Hello everyone, I’m new to this sport and I’d like to ask the existing members some questions. Why are so many sled with low mileage advertised with rebuilt top ends? Why are these engines not lasting tens of thousands of miles? Should I be concerned about buying a used sled? Will I have to have the engine rebuilt after just 2 or 3 thousand miles? Is it that these sleds are abused, or do the engines have an inherent weakness?
Top end rebuilds
- Thread starter Tank747
- Start date
2 stroke motors are prone to top end wear more so than 4s.
I rebuild mine around 2000 for peace of mind.
That being said.., lots of fellas get many more miles than that. If you lose a piston it has potential to do lots more damage. I can rebuild my poo top end for around 450. Cat is even cheaper. Super cheap insurance.
As your new to the sport let me just say... start learning to wrench (assuming your not already there) It’s half the fun and is invaluable in the woods.
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I rebuild mine around 2000 for peace of mind.
That being said.., lots of fellas get many more miles than that. If you lose a piston it has potential to do lots more damage. I can rebuild my poo top end for around 450. Cat is even cheaper. Super cheap insurance.
As your new to the sport let me just say... start learning to wrench (assuming your not already there) It’s half the fun and is invaluable in the woods.
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Those who ride hard will be real lucky for their mill to spin 2,000 miles or about 100 hours before needing a top end. Polaris and Rotax are known to wear out around the 2,000 mile mark (usually piston related failures). It's wise to re-piston and re-ring every 1,800 miles if you want trouble free riding. These motors create an incredible amount of horsepower per cc. Arctic Cat appears to have built a better mousetrap than others as most Cat diehards won't even think worn pistons or cylinders prior to at least 3,000 miles. I can't help but think some of it is a designed in failure yielding sales as most people might ride 400 miles a year at and 5 years down the road their sled craters so they feel it's about time to buy a new one. I for instance ride 2,000 to 2,400 miles a season and usually get at least 3 new motors out of the manufacturer on warranty before I feel I need to start the process over.
I believe it's all up to the rider;
If you do a lot of family type riding, I have seen lots of sleds go 10,000 miles.
If you'r the high marking guy I think 2,000, maybe 3,000 miles.
Then there are the, wap, wap, wap, wap, throttle guys, I think this useless, trail destroying riding is also the most engine destroying.
If you do a lot of family type riding, I have seen lots of sleds go 10,000 miles.
If you'r the high marking guy I think 2,000, maybe 3,000 miles.
Then there are the, wap, wap, wap, wap, throttle guys, I think this useless, trail destroying riding is also the most engine destroying.
^^^^^this!
Yea, like I have never towed a dead cat back with a blown motor.
Its not just the motor..... Its the entire sled. The Manufactures are building very light weight, high horse power sleds these days. The entire sled wears out very quick and needs lots of attention. The top end is the most money if it fails, but the clutches, suspension (shafts, bushings, shocks), steering, chaincase, drive line bearings...etc
If your looking at a 2-4yr old sled with 1500-2500 miles on it and its been ridden hard in the mountains and hasn't had anything done to it, plan on it needing a bunch of work to get things back in shape.
If your looking at a 2-4yr old sled with 1500-2500 miles on it and its been ridden hard in the mountains and hasn't had anything done to it, plan on it needing a bunch of work to get things back in shape.
Don't think anyone could argue that Cat has had the most reliable motor since the M series started by far. Well any sane person
I had a 98 Powder Special, not so good, traded in on 06 M7 and after 11 years no repairs. No failures of anykind.
Yup the M7s are damn near bullet proof. I’ve got well over 5k. Kids sleds mostly though.
Gas n Oil and a change of gear oil once a year.
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Gas n Oil and a change of gear oil once a year.
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I'm at 6K with a bone stock 08 M8, and am planning to do the top end before next year. It is a difficult decision because it still runs well, and I have had zero issues with it. I just think it is cheap insurance as well.
Liberty 800 Golden Boy
Heck, I've got a '05 RMK 800 159" that's ticking up miles and still a friggin beast doing it. Of course, it's got allll the things done to it that needs to be to make the motor relatively worry free, haha. Anyway, I've got 36xx miles on this thing and not scared to rip solo into backwoods around where I live. This spring I plan on a top end, replacing old bushings, maybe some bearings, then clocking another 1500-2000 miles. I mean, if I haven't sold it I'll prolly buy a newer sled and keep Ole Shocker as a back up machine.
Heck, I've got a '05 RMK 800 159" that's ticking up miles and still a friggin beast doing it. Of course, it's got allll the things done to it that needs to be to make the motor relatively worry free, haha. Anyway, I've got 36xx miles on this thing and not scared to rip solo into backwoods around where I live. This spring I plan on a top end, replacing old bushings, maybe some bearings, then clocking another 1500-2000 miles. I mean, if I haven't sold it I'll prolly buy a newer sled and keep Ole Shocker as a back up machine.
I found that my 2013 summit was pretty reliable. Over 6000 mountain miles, heavy snow, over 40 deep days. Nothing needed except gas and oil.
One manufacturer in particular has been having engine issues for quite a few years now. They have been getting better but still require a LOT of maintenance.
YES, you should be concerned about buying a used sled. Snowmobiles ridden hard in the mountains really only last 3000 miles. Even the good brands are pretty worn by then. Trail ridden machines can double that but with very few exceptions, snowmobiles do not last "tens of thousands of miles" under any circumstances.
It is an expensive sport. Most guys that are really into the sport are buying a new one every year or two to stay current with the advances and to keep a reliable machine under them.
Starting out you need to do some research. On the cheap you can pick up an M series Cat talked about above and do pretty well. They are reliable, powerful decent handling machines and can be had for $3000.
After a season or two on that, you will know how much you want to keep invested in the sport.
If you want one of them hot rod 800 Polaris sleds, prepare to be very involved and consider buying a back up as well. Do NOT buy one without warranty coverage. Great sleds, owned several. Buy new, ride one year or 1000-1500 miles, sell, repeat.
Good Luck
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