'18 SW chaincase issue

[scooterwj]

Bought a new 18 Sidewinder XTX 137 a few weeks ago and just got to ride it for the first time last week. Put just over 500 miles on it.... Coming out of a corner on a trail accelerated and felt/heard a clunk. Thought I might have hit something with the ski. Then, did it again.... Thought it might be a chunk missing from the belt but the belt was fine. Then saw oil dripping under the chaincase. All the oil was gone. Not sure what happened yet as I dropped it off at the dealer to fix. Anyone else had this happen? The sight glass was still there. The chain tension bolt/locknut was still in place.
Otherwise, very impressed with the sled... Came from an 06' Apex RTX. Of course, I hate the ski's on the SW. Power is nice, suspension is a big improvement from what I was used to, Love the 1.75" 137 track. I Liked the smoothness of the Apex motor better but still very happy with the SW engine.
Thanks for any input!

 

[scooterwj]

Anyone?

 

[bobmnh]

Has the dealer looked at it yet?

 

[stohlem]

I'm happy to hear that you like your SW, except for this issue. It's sometimes difficult to assume what happened inside the chaincase. What's good is it's at the dealer being looked at,so please give us an update as soon as you find out the problem. Gives me something to check over the summer.lol

 

[scooterwj]

Will do... I haven't heard any update yet but will post back once I do

 

[waldo1]

i had the 2 little chain adjustment roller bolts come out - the chain roller bounced around in the case an ruined everything - those 2 little screws should be spot welded - non removable - junk cat case !! 2nd time.... but i love this thing and will be new and improved soon... as soon as all the BO parts come in.... more cat #*$&@... just in time inventory storage - everything we need is back ordered... sad. havent been able to ride in march since my last cat -- in 07. but i had a spare apex then.... guess i need another spare.

 

[krm]

Sounds like the sight glass fell out .

 

[34pontiac]

Sounds like the sight glass fell out .

" The sight glass was still there. The chain tension bolt/locknut was still inplace. "

 

[Scott Stedronsky]

I purchased a 2018 winder xtx. I blew the silicone oil gasket before 1000 miles. The dealer is saying to fill the oil to the midway point on the clear tube showing oil level instead of at the top. They also told me it would be a good idea before starting it up to remove the hose before the rollover valve and make sure it is not iced up. Really? I have ridden nothing but Yamaha's since I was 10. This is disappointing after dropping $14k.

 

[Big_Phil]

i had the 2 little chain adjustment roller bolts come out - the chain roller bounced around in the case an ruined everything - those 2 little screws should be spot welded - non removable - junk cat case !! 2nd time.... but i love this thing and will be new and improved soon... as soon as all the BO parts come in.... more cat #*$&@... just in time inventory storage - everything we need is back ordered... sad. havent been able to ride in march since my last cat -- in 07. but i had a spare apex then.... guess i need another spare.

These sleds are fairly heavy with lots of power, they will stretch the chain. You need to check it every 600 miles or so and tighten it up. If the locknut on the adjuster is tight, it won’t loosen up, no need to spot weld anything. Unfortunately it’s a bit of a pain in the #*$&@ to check the chain tensioner with the stock muffler, but it is what it is.

 

[waldo1]

These sleds are fairly heavy with lots of power, they will stretch the chain. You need to check it every 600 miles or so and tighten it up. If the locknut on the adjuster is tight, it won’t loosen up, no need to spot weld anything. Unfortunately it’s a bit of a pain in the #*$&@ to check the chain tensioner with the stock muffler, but it is what it is.

really - u have to adjust it??? yaaa - did that - been doing that for 30 years - wasnt that - again - the bolts that hold the rolling roller that roll with the chain as u roll down the trail,, came out,,, in the case - unthreaded,,, - causing issue - read and comprehend before u make acquisitions ---

 

[waldo1]

I purchased a 2018 winder xtx. I blew the silicone oil gasket before 1000 miles. The dealer is saying to fill the oil to the midway point on the clear tube showing oil level instead of at the top. They also told me it would be a good idea before starting it up to remove the hose before the rollover valve and make sure it is not iced up. Really? I have ridden nothing but Yamaha's since I was 10. This is disappointing after dropping $14k.

its just a defective part or roll over valve, has been improved and changed - your dealer should order the new updated designed part and simply remove old one and install new part. takes 2 minutes.. this negative thing would only occur if u left your machine out overnight and didnt thaw it out in a garage - valve would freeze in the closed or sealed position and then when u rode - it makes some pressure in oil pan and gasket between oil and case, would leak a tiny little bit, no big deal, but the correct part wasnt available for a wile before February or so... now it is...

 

[waldo1]

Will do... I haven't heard any update yet but will post back once I do

actually - my site glass was knocked out from the roller bouncing around in there - -- did u loosen the adjustment locknut and check if u could turn it in alot --- what happened with mine is one bolt falls out - roller bends backward, chain becomes very loose and jumps under load,, u can drive it home that way slowly but if the other roller bolt comes out - its now a ball bouncing around in there and noises and leakage occur right away... huge design flaw - spot welding screws in if its not fixed and or changed from yamaha. and buying a spare case and guts for next year - its really gona be an issue next year when u all get some miles on - and all parts are on back order for 7 weeks ---

 

[Scott Stedronsky]

its just a defective part or roll over valve, has been improved and changed - your dealer should order the new updated designed part and simply remove old one and install new part. takes 2 minutes.. this negative thing would only occur if u left your machine out overnight and didnt thaw it out in a garage - valve would freeze in the closed or sealed position and then when u rode - it makes some pressure in oil pan and gasket between oil and case, would leak a tiny little bit, no big deal, but the correct part wasnt available for a wile before February or so... now it is...

Thanks for the updated part info. One would wonder why Yamaha would not make that known to people who have had the issue.
As far as keeping your machine outside I am not sure how to avoid this when on a trip away from home. Everyday we start out with temps of -20f or below. We warm up our machines to the point they shut themselves off. The day a snowmobile cannot run after spending the night outside is the day I switch brands.

 

[Scott Stedronsky]

Thanks for the updated part info. One would wonder why Yamaha would not make that known to people who have had the issue.
As far as keeping your machine outside I am not sure how to avoid this when on a trip away from home. Everyday we start out with temps of -20f or below. We warm up our machines to the point they shut themselves off. The day a snowmobile cannot run after spending the night outside is the day I switch brands.

Just contacted dealer and they have nothing from Yamaha mentioning a replacement part. Unfortunately it doesn't surprise me, with exception of these great forums, getting real intel on this has been like pulling teeth