CHAIN CASE SIGHT GLASS

[apexhank]

I have a 19 SIDEWINDER LTX DX approximately 800 miles. Out for a ride in Canada on Monday and was returning to hotel , when chain started jumping when trying to accelerate. After dropping off at dealer in Canada, he found that the sight glass in bottom of chain case cover fell out. Destroying chain, sprocket, bearing and chain case cover. Around 1200 Canadian to fix. Warranty is covered in USA, NOT in Canada. Have to get reimbursed by my US dealer. Excellent dealer in Canada, taking excellent care of me. Gregoire Sports in Joliette. He says this is third one he has seen with this problem. I don’t know how you could prevent this problem yourself .

Hank

 

[number1kyster]

That is unfortunate. I will be checking mine on my new 2018 every time I stop.

I might pick up a 3/4" boat plug to carry in case it falls out.

 

[eightpilot]

This has been a Cat problem since 2012.... Why can they not address this? Jesus

 

[hibshman25]

I have some ideas. Also hoping to incorporate a fill plug into the design....you know those simple little caps you unscrew when you want to add oil.

 

[actionjack]

It’s crazy that this continues to happen. There should be a bulletin for Every dealer set up to include making sure the sight glass in correctly. Are these things easily broken by your boot? I might JB Weld some plexiglass there. I’m gonna cut a piece to carry with me.

 

[BlueByYou2000]

It’s crazy that this continues to happen. There should be a bulletin for Every dealer set up to include making sure the sight glass in correctly. Are these things easily broken by your boot? I might JB Weld some plexiglass there. I’m gonna cut a piece to carry with me.

Or maybe run a small bead of JB weld to the outside circumference

 

[cobrajet ltx dx]

I have a 19 SIDEWINDER LTX DX approximately 800 miles. Out for a ride in Canada on Monday and was returning to hotel , when chain started jumping when trying to accelerate. After dropping off at dealer in Canada, he found that the sight glass in bottom of chain case cover fell out. Destroying chain, sprocket, bearing and chain case cover. Around 1200 Canadian to fix. Warranty is covered in USA, NOT in Canada. Have to get reimbursed by my US dealer. Excellent dealer in Canada, taking excellent care of me. Gregoire Sports in Joliette. He says this is third one he has seen with this problem. I don’t know how you could prevent this problem yourself .

Hank

Hey Hank, make sure the Canadian dealer boxes up all parts and sends it to your dealer in the states.
Took me almost 3 months for Yamaha to reimburse my out of pocket expenses when I had a break down myself in Canada.
They wanted the failed parts even though I had all paper work, pictures ect.
Just a FYI!!

 

[ROCKERDAN]

It seems to happen or not. I believe if its gonna happen, it does in season 1. There must be some inconsistent Rubber,Glass sizes/fitment happening. My dealer has seen them and looked closely, and concluded some just don't fit as well as others. When mine was apart this fall after season 1 with no issues, I had a close look at it, tried to push it loose, but no way was that moving.

Problem is, when it happens the case goes south very fast. Once oil is out,it only takes a few miles running at speed for all hell to break loose.

While I love the ability to quickly look and see my level through the glass, I would at this point just rather see a normal plug or dipstick ect ect, that is full proof. Certain things Cat had tried to add to this chassis have made things worse, not better....why not just move on and admit it was bad idea.

If Travis could address these items, like sight glass, drive axle bearing, oil tank seep, I believe this sled could easily be ULTRA reliable for a ton of miles, since cat/yam dont seem to care, we need to do this ourselves.

Dan

 

[XP123]

These Cats need constant attention. It's like you have to spend a half hour every day going over a checklist before heading out on the trails. The really frustrating part is most of these issues could have been avoided by just using technology of the past. Remember the old chain cases with the built in dipstick? How great were those? They were,the same cases with the bottom drain plug.

Another horrible design is the oil tank and chain case sharing the same cover. I talked to a couple Cat guys who told me how the bearing in their chain case failed and took out the oil tank that resulted in the engine blowing. I really wish Yamaha would buy out Cat and fix all their dumb ideas.

 

[snowbeast]

I don't really think Yamaha gives a hoot. The sight glass is a problem,even if it don't fall out,its really hard to see what level it has in it. When we did my chaincase this fall,i bought the size Yamaha sold,and it was only a tad over 8 oz,s and after adding it,we could still hardly see it thru the glass,as it just did not seem to be enough,but they stated that was what was recommended,so we let it go. The glass falling out seems like it does it more with very cold temps,plus what Dan said,in first year.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

I don't really think Yamaha gives a hoot. The sight glass is a problem,even if it don't fall out,its really hard to see what level it has in it. When we did my chaincase this fall,i bought the size Yamaha sold,and it was only a tad over 8 oz,s and after adding it,we could still hardly see it thru the glass,as it just did not seem to be enough,but they stated that was what was recommended,so we let it go. The glass falling out seems like it does it more with very cold temps,plus what Dan said,in first year.

See Pete...if you had looked at build thread, takes 2 seconds to see the amt needed is 12oz.

My glass is great for seeing the level instantly, and my eyes aint what they used to be..haha

Dan

 

[NYTurbo]

I fill to top of sight glass and even a bit extra and never had any issues , when I change gear ratios my upper gear is always well coated . My dealer told me to fill this high and it seems to help.

 

[Yamajon1]

X2

 

[yamamarc]

Is the sight glass falling out on it's own or is there to much pressure(not enough vent) in the chain case?
Or plugged vent line?

 

[Hammer70]

Is the sight glass falling out on it's own or is there to much pressure(not enough vent) in the chain case?
Or plugged vent line?

I’m thinking it’s a loose fit because it’s pressed in and sealed from inside. possibly boot hitting snow ice kicking against it. Just a suggestion I inspected mine when apart and pushed on it it’s sold. So it’s a guessing game from here.

Pan