Engine issue - Vmax 600 SX

3LakesVMAX

New member
My 97 Vmax 600 SX has an issue.

Had it out for the 1st time two weeks ago, and broke the re-coil... Unbolted it and had it fixed (bent spring, and wrong rope size. Previous owner used the wrong size)

Bolted the re-coil back on, and got her running. Took her on the lake for some laps, ran nice (75 - 85 MPH, with no issues)(except for the shocks that were going to get replaced).. Turned back in towards our cabin, to wait for my bro, and buddies to get on their sleds. While waiting, my sled idled down and died. Could not restart. Thought it was a fuel issue.

Trailed the sled to the shop. Mechanic (real nice guy, btw; sounds very knowledgeable) called me back w/in an hour, and said its the recoil side piston, bad compressive. Should run great once it's fixed.

Talked to him again, and he said, well, it could be a bad cylinder, and or the crank bearing, bc it looks like something pushed the piston out. He said it could also be a fluke (something in the air-box that sucked through), but would need to get to the bottom side of the motor, to truly diagnosis the problem.

He called me back, and said the cylinders were both in good shape, so that's not the issue. but wanted my permission to dig deeper (for the amount of $ it is to rent, I said please dig deeper). He's not back in the shop until tomorrow; should know more by then.

Anyone have any ideas, concrete evidence of what the problem is? I bought this sled not too long ago, because I am just starting out, and couldn't drop 5K +. Hoping I can dump $300 - $400 to have her running great for the end of this season and possibly next, until I upgrade.

I don't get how she ran fan, and suddenly idled down and died. No smell, no noise, no nothing. Didn't sound like it was running bad either.

Any help would be appreciated. Hoping to snow gods bless me with good news tomorrow, when I talk to the mechanic again. Thanks!
 

hednup2

Member
Get prepared to open the wallet maybe you should have dumped the 5 G's in first place, **** you might have to anyway. Sorry to hear about your badluck, welcome to snowmobiling.
 

3LakesVMAX

New member
Any thought on what the real problem might be?

I'm $hit of luck, if it's the worse scenario; will have to part the sled out, if that's the case
 

3LakesVMAX

New member
A shop off 45 in Three Lakes. Real nice guys. Any thoughts? I really like the sled, and hope to get it fixed for a reasonible price. Thanks for any advice you can give.
 

vmax1994

New member
Is that all the sled would do (75-85mph)? I have a 98 600SX and it can still hit 100mph on the speedo with nearly 8000 miles. These sleds notoriously needs there carbs cleaned out regularly...at least mine did. How is the compression on each cylinder? Do you have spark? I guess I don't understand why the mechanic thinks its the lower end.
 

3LakesVMAX

New member
Had it up to 99 and 100 before it quit. Not too sure about the compression. Left side was over 130 I think, but the right side was dramatically less. Spark was there, too. Ran great. Mech said he thought it could be the crank, but couldn't be 100% until he opened it up. Cylinders are fine. One piston is shot. They're good @ the shop. We bring lots to them and they're always reasonible. Toughts?
 
Could be several reasons why it went down...be patient I am sure he will get right on it if he has a respectible business. And he is right...if the carbs don't look bad he will need to openn up the engine to diagnos.
 

3LakesVMAX

New member
Thanks. He's good; and real nice/respectable. Will find out tomorrow. Hoping to get it fixed, and be back on the trails in time for the poker run on 19-20th of Feb.
 

3LakesVMAX

New member
Good news! Top end only! Should be good to go by next week, in time for the Poker Run in Feb.

Thanks again for everyone's input.
 

dab102999

New member
I would run a tank of pre-mix thru it and watch your oil consumption...Make sure that oil pump isn't sheared...mag side is a little harder to take a piston out unless it is runnin lean...
 

bartski

New member
check

Make sure he checks the idle air screws and springs they are known to loosen and fall out they are located on the bottom of the carbs right in front of the bowl. This happend to my sx 600.
Bartski
 
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