Poll:Yearly Maintenance What do you look for?

[cannondale27]

I agree its a great topic. I will be putting away my 4 stroke for the first time so I was curious as to what to do as well when it comes to storage. But the title says MANDATORY yearly checks. Then the comments underneath were to do EVERYTHING on the list, and then some. I get it, if you can build a sled yourself, then by all means take it apart, check it over. But the impression is that you HAVE to do all this stuff. Which some of it is pretty involved, whether your a mechanic or not. So is the advice from this forum that if you can't remove your driveshaft, take the skid out, clutch off, etc, then I should take it to the dealer and spend $1000 in labour so I can ride next year? If that's MANDATORY then we are all dumb for buying a Yamaha.

I would say if you vote for any one of those it is mandatory. If not don’t vote for it.

 

[FrozenTows4]

Easy now. This is all snowmobile stuff. Not just Yamaha.
Mandatory is great attention getter. I like it. Makes me look closer to see what others have learned.
In reality, none is mandatory. But very recommended. We're too term sensitive.
Pick your maintenance battles. Let dealer take care of the ones you do not want to fight. Or roll the dice.
In the end, we're all dumb for buying snowmobiles period. Not a good investment.
I will never learn. Just keep riding, wrenching, and laying down the Benjamin's.

 

[Wannaviper]

I think that there are at least two types of riders on this board. The first type not only loves to ride, but enjoys taking their sleds apart and making sure that everything is functioning at its best. The other type of rider is me. As much as I wish I had the knowledge and the aptitude to perform what seem like routine mechanical work to others, I don't. If you told me to take out the "top gear bushing", I wouldn't even know where to look for it. I am just the rider with a family who loves to ride too, but has to shell out some serious money every year to have my dealer take care of all the family sleds.

This poll seems to be aimed at the mechanical guys who have the time and the ability to do what really needs to be done to keep their sleds in top shape. I really and truly envy you guys! If I thought I had the knack for it, I would gladly pay someone to give me lessons.

Until someone opens a snowmobile mechanics' school for the mechanically challenged, how about a second poll, to help out the rest of us? "What are the minimums I need to ask my dealer to do when I take my sled in for its yearly maintenance?" Are there items, like an oil change, that should be done every year, regardless of mileage, or is it every "X" miles? Does the chain case need to be done every year, or can it be every other year, or is it totally dependent upon how many miles I put on? A list of Yamacat potential trouble spots, and how often they should be checked would be a great help to a lot of people.

 

[SqueezeER]

I think that there are at least two types of riders on this board. The first type not only loves to ride, but enjoys taking their sleds apart and making sure that everything is functioning at its best. The other type of rider is me. As much as I wish I had the knowledge and the aptitude to perform what seem like routine mechanical work to others, I don't. If you told me to take out the "top gear bushing", I wouldn't even know where to look for it. I am just the rider with a family who loves to ride too, but has to shell out some serious money every year to have my dealer take care of all the family sleds.

This poll seems to be aimed at the mechanical guys who have the time and the ability to do what really needs to be done to keep their sleds in top shape. I really and truly envy you guys! If I thought I had the knack for it, I would gladly pay someone to give me lessons.

Until someone opens a snowmobile mechanics' school for the mechanically challenged, how about a second poll, to help out the rest of us? "What are the minimums I need to ask my dealer to do when I take my sled in for its yearly maintenance?" Are there items, like an oil change, that should be done every year, regardless of mileage, or is it every "X" miles? Does the chain case need to be done every year, or can it be every other year, or is it totally dependent upon how many miles I put on? A list of Yamacat potential trouble spots, and how often they should be checked would be a great help to a lot of people.

I'm with you man. No wrenching for this guy. If I could maybe I would if I had the time. It makes me nervous when I read this site sometimes as it makes me feel like "geez what did I get myself into". Reality is for me, I'm gonna do what I can, I just ride the piss out of it. I try to pick up what I can from this site. It can be helpful, but sometimes intimidating.

 

[cannondale27]

I think that there are at least two types of riders on this board. The first type not only loves to ride, but enjoys taking their sleds apart and making sure that everything is functioning at its best. The other type of rider is me. As much as I wish I had the knowledge and the aptitude to perform what seem like routine mechanical work to others, I don't. If you told me to take out the "top gear bushing", I wouldn't even know where to look for it. I am just the rider with a family who loves to ride too, but has to shell out some serious money every year to have my dealer take care of all the family sleds.

This poll seems to be aimed at the mechanical guys who have the time and the ability to do what really needs to be done to keep their sleds in top shape. I really and truly envy you guys! If I thought I had the knack for it, I would gladly pay someone to give me lessons.

Until someone opens a snowmobile mechanics' school for the mechanically challenged, how about a second poll, to help out the rest of us? "What are the minimums I need to ask my dealer to do when I take my sled in for its yearly maintenance?" Are there items, like an oil change, that should be done every year, regardless of mileage, or is it every "X" miles? Does the chain case need to be done every year, or can it be every other year, or is it totally dependent upon how many miles I put on? A list of Yamacat potential trouble spots, and how often they should be checked would be a great help to a lot of people.

