strange noise on my 2010 M8

[_AJ_]

The sled has been making a weird tone for the last few rides. It only happens at really low RPMs and speeds. I've been following the kids on some trail rides and this sound is getting really annoying. It only happens between 4600 and 5000 rpm. When normal riding, you never hear it and the sled runs great.

I tried filming it last weekend and like an idiot I had my finger over the lens for most of it. You can hear it faintly but it didn't come through as well as I liked. I'll try again this weekend.

If I were to try and describe the sound, I's say it was like rubbing your wet finger on the rim of a glass half full of water. It's a tone that resonates at a lower rpm like when cruising easy down the trail.

Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV7dF6PYqtI

Any ideas? I've ridden a few more 2010 M8's and none of them make that sound.

I'm working with my dealer and they are talking with Cat. We tried swapping the stock exhaust with a new one but that had no effect. Hopefully I can get a better capture of it on the next ride.

 

[Knox]

what kind of snow conditions?......had a familiar sound happen when doing down the trail in very poor snow conditions and it turned out to be hifax makin the low droning noise...just an idea... i havent heard anything comin from the engine that resembles that type of noise tho

 

[sledbilly]

AJ

some ideas to look for

heat shield vibrating
exhaust springs, try siliconing
can rubbing on outlet

 

[Flange]

Maybe its an exhaust spring vibrating. Put some high temp silicone on them.

 

[Diamond8]

Maybe its an exhaust spring vibrating. Put some high temp silicone on them.

X2............had the same thing when ridding at slower speeds with my son ridding in front of me. It's the springs that hold the clam shell on around the expansion chamber on the pipe. Just put some hi-temp silicone on them and whalla! Bingo! No more funny harmonic. Hope this helps ya out man........have fun......be safe.

Dave

 

[Destroyer]

Check out this thread.
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=203641

There is another 2010 localy doing it. And A dealer down the road said 80% of their customers are complaining of the same symptoms but they can't find the cause...I call BS. Just no dealer is willing to put in the time to find it because cat won't pay them to diagnose. They wait till they blow up.

It noises seem random as in different speeds and rpms, but the symptom is the same.

One guy heard me complaining...waited outside to tell me his buddies 2010 did the same thng before his crank siezed do to a water pump shaft issue.

 

[skimike]

if its a 2010 just drive it like you stole it , it will break soon if something is wrong

 

[dfinn]

Mine is making similar noises. I got louder at the end of the day today, only have about 60 miles on the sled. I noticed mostly when I was off the throttle and coasting down the trail. It was like a medium pitch hum.

 

[_AJ_]

I've siliconed all the springs but did not do the ones on the heat shield. I'll try that next. It's really bugging be. I took it back out this weekend and got some more video of it for my dealer and AC to review. All I can do is try peoples suggestions at this point. Unfortunately, it impossible to make it do it in the shop and would be useless for me to drop it off for diagnosis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRyXYwSkhLw

AJ

 

[mhanson]

Sounds like any other sled to me...they are gonna make noises at different rpms due to exhaust variances....ride it and forget it!

 

[markoo]

Sound like something is really vibrating. It only does it at 4500 rpm? Check your primary clutch spring for wear. maybe its vibrating or broken.

 

[summit-x]

my 2010 vibrates all the time, just ride it, and forget it lol

 

[Klimbing Kitty]

Its the springs that hold your clam shell together. Had the same problem on mine. Tighten it up one hole and forget about it.

 

[Mr. BB]

Here's what I found on my '09. The black seal that fits over the hub of the DD output and is driven by the trackshaft was making a whining noise. When I had DD out I coated hub and inside of seal and that completely cured it for about 40 mi. Now its back to making way softer sound now. Haven't pursued it any further yet, doesn't bother me as much now that I know what it is. Seal has actually worn a smooth ,narrow line around hub. If all else fails you might check this. I squirted WD-40 on hub and under seal and tested it around shop, had snow then, and it changed the sound. Took DD out to replace bearing that was failing on a lot of sleds, caught mine in time, it was coming apart. So I did my lube job. Good luck.

 

[jaws136]

I have exacgt same harmonic buzzing as AJ that came at 170 miles, ears still buzzin 2 days later. I agree with climbing kitty, as i noticed bands were rotating around heat shield but didn't tighten up to see, but kitty has it i bet.

 

[_AJ_]

First ride of this season and the noise is definitely still there. I've siliconed all the springs, sprayed the seal with WD-40 . It sounds like it's coming from right of center but very hard to tell. I pulled the oem can and swapped it with another one. While I was in there, I looked around for rubs etc but found none.


It only does it around 15 mph's easin down the trail. It's very loud and annoying. I've sent the video to my dealer and they forwarded it to Cat. No suggestions.

I'm afraid my warranty will run out before it reveals itself and I'll be left holding the bag.

I love the sled and would hate to have to trade it off.

AJ

 

[Monty]

How many miles on it now, sounds like something resonating from the exhaust to me?

 

[bosscat800]

Last time mine my a "weird" noise it was the diamond drive! Hope that is not your problem.

 

[_AJ_]

It has about 460 miles on it. I just overhauled the diamond drive and addressed the bearing issues while in there. My dealer suggests I try a super Q can but I really wanna keep it quiet. I did swap OEM cans and it didn't make a difference.

 

[Monty]

I'd try an aftermarket can just to see, maybe someone can just loan you theirs to try