the snow as well.

I think the D8's do need more attention to avoid problems. The Mtn Tek kit is a good idea but as others said I would pay close attention to tolerance. Do you still have a warranty? If so I'd stay stock and let Polaris deal with it. The problem is if the sled goes you could be sitting at home waiting on parts. Tough call.

 

[151Viper]

I had an 09 800rmk that I put about 1100 mile on with zero problems and I was fully happy with the sled. I had a pc5 on it with dtr's map and made sure it was warmed up completely before setting out. I am going to pull the exhaust on this one and check out the pistons before I make any decisions. There is still some warranty left also. I sure appreciate the different opinions here.

Sent from my mwp6985 using Board Express

 

[IndoubtGASIT]

I have a 09 D8 and a 10 D8. I talked with my dealer about what we should do to make them more reliable about the issues etc. We decided to do the Pro 11pistons in both of them. Looking forward to this set-up. Absolutly love these sleds!

 

[augerin]

"Fix" it and forget it. IMO it's not if its when.

 

[2006m7]

do not get the fix kit the 2010 polaris motors were updated and they are completely fine the 09 motors are the **** motors don't waste your money!

 

[green_denali]

2010 800

I have a 2010 D8 with a stock motor, no mods except for v-force reeds.
I just put the slp pipe on this summer. Here are pictures of my pistons
after 700 miles on my sled. The ones where you can see the rings are
the clutch side, the other are the exhaust side. I ride in the 0-3000 ft.
range and this is with the 2010 factory fuel mapping.

 

[754bigbore]

do not get the fix kit the 2010 polaris motors were updated and they are completely fine the 09 motors are the **** motors don't waste your money!

You have had one apart after putting some miles on and it is okay?

 

[151Viper]

I am going to ride my sled the way it is this year since it looks like I will not get many miles on it anyways. If all the reviews on the fix kit stay good I will be putting one on next summer.

 

[Polaris RMK M.M.R.]

do not get the fix kit the 2010 polaris motors were updated and they are completely fine the 09 motors are the **** motors don't waste your money!

I know this kid, he is full of $#it, and just bought his sled. The 2010 motors are not any better than the 2009. He has not taken his motor apart and checked anything to do with pistons like I have.

I just installed my fix kit. I had a little bit of scoring on my 2009 D8 with 2121 miles on it. The updated 2 ring pistons were EXTREMLY sloppy. With the fix kit installed, the sloppiness was gone. It is well worth the money to invest in. I am very pleased with it so far! Go for it and call Shawn at PMS Polaris! He was very knowledgeable and a great guy to work with

 

[Polaris RMK M.M.R.]

You have had one apart after putting some miles on and it is okay?

He has not....

 

[drypowder]

if its still under warranty i would leave it alone . also if u have warranty on it now .. you can add extra warranty to it.
I have a friend who had 1800 miles on his 10 800 and than it went.

 

[jim9006]

To the OP,
IMO ask yourself this.... How many miles is it to the parking lot? Balance that answer with your checkbook and you'll have your answer. I to had a perfectly running dragon for about 600mi. A pre-season checkup revealed one of my cylinders was cracked at the skirt base. I ride approx. 20mi or more from the parking lot most of the time. I now have the fix kit and as hard as it is for me to imagine, the sled runs even better than it did before.

 

[KJAssault]

To the OP,
IMO ask yourself this.... How many miles is it to the parking lot? Balance that answer with your checkbook and you'll have your answer. I to had a perfectly running dragon for about 600mi. A pre-season checkup revealed one of my cylinders was cracked at the skirt base. I ride approx. 20mi or more from the parking lot most of the time. I now have the fix kit and as hard as it is for me to imagine, the sled runs even better than it did before.

x2 the longer you run the stock piston the more they slap the skirt the better chance your have of getting to spend up to a grand more for a monoblock because the skirt bases do crack. then you risk a piece that breaking and going down into the crank. bad medicine from there.

ps thats a good formula there jim.

 

[754bigbore]

He has not....

didn't think so