How many vipers with starters going bad?

[74Nitro]

At this point, I think what they are offering is a "good will" thing since the warranty ran out on my sled around December 2016. They could have easily just said "Sorry, nothing we can do".

Consider yourself extremely lucky and be grateful especially considering you knew about the updated flashes and didn't have them uploaded.

 

[twyztid]

If only the starter failed and locked up, would that be the reason the motor can't be turned backwards not even the slightest amount using the primary clutch? (Yes, I realize you aren't supposed to turn them backwards) I am thinking that if everything were free, if/when the motor were turned in reverse, it would lock up the on-way bearing just like the starter does when turning over in the forward direction. If the starter itself was locked up, it would not allow that reverse direction of the motor. Sound correct?

 

[twyztid]

Consider yourself extremely lucky and be grateful especially considering you knew about the updated flashes and didn't have them uploaded.

Yamaha told my dealer that if I had the 2016 update that was supposed to cure the kickback, they would not be covering anything. The only reason they are willing to cover parts is because I DIDN'T have that update. Lucky either way....

 

[twyztid]

Well, dropped off the sled to the dealer this morning. They just called me to tell me some information about what happened... but not enough info. I do not know if the starter is locked up or not but the idler gear has teeth missing (I do not know how many yet). They want to pull the motor to find the broke off teeth. I do not think I want them pulling the motor for that job since the labor will cost me upwards of $1000. Yamaha has agreed to pay for the parts but, at this point, it sounds like it may just be a starter, idler gear, and starter relay. Those only total up to around $325 my cost so most of the job would be out of my pocket, not covered by Yamaha. I have asked the service manager to check into other ways to find the teeth in the belly of the motor. I asked him about using an inspection camera and was told that they probably don't have one. WTF? This is a very large powersports dealer in Grand Rapids, MI. If the motor really DOES need to be pulled, I think I am better off cutting my losses, picking it up, and doing the work myself.

Pisses me off that the first failure that I had... at only 1219 miles... was a Yamaha part. I would have expected something supplied by AC to have failed first.

 

[cannondale27]

Well, dropped off the sled to the dealer this morning. They just called me to tell me some information about what happened... but not enough info. I do not know if the starter is locked up or not but the idler gear has teeth missing (I do not know how many yet). They want to pull the motor to find the broke off teeth. I do not think I want them pulling the motor for that job since the labor will cost me upwards of $1000. Yamaha has agreed to pay for the parts but, at this point, it sounds like it may just be a starter, idler gear, and starter relay. Those only total up to around $325 my cost so most of the job would be out of my pocket, not covered by Yamaha. I have asked the service manager to check into other ways to find the teeth in the belly of the motor. I asked him about using an inspection camera and was told that they probably don't have one. WTF? This is a very large powersports dealer in Grand Rapids, MI. If the motor really DOES need to be pulled, I think I am better off cutting my losses, picking it up, and doing the work myself.

Pisses me off that the first failure that I had... at only 1219 miles... was a Yamaha part. I would have expected something supplied by AC to have failed first.

It was AC ecu and programming that caused the kickback. Dropping pan and total inspection is the RIGHT way to fix this. I could not trust anything less. This is why the flash updates are needed even if they suck.

 

[twyztid]

It was AC ecu and programming that caused the kickback. Dropping pan and total inspection is the RIGHT way to fix this. I could not trust anything less. This is why the flash updates are needed even if they suck.

I agree but I don't know if I am willing to pay the dealer the $1000+ to do it. I may choose to just do it myself.

 

[cannondale27]

I agree but I don't know if I am willing to pay the dealer the $1000+ to do it. I may choose to just do it myself.

And we are here to help if you do. Perhaps your dealer will still honor the parts part of warranty if you just explain it like you did. Anyone can understand $.

 

[twyztid]

I may try calling Yamaha Customer Care as well since the dealer has verified that it was a Yamaha-related item that failed and see what they have to say. Doesn't really matter whether the cause was the flash, a bad starter, or improper heat treating of the idler gear making the teeth brittle enough to snap off. Those are all Yamaha parts.

 

[TPAY243]

I'm not so sure it's the parts that are the problem but more so the problem Artic Cat is having with the ecu tune. It sounds like the ZR 8000 are having ecu issues also. You would certainly think that after 6 years they would get it but I guess not. Anyways Yamaha should and I think they will stand behind it.They know it's a problem and I think the right dealer should get it covered under warranty for you.

 

[74Nitro]

There is nothing wrong with the parts. They are not designed to handle a kick-back scenario. Today I am changing the one-way bearing in a high mile, beat up 06 Nytro. The idler gear and starter teeth look like new still.

 

[cannondale27]

I may try calling Yamaha Customer Care as well since the dealer has verified that it was a Yamaha-related item that failed and see what they have to say. Doesn't really matter whether the cause was the flash, a bad starter, or improper heat treating of the idler gear making the teeth brittle enough to snap off. Those are all Yamaha parts.

I think that would be a mistake since Yamaha will want the engine pan removed and inspection of bearings and Oil pumps. Justifiably so. Your only hope to save $ is to convince the dealer to get the parts and allow you to install them. Maybe in slow time he would allow you to do it there under supervision. The goal is to save the labor $.

 

[jrusher]

So my starter just piled up on my 15 viper when getting it out of my trailer at home . 1900 km boosted from day one . It kicked back on me few times over the years didn’t do anything about it . Never heard from my dealer about a flash or update until researching now . Anyways pulled starter out it’s damaged along with idler gear, stator and flywheel. Found some metal at bottom of mag cover . Will have to drop oil pan next and inspect pump etc. Hopefully can do it with engine in place ? .Does anyone’s know if parts are still covered by Yamaha even if my warranty is long gone ? I will call my dealer tomorrow and see

 

[74Nitro]

So my starter just piled up on my 15 viper when getting it out of my trailer at home . 1900 km boosted from day one . It kicked back on me few times over the years didn’t do anything about it . Never heard from my dealer about a flash or update until researching now . Anyways pulled starter out it’s damaged along with idler gear, stator and flywheel. Found some metal at bottom of mag cover . Will have to drop oil pan next and inspect pump etc. Hopefully can do it with engine in place ? .Does anyone’s know if parts are still covered by Yamaha even if my warranty is long gone ? I will call my dealer tomorrow and see

There is ZERO chance anything will be covered by warranty.
Having said that, the starter problem was a huge fail on Yamahas part that was very poorly handled, but that horse has beaten here numerous times so I digress.

 

[jrusher]

There is ZERO chance anything will be covered by warranty.
Having said that, the starter problem was a huge fail on Yamahas part that was very poorly handled, but that horse has beaten here numerous times so I digress.

Ya that’s what I figured . I didn’t know this was a huge issue until doing some reading last night . I had 8000 trouble free km on my boosted nytro and this thing piles up at 1900 km what a joke . I found a complete nytro engine for cheap if Yamaha doesn’t step up . Engine has bad rings I’ll just take parts I need off it . I just talked to a buddy who works at my local Yammi dealer he said he’s changed out a ton of these but doesn’t know if I would be covered for warranty . He said there is a map update as well

 

[cannondale27]

There is ZERO chance anything will be covered by warranty.
Having said that, the starter problem was a huge fail on Yamahas part that was very poorly handled, but that horse has beaten here numerous times so I digress.

Maybe in Canada but its up to dealer to get it done here. I would think if you find a dealer to go to bat for you. It would be covered or at least helped $ wise.