Polaris update

[Flange509]

So two people have had problems and now their all junk,come on.Mines runnin great, power feels much stronger,at 1700 miles Polaris rebuilds my motor for free and its stronger than before. I come from the dirt bike world where a warranty is unheard of,much less rebuilding for free after two years.I've only got 35 miles on my rebuild but i'm stoked for the season.

 

[Farmington Motorsports #9]

Man, some of you guys have to pull your heads out of polaris's azz! They were junk in 08 and fixed for 09, guess what? Junk.. Now the new fix is what? Can we all say it all at once, JJJJJunk. So cheap playing the blame game if it make you feel better... Just calling a spade a spade. If I could sell mines I would, just can't find anyone that stuiped around here... Can't wait to get another walk out of the woods this year.

After this post I think I know where this guy got his username...

 

[Meat Head]

So two people have had problems and now their all junk,come on.Mines runnin great, power feels much stronger,at 1700 miles Polaris rebuilds my motor for free and its stronger than before. I come from the dirt bike world where a warranty is unheard of,much less rebuilding for free after two years.I've only got 35 miles on my rebuild but i'm stoked for the season.

Boy a whole 35 miles and you are saying it's fixed... Brain washed maybe? I will be the first to say it's fixed after 2000 hard miles, till then it's a 3 time loser. As far as 2 down, not to good odds when the season has not really started.

 

[94fordguy]

Maybe this has been posted before, as I have not read this whole thread or payed a whole lot of attention to the 800s lately, but here's my question for those with extensive 800 knowledge or problems...


How are the sleds being broken in?

Are they being heat soaked thoroughly before leaving the parking lot, and then ridden moderately easy for the first 5 miles or so before riding the living pi$$ out of it for the rest of the ride?

OR

Are they being broken in like an old lady driving to the grocery store Sunday morning?

I've heard lotsa cases from people (not necessarily sledders) who break their engines in by the book that have WAY more problems than people who ride em or drive em like they stole it.

Just something I have been wondering....

 

[constructionLake]

Where are you gettin the number 2 from. I can count 4 different guys in this thread with scuffed pistons on the new update, and another guy in a different thread.
Then there is the handful of guys who have a flooding problem.
Now it's an intake boot causing the problem, or is it the thermostat, wait maybe bad fuel.

The motor has been a hand gernade since it came out in 08, the 900 was a complete failure, and the 05-02 rmk, uhmm another great product.
I'm going to save you all the suspense and call the update what it is. Lip service just to keep you quiet until the snow flys.

 

[POZZY]

JUST PIN IT!!! every snowmobile has or will have issues.. It's the way she f'n go's..

 

[sledneck_03]

whatever.............wait 2 months, 4-100 complainers it dosent matter how many, there are thousands of 800s are getting the update.

i want to know how the 2010s are going also the xp 800 is still a pos no matter what, doo boys can say whatever they want i know tons that have blown, more than i know of polaris's that have

the 09 m8 might have been good but wait 2 months and lets see how the 2010 is, cat hasnt had the best record either with motors

 

[600xc4me]

Maybe this has been posted before, as I have not read this whole thread or payed a whole lot of attention to the 800s lately, but here's my question for those with extensive 800 knowledge or problems...


How are the sleds being broken in?

Are they being heat soaked thoroughly before leaving the parking lot, and then ridden moderately easy for the first 5 miles or so before riding the living pi$$ out of it for the rest of the ride?

OR

Are they being broken in like an old lady driving to the grocery store Sunday morning?

I've heard lotsa cases from people (not necessarily sledders) who break their engines in by the book that have WAY more problems than people who ride em or drive em like they stole it.

Just something I have been wondering....

That's a good question. And that's why I say it was broken in RIGHT. I heat soaked it twice before getting on the throttle at all. (not sure if that really helps or not but I did it anyway) Really warmed it up, took it easy for the first twenty min or so of the ride, then after that I wasn't scared to run wide open, not more than a few seconds at a time, but wide open non the less. After about 3/4 tank of gas I started running it like a stole it. Wide open for about 1/4 mile, and it ran really good. Couldn't complain anyway. I checked my pistons for blow by and any scoring every 1/4 tank of gas or so, just to make sure, keep an eye on them and see how they were breaking in. Not everyone will agree with this method of break in, but I do. A few buddies of mine use the same method, but on their older sleds. One of them broke his 03 700 RMK in at the drags, and it's a screamer. Really really runs well for the sled that it is. Keeps up with all the D8's in our group on problem.

