Hello, My wife and I purched two new polaris sleds this last January. I got a 2010 D8 and my wife got a 2008 RMK 600, Both sleds were left overs and were priced at a very good deal. We both rode an 03 RMK 800 and a 03 RMK 600. We had been avid riders for the past three or four years. The next logical step was to upgrade our sleds . Well the 2008 600 RMK has been a great problem free sled. The D8 on the other hand has been nothing but problems and has me thinking I should have kept my old rmk?? Well the first 100 or so miles went great. Then at 180 miles we went riding at Baker for the first time and I lost the stator up at the top. That was a fun trip back to the truck. Dropped the sled off,ends up it was a common problem and was fixed along with the latest and greatest flash? Next at 275 miles I lost the top end, the mag side piston and crankshaft to be exact. Then I was good for another 175 miles until I lost another top end? Not sure wich side? Did not really care at that point. I just took it to the dealer and dropped it off since it was under warranty. Well that is going on 7 months ago now. I called once a week at first and they told me the cylinder was back ordered each time. Then they would keep giving me diffrent availabilty dates only for the date to come and get pushed out month after month. Then at the end of September I was told that a factory Polaris tech was being flown out the second week in October and was bringing a new cylinder and was going to assemble my sled and try to figure out the problem. Well the second week in October has came and went now. The tech cancled and said it was due to the cylinder being unavailable. When he was asked when the cylinder would be available he replied date unkown on availability??? Now at this point you can imagine I am at the end of my rope with this sled and Polaris. The dealership that is doing my warranty work has been as helpfull as they can be,but nothing is getting done? I am making payments as well as insurance payments on a sled I dont have and cant ride?? This just makes no sence to me at all. I bought a new Chevy truck and they would never get away with telling customers there cylinders are on back order and they dont know when they would be available or hold my truck hostage for 7 months. Why does Polaris get away with doing this? I have did some research and found out there is no lemon law for snowmobiles in Washington state. I contacted an attorney that informed me that there is the consumer protection act that can be used in my situation? I dont really trust lawyers much and have lost alot of $$ on false promises from them in the past. I was also informed that there is a factory buy back program? When I contacted Polaris they said they had no buy back program? I was informed from a factory dealer that is does exsist,but its rare and does not happen too often. I guess I am looking for some input or any help from people that have delt with similer issues. I am frustrated at this point and want too know what my options are? Thanks for any help you have to offer.
Please!! Need any help or info on my 2010 D8
- Thread starter ANIMAL MOTHER
- Start date
I just checked..the 2010 800 cylinder is on backorder till 11-9-11..ok..first things first...the 10 is reasonable reliable compared to the 08 and 09 800s, but they still arnt reliable enough..at this point in time..if you love the sled..you have 2 choices..wait for the dealer to get parts and fix it(and hope they find the real culprit and do a proper repair)or fix it your self with a fix it kit (new pistons.shim kit and stuff that really helps with making engine live, regardless which you choose to do, once the motor is repaired right I would go over the fuel/electronics with a fine toothed comb..new fuel filter, check every sensors signal out put to make sure it is dead nuts at where its supposed to be, check and set TPs sensor with a multimeter (high quality one at that) rather then the digital wrench(issues with digital wrenches accuracy with the tps), then add a PC-5 fuel controller with the right map for your ecm flash...then when riding..do not ever ever sit at 1 part throttle setting..alway blip the throttle while riding..and lastly..if none of these ideas apeal to you..check your states lemon laws..and sue polaris industries and the dealer both for failure to fix your vehicle... in AK. that is an easy win with a dragon ..asking that polaris and the dealer refund your full purchase price plus all accessories and charges against the lemon machine..then go buy a new sled of your choice....they are a great sled when they run right..but it also takes a bit of work to really dial them in right..good luck...
P
pura vida
Well-known member
as much as it sucks, if i were you, i would give up on the dealer/polaris and fix it myself. contact PMS and buy the fix kit. i know it sucks having to spend money on the sled that should be under warranty but i rather have a running sled that i trust won't eat another top end than wait on polaris. polaris fixing it doesn't mean it is going to be fix. if they put the same parts in again that have already failed twice, how much are you going to trust it? more than likely your cylinder isn't totally wasted and can have it re-nick from millennium or us-crome. i've used both and they both do good work. if i was you, this is what i would do. if i still had my 09, which ran great for me for 1200 miles, the fix kit would be in the sled by now. and i am installing one of the kits in my buddies 2010 assault that has never ran well from day one (real bad stumble). good luck, i hope you get it figured out before the snow comes.
