How many miles is too many

[toddspolaris]

They are not sealed bearings but they do require the isoflex grease in them that does get washed out. skidoo doesn't spray these bearings with the fuel-oil mix. Just did an 07 skidoo 800 with 4400 miles on it. Tear it down and clean crank and get the isoflex grease and repack both pto and mag bearings.

 

[stevis]

I totally agree that some form of preventitive maintanence is a great idea.

But, most of the piston failures are from something other than a piston just plain wearing out.

If your problem is "burning down" new pistons will burn just the same and won't cure any of those problems.

I don't know if I have ever seen a piston wear out. Most of them fail because of bad gas, lean conditions or running something thru the motor. Again, new pistons won't fix that.

They do wear out. The sled that I talked about that burned down last year went down because one of the pins that keep the rings from spinning broke. When the ring spun and the ring gap hit the exhaust port it caught and ripped the piston apart. Had it got rebuilt with new pistons this would have not happened.

 

[neldogmxz]

Just ride it

Currently 12,500 miles on my 06' 600 HO SDI and still runnin' as strong as ever. Starts on 1st or 2nd pull. Always run premium gas and always run Doo full synthetic oil.

 

[tyeeman]

I've seen ring locating pins come loose a lot earlier than 7000 miles. My buddies 99 Polaris XC500 threw a rod for no reason at 2500 miles. Do a compression test, if those numbers are good then, more importantly have a shop do a leak down test, this is the real test that will tell you what condition your cylinders are in with out pulling anything apart. I would think a shop wouldn't charge you more than $20-$25 if that to do a leak down test, and they can do it right in/on your trailer. If that comes out good, ride it.

 

[indy_500]

due to the crap quality of todays fuel and high alcohol content is the reason you need to buy premium fuels, most places up north that sell premium , has no alcohol added to it, but the lower grades do. most sled manuals say if your buying fuel with alcohol in it, to buy a higher octane rated fuel.

exactly

 

[indy_500]

Hey Indy, help me to understand the crank seal replacement. Age and possible deterioration due to fuel/oil contact?
One other added suggestion would be to go through the carbs as long as the engine is out. Simple no cost insurance if done by the owner.

Yes, they are just rubber. Certain motors like cat's 550's and early 700's liked to eat thru them due to all the vibration.

 

[wishbone]

run it!!

I wouldn't call a ring pin failure a "burn down" , Good oil, clean carbs, proper off season storage, watch carb boots, and good preventive maintenance will allow most motors to run much longer. I have three poo's with over 12,000 on original engines w/o any internal work.

 

[polarisrider1]

I wouldn't call a ring pin failure a "burn down" , Good oil, clean carbs, proper off season storage, watch carb boots, and good preventive maintenance will allow most motors to run much longer. I have three poo's with over 12,000 on original engines w/o any internal work.

You mentioned the key things to longevity. Guys who leave their sleds out in the yard all summer un covered, in the rain and baking sun, cry the loudest when they have issues.

 

[Skylar]

7000 miles on my 07 600 RMK, not a drop of premium ran through it. Just good old 87 octane, and most of that had 10 percent ethanol in it. Oh yea, not a drop of that super pricey oil in it either.

 

[snow_monkey]

I have friends that have owned gas stations and they order their premium based on consumption. I do feel better getting premium in the metro area where more cars utilize the pumps. I would bet outside of snowmobile season a one pump station in the north country pumps very little premium and better your chances of getting bad gas. A local 1 pump in my area was traced just last winter servin up fresh h20 in their gas and people had pics to prove it.

 

[mjdeutsch]

thanks, sounds 50/50 on the advise but thats what I wanted was everyone's opinon. Futher details, alwasy trailer in an enclosed, fogged and stabile in the spring and dealer preseason service in the fall, sled is stored inside trailer inside barn in the off season, I still can't make up my mind, probably start with tests. It runs great now and I am afraid to mess with it.

 

[toddspolaris]

you have all summer. do it

 

[snowfish]

7000 miles on my 07 600 RMK, not a drop of premium ran through it. Just good old 87 octane, and most of that had 10 percent ethanol in it. Oh yea, not a drop of that super pricey oil in it either.

Here I thought that I was the only one who "trained" their sleds to run on regular gas. And oil that doesn't smell like strawberrys.

Almost 7000 miles on the ZRT600 now. However I did freshen it up(for peace of mind) since the coolant pump started to leak last season.

 

[booondocker]

Unless the owners manual says to use premium, or unless the station sells a bunch of it to tons of sledders....one could make a point that using premium is MORE destructive to your machine.

Being a all 4 stroke sledder, and reading this thread, sure seems like you 2 stroke folks go thru the mill to stick with those smokers.

I do think that based upon what I have gleaned over the years that the sled make and model is THE most important thing when it comes to how long these motors will hold up. A well designed motor should not be subject to second guessing on a long lake run, or being babied around...as frankly jumping on the throttle is supposed to be what they are made for, right?

I do think that almost all makers use that weak link system of having the PTO side of the drive left up to a lousy set up for lubricating this bearing that gets wet every time it goes out. A bath in oil like the other side would make them last indefinitely.

Not that 4 strokes don't have issues, but the life of the motor should realistically NOT be one of them. And if that is so....and you need to "freshen" up the motor at every 7,000 mile interval....even if you are like the old Harley guys who never left home without a tool box and parts....and the price to "freshen" is $300-500 hicup....seems that a good old 4 stroke that should go 40,000 miles will have a huge price advantage over the two smoker....

Okay...let's keep the stone throwing down to 2 inch sizes, and nothing over 5 ounces...I bruise easily anymore.

 

[toddspolaris]

but a 4 stroke just doesn't smell good to me

 

[snowfish]

seems that a good old 4 stroke that should go 40,000 miles will have a huge price advantage over the two smoker....

Maybe so, if you could take advantage of that kind of mileage expectancy. Realistically 1000 +/- miles per year is pretty good for most riders. Unless one has an income generating mechanism that allows them to be absent. Then more miles is possible.

In my case, for the six years that I've owned the sled, Including improvements, refreshing, general maintenance, gas, & oil the tab comes to about $5600.00. Seems pretty reasonable to me.

A four stroke would have costed more due to the higher initial investment. Sure you don't have to worry about the engine. But they still wear out drive shaft bearings, wheel bearings, clutches, hyfax, etc as a two stroke.

Don't get me wrong, when and if I'm able to put on 3-4000+ miles per year, it will possibly be a four stroke (maybe). Until then, my ZRT600 will provide plenty of smiles for the next 6-7 years if need be.

 

[polarisrider1]

Maybe so, if you could take advantage of that kind of mileage expectancy. Realistically 1000 +/- miles per year is pretty good for most riders. Unless one has an income generating mechanism that allows them to be absent. Then more miles is possible.

In my case, for the six years that I've owned the sled, Including improvements, refreshing, general maintenance, gas, & oil the tab comes to about $5600.00. Seems pretty reasonable to me.

A four stroke would have costed more due to the higher initial investment. Sure you don't have to worry about the engine. But they still wear out drive shaft bearings, wheel bearings, clutches, hyfax, etc as a two stroke.

Don't get me wrong, when and if I'm able to put on 3-4000+ miles per year, it will possibly be a four stroke (maybe). Until then, my ZRT600 will provide plenty of smiles for the next 6-7 years if need be.

It's a priority thing. work can wait, the snow will not. 1000 miles is a 4 day weekend for many trail riders.

 

[indy_500]

clutches

clutches last a lot longer on 4 strokes because the engine runs a lot more smoothly.