recalls/service bulletins

[equillibrium88]

Ok, so I know when a vehicle gets a recall, the manufacturer performs this at no cost to the owner.
What about service bulletins?
the dealer I bought my sled from (2007 phazer gt) went out of business a few years ago, now the local arctic cat dealer has picked up the Yamaha contract.

Looking at some other posts with respect to the updates Yamaha has so nicely done for every other model year other then the 07's, its seems we're gettin fooked a bit.

For instance, the handwarmers suck. They only ever get hot when I'm rippin and turn off during deacceleration. I wanna see if the dealer can give me a deal with S2007-012 bulletin.

Case in point what is the difference? What will a dealer cover and what will it not and what proof do I need? Can't they just run the Vin# to check?

 

[cannondale27]

They will cover only recalls. Forever as far as I know. There was only a few recalls. 07's recieved most updates and recalls of all the years. Not sure why you would think otherwise. If the recalls were done you will have two punch marks above two of the numbers in your serial number which is stamped into the tunnel. I believe one was the airbox recall and one was a steering recall. Rest of the so called updates expire and are only needed if there is a issue with yours. It is up to Yamaha if they provide them. You can always buy the kits for the updates at a reasonable price if needed. Some never need them. Should all be listed in FAQ and if not there in VIP tech bulletins. Hint. It pays to become a VIP here. Yes the dealer can just run the vin to check.

 

[Mooseman]

You have to read each tech bulletin. Some expire, like the cold weather update that expired on Dec.31, 2009 and others, like the ground connector issue, that don't expire.

 

[porkchop]

My W bracket 'appeared' to have a crack in it, wasn't broke but dealer squeeked it thru with Yamaha.
It was over $500 in parts alone I was informed, then add labor.... Hefty chunk of change to lay down for something they knew had problems but if it's not broke, no fixing anymore.
The #3 or 4th updated version they put on mine broke @ the center mounting weld for the pivot last year (only on 2 seasons/ 2800 miles). Was then SOL, dealer price (at cost- $229) ended up going with a new generation #1 arm off Ebay for $80 and modifying "W" and 3/16" gusset plate bracing, worked great.

Gotta realize "warranties" & such run out and a dealer can only do so much in a time frame, find the good ones that will work with you afterwards. Snowmobiling isn't cheap..........ever.
I still had the rest of the YES when I got mine- 2 years was a nice thing to have on a used sled.
Ran the VIN, some updates & such done by previous owner then myself.
On my own now.

My buddy just bought a pretty clean + all stock '07 GT with 2525 miles for $2400 on consignment thru a dealer we do sport bike business with.
After I mentioned all the early problems to him, he's inquiring to get "updates/ recalls/ warranty" work thru dealer with VIN....
Feeling he's gonna be SOL too.

 

[cannondale27]

For the suspension Yamaha did not fix enough. When they updated everything they should have also done the shocks. If a sled bottoms eventually something will break. That is where they went wrong with yours Porkchop. They should have done everything at once. No weak links or failure is inevitable.

 

[porkchop]

New shocks too?
Would've been ok with me.

Mine have all been re-worked, set up & valved way different for my carcass.
They ride really good for being factory, never had an issue with them.

Been told by the trusted shock guy, a shock not bottoming out once in awhile isn't working properly.


Ride on!

 

[cannondale27]

So yours still broke even though it only bottomed maybe twice a ride? What is meant bt occasionally? Sounds like a excuse to me. If not so something was missed in the update. And what your shock guy really meant was that a shock should use all its travel if done right it will do that and not bottom noticeably. I will tell you this. My sled is plush and if it ever bottoms it is so soft I dont notice. If you notice you will break something and you need a better revalve or new shocks.

 

[Mooseman]

What about getting higher rate springs? My MP bottomed on a regular basis because it was originally equipped for single rider with a lower rate spring but when I replaced the skid with a VL's, it's a lot better.

 

[cannondale27]

Higher rate spings dont work since then the rebound is too fast and ride becomes harsh. Had that when I cranked the springs all the way up on my stock shocks. She kicked like a mule.

 

[equillibrium88]

Thank you for the replies. You have to understand that my previous dealer did not send out diddly to remind customers of recalls. It just so happens I had my sled up there to get studded and they asked me if they told me about it, which of course they hadn't so they did the recall for the steering system. Don't see any punch marks on my date plate.

I know snowmobiling is not cheap, I live in Canada everything is more expensive here then the US.

I had my reverse crap out on me, this same dealer botched the repair charged me for it then just prior to going into receivership, told me that they really didn't fix it so the sled won't run. 500 people already had a class action suit against them so needless to say I'm not going to try(I got the labour reimbursed). It cost me $2200 to fix what they did including the replacement of the ECU (they broke the connector pins using their multimeter) which was updated to the cold weather version by another more trustworthy dealer. Yamaha also caughed up a new wiring harness saving me an additional $500. Never knew anything about an airbox issue. Also never had a starter issue knock on wood.

I was merely trying to decipher the difference between what is covered and what isn't. My warrenty lasted 1 year, not sure what it is for you south of the 49th.

I bothers me that there is so many issues with the model year and that somehow I slipped through the cracks.

Is there any way you can send me a link to these bulletins in the vip area?
it would save me a 30min drive to the dealer.

 

[cannondale27]

I cant. You have to be a VIP. It is $10 I believe to become a VIP. Maybe Canada doesnt have the punch marks? Different rules?

 

[stingray719]

You have to read each tech bulletin. Some expire, like the cold weather update that expired on Dec.31, 2009 and others, like the ground connector issue, that don't expire.

Interesting, I have two of my Phazers at the Yamaha shop and they are trying to get Yamaha to cover this cold start mod. It didn't show up obviously because it expired I guess. But at this altitude its damn hard to get a Phazer started without that update. They did do the ball joint update for free, but I am holding my breath on the cold weather start.

 

[stingray719]

You have to read each tech bulletin. Some expire, like the cold weather update that expired on Dec.31, 2009 and others, like the ground connector issue, that don't expire.

Interesting, I have two of my Phazers at the Yamaha shop and they are trying to get Yamaha to cover this cold start mod. It didn't show up obviously because it expired I guess. But at this altitude its damn hard to get a Phazer started without that update. They did do the ball joint update for free, but I am holding my breath on the cold weather start.

Yamaha won't cover cold start anymore. Looks like I will be buying the kit and at least installing ECU as the 45 second start time is annoying.

 

[Mooseman]

You could try to find a used 2008 or later ECU, which would be cheaper than new. The cam spring can't that expensive though.