For me if I didn't do all of those things on list I would have trouble. But I put a average of 3000mi on a year. That list is of potential trouble spots and every year is a good timeframe. Like I have said I know people with 07 Phazers that were never touched to this day but I broke mine every weekend first year. The failures and wear I see on my Viper I see the same things happen to the guys I ride with at about same mileage. So if only 1500mi on in year you might get 2 years before finding something or if you ride harder than me maybe less. Take it easy everywhere and might go longer. But unless you look you will not know.

 

[Allan]

I do all of it and more because I can do myself . I do a lot of riding 8000km this year, So I try to prevent any break downs and loose any riding time waiting for parts. I also enjoy working on my sled but do not enjoy being broke down lol

 

[Mike P]

I think that there are at least two types of riders on this board. The first type not only loves to ride, but enjoys taking their sleds apart and making sure that everything is functioning at its best. The other type of rider is me. As much as I wish I had the knowledge and the aptitude to perform what seem like routine mechanical work to others, I don't. If you told me to take out the "top gear bushing", I wouldn't even know where to look for it. I am just the rider with a family who loves to ride too, but has to shell out some serious money every year to have my dealer take care of all the family sleds.

This poll seems to be aimed at the mechanical guys who have the time and the ability to do what really needs to be done to keep their sleds in top shape. I really and truly envy you guys! If I thought I had the knack for it, I would gladly pay someone to give me lessons.

Until someone opens a snowmobile mechanics' school for the mechanically challenged, how about a second poll, to help out the rest of us? "What are the minimums I need to ask my dealer to do when I take my sled in for its yearly maintenance?" Are there items, like an oil change, that should be done every year, regardless of mileage, or is it every "X" miles? Does the chain case need to be done every year, or can it be every other year, or is it totally dependent upon how many miles I put on? A list of Yamacat potential trouble spots, and how often they should be checked would be a great help to a lot of people.

A good dealer/mechanic should be able to guide you in the right direction. If your only concerned with "trouble spots" it shouldn't take long to determine what needs to be done and what does not.

 

[GR8BBQ]

As far as yearly oil / chain case change goes, I have a question. This year was my first season with a new 2017 XTX. As recommended, I had the first service done at about 600 miles, and now I end the season with about 1000 miles. Do I change the fluids again even though it was just done 2 months / 400 miles ago?

 

[SqueezeER]

Great Question. I was going to ask the same thing. I'm at close to 3000kms now. Obviously it wouldn't hurt to do it. I think I will just because if I put more kms on next year, it won't have 1 season plus, of used oil in it. Might as well keep it fresh!

 

[maim]

well on my nos 2016 apex xtx, i put 2000 km on it since the 1st service in jan, so i will be chaging the oils in it before next season when i go through it in the off season.

 

[snowhite]

Well just my 2 cents! Okay my first new sled in 31 years. I bought my ‘15 viper because I own 2 older Yamaha’s. Well it all started the first winter when the chain case went dry, was down for over a month in prime riding. Got it repaired (warranty), other issues also! This winter never rode it because of the top chain case bearing completely destroyed itself! Down till just the other day! The process to repair this sled is unreal, waiting for parts,putting it all together and still loosing out on riding even though it was the coldest winter in 10 years! Would I buy another? Not a chance! I guess I forgot the point here, if I have to always drain the chain case oil every year and inspect a bearing that I cannot even see, and service other bearings that are so cheap that they don’t have grease in them what are we getting for our money here? I always service my machines because I don’t want to walk, but maybe new was my mistake! Just my 2 cents.

 

[Wannaviper]

Well just my 2 cents! Okay my first new sled in 31 years. I bought my ‘15 viper because I own 2 older Yamaha’s. Well it all started the first winter when the chain case went dry, was down for over a month in prime riding. Got it repaired (warranty), other issues also! This winter never rode it because of the top chain case bearing completely destroyed itself! Down till just the other day! The process to repair this sled is unreal, waiting for parts,putting it all together and still loosing out on riding even though it was the coldest winter in 10 years! Would I buy another? Not a chance! I guess I forgot the point here, if I have to always drain the chain case oil every year and inspect a bearing that I cannot even see, and service other bearings that are so cheap that they don’t have grease in them what are we getting for our money here? I always service my machines because I don’t want to walk, but maybe new was my mistake! Just my 2 cents.

I am sorry to hear about your experience with your Viper; it is very frustrating to buy something brand new that doesn't work. There is the old saw about never buy anything built on a Monday when the assembly line workers are all hung over from the weekend. Maybe AC's quality control is just bad because it really seems like there are too many "lemons" coming off the line. It isn't just one thing, it seems like there will be multiple issues with the sled. My friend had a 2016 LTX LE that was a disaster. I towed him home at least once every season for three years, each time for a different major mechanical malfunction, and it was always in the shop with something wrong.

On the other hand, I have had two new Vipers, a 2015 LTX and a 2016 XTX, both of which have gone 4,500+ trouble free miles with just routine yearly maintenance at the dealer; oil change; maybe inspect the chain case; slides and fuel additive. I bought a used 2014 XTX for my grandson with 6,000 miles on it, and it is now almost 10,000 miles with the same yearly maintenance and no issues.

 

[snowhite]

So true I believe in that clause but it seems to be showing it’s ugly head around a lot more in everything we buy today! I have been lucky through the years with my equipment and understand mechanical issues can show up BUT it’s the shits when a guy is always repairing or replacing broken parts that aren’t old by my standards! Oh well I got her fixed and can only wait now for snow next winter