 

[Kraven]

that's a good question. And that's why i say it was broken in right. I heat soaked it twice before getting on the throttle at all. (not sure if that really helps or not but i did it anyway) really warmed it up, took it easy for the first twenty min or so of the ride, then after that i wasn't scared to run wide open, not more than a few seconds at a time, but wide open non the less. After about 3/4 tank of gas i started running it like a stole it. Wide open for about 1/4 mile, and it ran really good. Couldn't complain anyway. I checked my pistons for blow by and any scoring every 1/4 tank of gas or so, just to make sure, keep an eye on them and see how they were breaking in. Not everyone will agree with this method of break in, but i do. A few buddies of mine use the same method, but on their older sleds. One of them broke his 03 700 rmk in at the drags, and it's a screamer. Really really runs well for the sled that it is. Keeps up with all the d8's in our group on problem.

Agreed!

 

[Flange509]

Boy a whole 35 miles and you are saying it's fixed... Brain washed maybe? I will be the first to say it's fixed after 2000 hard miles, till then it's a 3 time loser. As far as 2 down, not to good odds when the season has not really started.

It already had 1700 hard miles with no problems so their was no fix needed just got a new top end with no charge. I'm saying I got a new motor that ran great before and now runs fantastic and to call it junk is just stupid after two machines with a problem.How many of these recalls were done and how many differant mechanics worked on them

 

[karnedge]

i got to wonder..why are some guys taking it apart to look? have you ever heard.."can of worms! do not open" if it runs good ..why the hell would you rip into it? maybe thats whats wrong.put your tools away shut up and ride! if it blows take it to the dealer and let them fix it..just becuase you think you can dont mean you should!

 

[skibreeze]

i got to wonder..why are some guys taking it apart to look? have you ever heard.."can of worms! do not open" if it runs good ..why the hell would you rip into it? maybe thats whats wrong.put your tools away shut up and ride! if it blows take it to the dealer and let them fix it..just becuase you think you can dont mean you should!

How do you consider pulling exhaust valves to look at pistons, opening a can of worms? The whole point is to try to narrow down exactly why and when when the problems are occuring. By doing meticulous watching of what was going on, I was able to find very valuable clues as to why I was having issues. Because of this I only missed out on one w/e of riding. Waiting for it to just blow up is stupid, but hey it's your riding time.

 

[stay tuned]

Inspect what you expect.

09 Dragon. Had the updates done and before I rode it I pulled the cylinders off to install SLP's twin pipes. Found a piece of aluminum a little larger than 1/8" stuck on and through the base gasket. It was pressed flat into the gasket. The cylinders were not honed. I had to buy the base gasket and they wanted to charge me to hone the cyl's. Said there was a bulletin saying that if they did not need honing they did not have to hone them. I ask to see that bulletin, they could not find it. They honed the cyl's. Base gasket should be here tomorrow. I have a good machine shop straight edge and will check the case and cylinders.

 

[Trenchmaster]

Sounds like most of the issues guys are having are more dealer related than Polaris Corp. related. I had my recall done and have only done a couple of heat cycles on the sled stand, but it starts and idles and turns the track like a mother. I never had any problem with my 08 in 1000 miles and I hope it runs as good with the new update. Sounds like the new M8 is the sled to beat I hope our D8's kick there azzes, Doo sucks!!!

 

[karnedge]

How do you consider pulling exhaust valves to look at pistons, opening a can of worms? The whole point is to try to narrow down exactly why and when when the problems are occuring. By doing meticulous watching of what was going on, I was able to find very valuable clues as to why I was having issues. Because of this I only missed out on one w/e of riding. Waiting for it to just blow up is stupid, but hey it's your riding time.

what i said is..if its running fine why would you rip into it? some guys(this may or may not be you..i dont know you) think that if i go buy some tools im some kinda tech..thats what i think is most of the issues.. look at it like this..if you drive your truck to work and it ran fine..why would you go home and start to take it apart to see if something maybe wrong? thats stupid.. not only that but how many dealer are going to let some backyard greasemonkey tell them whats wrong? if you were in there shoes would you?

 

[rocket]

You have a point to an extent, but too many dealers nowdays have "techs" working on sleds that don't know half of what some of the "backyard grease monkeys" know. One of the great things about these forums is that WE often have better information than the dealer does, unless you're fortunate enough to be able to deal with Carls or similar. Too many dealers don't know any more than what Polaris tells them and Polaris doesn't tell them any more than what they want him to know. My dealer has gone round in circles with Polaris dealing with issues on various CFI sleds and it's always "Just change this" or "Just do that". No troubleshooting, no explanations, no information besides what they want him to do.