pv
pv
P
pura vida
Well-known member
i guess the worst case scenario would be to wait for polaris to fix you sled and then sell it for what you can get out of it and pick up a new/used pro (over all you sound like you are a polaris fan). the new 600 pro is pretty b.a. too... as much as i liked my dragon, the pro really is a significant improvement.
pv
pv
I think waiting out the parts vs fixing it on your own is the way to go. Pressure the dealer daily so you are on the top of the list for a fix. It is up to you but either way sounds like you may be in for more of the same which sucks. A few fix kits (pistons etc) are listed here but you will be into it for a significant percentage of the sled cost if you go that route. It comes down to cost benefit analysis, Is it worth it to put more $ into it or walk away. Only you can decide but if you decide to sell the sled I would sell it quickly. I had a 10 RMK holdover, ran 1000 miles and had no issues, sold it for 1000 less than I paid and ordered a pro. Lots of other guys have had the same from the 10 but there are more than a few with issues that have felt they took it up the pipe from Polaris.
Thanks guys for the opinions. Has anyone delt with a factory buy back before?
E
EricW
Well-known member
Only factory buy back program I am aware of is on the 11 Pro's and it is just a $1000 gift credit card you get back one you trade your 11 pro for a 12 pro.
That said, I call BS on the "can't find a cylinder" excuse. I bet if it was the dealers only demo and he was headed for Revelstoke he could find one. I would wait till the 11/9 date that AK posted since there probably won't be any snow anyway. If they don't have you covered at that time, tell them I have all the parts you need if they are serious about getting it going and they can pay me or replace them later to me just to get you going.
I would Call Michelle at Oregon Trail Sports 541-523-3500, or Chris Kasel at Carl's Cycle 208-853-5550 and I bet you find that the parts are out there if the dealer really wants them.
To add to the preventative list above I would read through the "Increasing Your IQ" sticky thread at the top of this section. You should have the dealer check the oil injection linkage adjustment (mine was way lean=piston failure) You should also track the oil consumption vs gas consumtion when you get it back to identify a ratio that should not be any more than 40:1 in my opinion. I run closer to 30:1 with no issues on our boosted sleds. Also look at the electronics thread at the additional grounding wires for the ECU/mounting Plate. There are some pics I took in there if I remember right. Getting your dealers tech to read some of that stuff and the above suggestions is a good idea too. I have not met a tech yet that couldn't pick up a few things from the vast wealth of experience found on this forum.
I sure hope they make it right for you, can't imagine the frustration. Shoot me a PM with contact # if you need to talk more. Good luck. EW
That said, I call BS on the "can't find a cylinder" excuse. I bet if it was the dealers only demo and he was headed for Revelstoke he could find one. I would wait till the 11/9 date that AK posted since there probably won't be any snow anyway. If they don't have you covered at that time, tell them I have all the parts you need if they are serious about getting it going and they can pay me or replace them later to me just to get you going.
I would Call Michelle at Oregon Trail Sports 541-523-3500, or Chris Kasel at Carl's Cycle 208-853-5550 and I bet you find that the parts are out there if the dealer really wants them.
To add to the preventative list above I would read through the "Increasing Your IQ" sticky thread at the top of this section. You should have the dealer check the oil injection linkage adjustment (mine was way lean=piston failure) You should also track the oil consumption vs gas consumtion when you get it back to identify a ratio that should not be any more than 40:1 in my opinion. I run closer to 30:1 with no issues on our boosted sleds. Also look at the electronics thread at the additional grounding wires for the ECU/mounting Plate. There are some pics I took in there if I remember right. Getting your dealers tech to read some of that stuff and the above suggestions is a good idea too. I have not met a tech yet that couldn't pick up a few things from the vast wealth of experience found on this forum.
I sure hope they make it right for you, can't imagine the frustration. Shoot me a PM with contact # if you need to talk more. Good luck. EW
X
xc6rider
Well-known member
I took a big hit on trading mine this spring after just buying it last fall. So fortunate I didn't end up with a similar problem. Being as how all the cylinders are "backordered" I wonder if Polaris hasn't been trying to do another new cylinder design to help clean up some of the dragon problems, or if they aren't just trying to somehow eliminate most of the warrantied units still out there. Makes ya wonder....
This story has been told far to often on these sleds. You need to decide if you want the sled or are you ready to move on. This sled and it's problems will NOT be repaired by Polaris under warranty. Far to many issues plaguing this motor. Everything from the fueling to poor tolerances and just plain cutting corners on critical parts.
The aftermarket, a lot of sweat and tears, probably some cursing, and a bank loan and you can fix it yourself.
