mjkaliszak
New member
2003 F7 yes a hot sled, right up there with the 07 800 XRS and the 08 POO 600IQ racer. I don't know how I missed the 03 F7 in my stable.
09 800 blew
- Thread starter ttgac
- Start date
punchtech2
New member
Bulletproof
The reason I switched to a Yamaha 4-stroke was engine reliability, then after researching for a few years I decided to pick up a Polaris 500 xc with the "bulletproof" liberty
motor for my wife . Everything I read said indestructable, bought it from original owner, mint condition,
well maintained, and first ride 70 miles in, crank bearing pto side melts and takes out
the "bulletproof" motor. Unfortunately, snowmobiles are high maintenance toys, all brands,
all models!
The reason I switched to a Yamaha 4-stroke was engine reliability, then after researching for a few years I decided to pick up a Polaris 500 xc with the "bulletproof" liberty
motor for my wife . Everything I read said indestructable, bought it from original owner, mint condition,
well maintained, and first ride 70 miles in, crank bearing pto side melts and takes out
the "bulletproof" motor. Unfortunately, snowmobiles are high maintenance toys, all brands,
all models!
skiroule
Well-known member
OK, maybe "indestructible" was a bit of an exaggeration, but I think the concern is what seems to be a trend towards less reliability and durability.
I will say this, I'm amazed at my brother's experience with Polaris. He has put on over 50,000 combined miles on his last five Polaris sleds (2 Fujis and 3 Libertys) and he has had one engine failure (the 700 Liberty in his 99 RMK). I didn't put up that kind of mileage but from 1998 through 2005 I owned 5 Polaris sleds with Liberty engines and I never touched an engine on any of them.
Maybe this kind of performance is really still the norm rather than the exception with the late model machines but there just seems to be a higher frequency of problems.
I will say this, I'm amazed at my brother's experience with Polaris. He has put on over 50,000 combined miles on his last five Polaris sleds (2 Fujis and 3 Libertys) and he has had one engine failure (the 700 Liberty in his 99 RMK). I didn't put up that kind of mileage but from 1998 through 2005 I owned 5 Polaris sleds with Liberty engines and I never touched an engine on any of them.
Maybe this kind of performance is really still the norm rather than the exception with the late model machines but there just seems to be a higher frequency of problems.
mr_fusion_ho
New member
I have a 2007 Dragon 700 with 3800 miles and also a 2009 Dragon 800 with 3500 miles. Both of them have been trouble free and had all the updates. I do ride them hard and the MPG is not the greatest. The 800 isn't as fast as I would like it to be and when they are cold pulling the rope to start them feels like I am pulling over a frieght train, but other than those items I have no complaints. When the dealer did the update to the 800 at 1200 miles there was no wear in the engine. Now maybe the reason I am not having trouble is I am on the throttle a lot and do not hold it in the midrange for a long period of time. My favorite thing about these sleds is thier ability to float in the off trail compaired to any other 121" track sled I rode.
polarisrider1
New member
Very well put. The carbed liberty motors are also a very good motor. the 700 and 800's liked the gas.
etecs are burning up???
Point me to the evidence, please. I keep thinking that's my next motor and now this!! I would buy Polaris if the engines would be more reliable and the technology were at the e-tec level. Maybe it's time to retire from sledding. My Polaris 4 stroke 500 ATV couldn't pass the EPA crap the way it seems to inefficiently burn fuel. We need more regulations to make our lives better........
Point me to the evidence, please. I keep thinking that's my next motor and now this!! I would buy Polaris if the engines would be more reliable and the technology were at the e-tec level. Maybe it's time to retire from sledding. My Polaris 4 stroke 500 ATV couldn't pass the EPA crap the way it seems to inefficiently burn fuel. We need more regulations to make our lives better........
Look in this topic for the blown 600 etec. Etec and Polaris engines are blowing up. It's fairly obvious it's the EPA regs. you cannot run a lean/clean motor without sacrificing longevity. You burn less oil. You lubricate less. Parts wear out. Cat isn't having issues b/c they are not meeting or even close to the EPA regs. It's not a coincidence. Per my mechanics- anyone with a newer motor (poo or doo) should be mixing oil with their fuel. Your machine will probably last a few years without issue. But anything past 5K is a crap shoot. Unless you're taking extra precautions. At least that's what I've been told. And when these machines are now in the 10K range- and 1K to fix a major motor issue- I'll be listening to the mechanics and adding oil from here on out. It may smoke a little more, but I'm ok with that.
You're right, you shouldn't have to add oil with every fill up. But I"m not going to take my chances. I want to keep my 9K snowmobile for more than 3 yrs. I can't afford to buy a new one every three years/4K miles to avoid the inevitable. So I'll do it for preventative maintenance. As I said- good mechanic friend has been supplementing his retirement income by fixing blown up snowmobiles all winter long. Not old sleds that finally melted. All newer sleds- mostly doos & polaris. They are just so lean, that they aren't lasting. An engine needs lubrication. When you lean it out to burn cleaner, you are sacrificing that lubrication. They will last for a few years- but not much more. As of now, this is the only sensible thing I've heard to try and prolong your engine. So I'm going with it.
skeeter2010
Member
Can't you just have the dealer adjust the oil pump???
indy_500
Well-known member
oil pump is electronic and too confusing for Indy's mind. On the e-tec that is.
snow_monkey
New member
There are alot more e-techs out there than you think. If you spend any time on doo talk you will find a ton of owners closing in on the 8,000 mile mark and have never looked back. Be smart, new technology is just that new technology. If you want to have the latest and greatest you need to take chances or limit them by purchasing an extended warranty. While everyone debates reliability there are many of us just riding. The brp display at the snow show was elbow to elbow that's pretty good if they are losing engines left and right and people are gobbling them up? You bet when If I buy a new four stroke I will still get the extended warranty.