 

[karnedge]

You have a point to an extent, but too many dealers nowdays have "techs" working on sleds that don't know half of what some of the "backyard grease monkeys" know. One of the great things about these forums is that WE often have better information than the dealer does, unless you're fortunate enough to be able to deal with Carls or similar. Too many dealers don't know any more than what Polaris tells them and Polaris doesn't tell them any more than what they want him to know. My dealer has gone round in circles with Polaris dealing with issues on various CFI sleds and it's always "Just change this" or "Just do that". No troubleshooting, no explanations, no information besides what they want him to do.

i 100% agree.. but how many guys in here are the real deal? and what works for some may not for others..dealers ..like i have read and said.. brand is only part of a sale ..if you dont have a good dealer i wouldnt buy..have you ever seen the guy that screws with stuff to the point he turns it into junk(not only sleds) then he thinks he is some kinda guru? how would be tell if we are dealing with "that guy" or doctor polaris himself? i read lots on here but my real info comes from a polaris engineer..(friend of a friend)

 

[Ron]

You have a point to an extent, but too many dealers nowdays have "techs" working on sleds that don't know half of what some of the "backyard grease monkeys" know. One of the great things about these forums is that WE often have better information than the dealer does, unless you're fortunate enough to be able to deal with Carls or similar. Too many dealers don't know any more than what Polaris tells them and Polaris doesn't tell them any more than what they want him to know. My dealer has gone round in circles with Polaris dealing with issues on various CFI sleds and it's always "Just change this" or "Just do that". No troubleshooting, no explanations, no information besides what they want him to do.

Agree 100%, might add that unless you become "knowledgeable" about your sled you are doomed to pay a high price for dealer maint. Many won't spend the money, so have issues that could be avoided with TLC. In most riding groups there are experienced sledders that are willing to help or teach the basic's. I help a lot of new riders with the basic's and find that those that do some of their own work are way ahead, have better running sleds that last longer.
Even a good tech today is point and shoot, working against flat rate labor allowances for most work. Find a tech that owns a sled and you are two steps ahead of the game. Polaris is people and they are have layers of experience with the least experienced in contact with dealers on warranty or other issues. The larger dealers send several techs, Svc mgrs, etc to the annual Poo school so they learn from the most senior levels at Poo...this process also builds relationships for future contact with complex issues. Sleds are complicated and technically challenging-this has probably left some mechanic's unable to keep up.
Most purchase a new sled based on price but would be ahead to shop for a good dealer first and then make the purchase decision second.

 

[skibreeze]

what i said is..if its running fine why would you rip into it? some guys(this may or may not be you..i dont know you) think that if i go buy some tools im some kinda tech..thats what i think is most of the issues.. look at it like this..if you drive your truck to work and it ran fine..why would you go home and start to take it apart to see if something maybe wrong? thats stupid.. not only that but how many dealer are going to let some backyard greasemonkey tell them whats wrong? if you were in there shoes would you?

My sled had over 1,200 miles on it when it seized solid, I had to tow it out. I guarantee that there were signs if scoring long before that day. At that point there weren't that many guys having issues with scored pistons, so I never looked . That is not true today and based on the fact that so many are scoring pistons, I can't imagine any person wouldn't look to see.

I'll use your truck analagy. If the truck was notorious for appearing to run fine yet scoring pistons at the same time and you could take off a small part with 2 bolts that was extremely accessable, you'd be crazy to travel out to where there were no services for miles around, without checking it first.

I do agree that there are alot of folks that are not capable of reliably working on sleds, I ride with some. You may not get a thank you from Polaris, but I'm sure that they appreciate being told that the pistons are scored quickly vs having it totally seized up and needing a new monoblock and pistons.

 

[tukernater]

All brands have good and bad thing's on the go, i'm a old polaris rider but switched to doo becuase the dealer rocks, are cat dealer is a #@%K Head ,but checked this forum to see if there updates are working out,i've had poo blow up in 500 miles,i've had poo go 4600 miles no problems gas and oil thats it .Ive got rev 800 ho drag sled now ,1 set piston's1 set off rings,over400 poundes of NOS, Last 30 pounds was a 90 shot the orignal bottom end 7467 miles.I also have two XP'S 1-09 -800 146x AND SDI-08- 600xp rengX love both haven't had the troubles others have had,Im not sure if any brands is better than the next,they all seem to have some gremlins.I will keep a eye on this post becuase poo is next best thing for me.