Otherwise push your dealer and see if they can work a deal with Polaris, or are willing to do something for you on another sled. Unfortunately, many people are finding another brand very appealing after having a dragon. I know Polaris won't apologize for this, but I know myself and others are truly sorry you have to go through this.
The aftermarket, a lot of sweat and tears, probably some cursing, and a bank loan and you can fix it yourself.
Otherwise push your dealer and see if they can work a deal with Polaris, or are willing to do something for you on another sled. Unfortunately, many people are finding another brand very appealing after having a dragon. I know Polaris won't apologize for this, but I know myself and others are truly sorry you have to go through this.
P
pura vida
Well-known member
all things considered i think the PMS (btw do NOT google "pms fix kit"! it works but the first few links have nothing to do with snowmachines...
let me count the ways it is better to be a guy 1,2,3...∞ 
) is pretty fairly priced. $585 for the kit that will pretty much fix the motor issues. plus when i talked to them they did not recommend or see the need for a PC5. of course you have to add shipping but as i said before if i still had my 09 this would be going on it and mine ran great. to me, for 600ish, it is a no brainer. i would look at it as a mod to make my sled run stronger, faster, better and not a warranty thing. and i always spend more than that each year on different "mods" and upgrades. why wait for warranty when they are going to use the same flawed parts that you won't have any confidence in. it sucks but i'd drop the coin and have something i would be a lot more confident in getting me home without my buddies towing me out all the time. (been there, done that. it sucks for everyone.) of course i have the tools, time, and ability to do all the work myself and i'm not taking into the possibility of cylinder damage, but even worse case scenario you shouldn't be looking at too much over a grand. don't get me wrong, that is not a small number but it is a hell of a lot less than what it would cost you to sell the sled after it has been warrantied and upgrade to something new. that's just me. more than anything i guess it would come down to your frustration level which wasn't that high for me b/c mine ran well. but i had to have the new chassis... good luck, hope you can get it worked out.
pv
let me count the ways it is better to be a guy 1,2,3...∞ ) is pretty fairly priced. $585 for the kit that will pretty much fix the motor issues. plus when i talked to them they did not recommend or see the need for a PC5. of course you have to add shipping but as i said before if i still had my 09 this would be going on it and mine ran great. to me, for 600ish, it is a no brainer. i would look at it as a mod to make my sled run stronger, faster, better and not a warranty thing. and i always spend more than that each year on different "mods" and upgrades. why wait for warranty when they are going to use the same flawed parts that you won't have any confidence in. it sucks but i'd drop the coin and have something i would be a lot more confident in getting me home without my buddies towing me out all the time. (been there, done that. it sucks for everyone.) of course i have the tools, time, and ability to do all the work myself and i'm not taking into the possibility of cylinder damage, but even worse case scenario you shouldn't be looking at too much over a grand. don't get me wrong, that is not a small number but it is a hell of a lot less than what it would cost you to sell the sled after it has been warrantied and upgrade to something new. that's just me. more than anything i guess it would come down to your frustration level which wasn't that high for me b/c mine ran well. but i had to have the new chassis... good luck, hope you can get it worked out.pv
Last edited:
Thanks again guys! Got some good ideas from here. I have a few irons in the fire right now. I will keep you all posted on the positive and or more likley the negitive?? lol!! Thanks again!!!
S
sykosledhead
Well-known member
.??
Why can't u just trade it in on a pro. Might be the same amount of money. Make the dealer give a fair price since he sold the damn thing to ya, put that down on a 2011-2012pro and whalla, your problems are solved plus you have twice the sled.
Just a crazy thought.
Syko
Why can't u just trade it in on a pro. Might be the same amount of money. Make the dealer give a fair price since he sold the damn thing to ya, put that down on a 2011-2012pro and whalla, your problems are solved plus you have twice the sled.
Just a crazy thought.
Syko
Problem is that some dealers wont even take them, my friend and I just went through this. First 3 local area dealers said they would not take a d800 in trade, then Carl's steped up and did. long drive but great dealer. Oh and expect to get around 5 grand credit if that. the d8 is fast becoming a very poor value item.
Are you sure it wasn't your bank calling for charitable donations?
Stupid banks anyways, they gotta make money some how eh?
B
bigfeet
New member
08 dragon 800
so if i supposedly have the fix from polaris dealer and i have around 300 miles on my 800 dragon i should still call pms and tear my dragon apart and put there stuff in ?? really worried its going to leave me stranded !! **** my friends dont even want to ride with me anymore cause of this **** with the 800! i rather fix it while it runs perfect or do i leave it .thanx alot