Starter issues on vipers

[NOS-PRO]

Just curious why you have the carb mounted that way?

He's got 2 carbs mounted that way

 

[NOS-PRO]

Had this backfire and break the starter case in half so yeah kickbacks can be very damaging

View attachment 113398

Looks like someone had some fun making that intake manifold to run 2 doubles

Notice the reducer on the water hose....WTF?

 

[stingray719]

Just curious why you have the carb mounted that way?

It has twin Dominators on it.

 

[stingray719]

Looks like someone had some fun making that intake manifold to run 2 doubles

Notice the reducer on the water hose....WTF?

Water fed from heads instead of thermos housing, much cooler that way. 427 Chevy by the way.

Better get back on topic....lol

 

[mtotguy]

It has twin Dominators on it.

OK I see it now!

 

[trevorl1]

Agreed

Plus, not everyone is running all stock either. Will the airbox mod cause a worse condition with the 2015 re-flash than someone with a stock airbox? Some run premium while some run regular. Spark plugs? How many switched over to 10EK plugs?

So many factors..... I hate seeing a sled that I love and a company that I have been very loyal to, get the bad rep that it's getting. My New Years resolution was to see this issue go away, get all the Vipers running like they should....but it seems the issue is getting worse.

Cannondale and others, would it be worth starting a poll on who is having starter issues, what mods they have, if the performance flash from EVO fixed their issues or what they did to fix the issue? Maybe even a double poll or triple poll.

Ex.
Have you or are you having starter issues? Yes __ No __ Mods? Airbox__ Exhaust__ EVO Flash__ PCV__
2014, 2014 after re-flash, 2015, 2016? _____
Is your sled or was your sled fixed Yes__ No__ Still Having problems? Yes__ No__

Is there a updated spark plug for our sleds?

 

[cannondale27]

I do know of a few cases where JUST the nose broke off starter. No other damage. So yes that is very possible. Would think that little spline gear right on starter would shear before that gear though. Like said multiple issues going on.

 

[cannondale27]

Is there a updated spark plug for our sleds?

I run the EK's.

 

[yamamarc]

From what I have been reading the starter isssues on Yamaha's 4 strokes have been around in all models! Just throwing this out there due to the higher compression of the engines could the starters be under engineered for the higher compression of a 4 stroke vs a 2 stroke engine?

 

[yamamarc]

We can all say how the issue is ecu programming, spark plugs, bad batch of gears.... With all the trends and all the variables in regards to starter failures I thinking it all about the bad engineering design that Yamaha came up with! Maybe Yamaha should look at a more robust and dependable means of starting this engine even if it means adding a pound or 2?

 

[cannondale27]

You can see the direction they are going by looking at the YXZ engine. Much beefier starter mounting and bigger intermediate gear of course none of that matters if its not all properly made. Hence the failed rods. Not a very good thing for a "Engine Company" I just hope they figure it out and that it doesnt affect the pending release of their new sled models. I am a diehard Yamaha guy and it would scare me right now to buy a new one because of the engine issues.

 

[yamamarc]

You can see the direction they are going by looking at the YXZ engine. Much beefier starter mounting and bigger intermediate gear of course none of that matters if its not all properly made. Hence the failed rods. Not a very good thing for a "Engine Company" I just hope they figure it out and that it doesnt affect the pending release of their new sled models. I am a diehard Yamaha guy and it would scare me right now to buy a new one because of the engine issues.

I am also a "yamaha guy" I haven't had a single issue with my 2014 viper or with my wife's zr7000 but reading all this" jibber jabber" about the starters is starting to get me second guessing the quality and dependability that Yamaha strives on! Yamaha seems to be going down the same path Chevw (GM) did a few years back! The reliability of Yamaha motors is the main reason for my dedication to them and starting them is one of them

 

[yamamarc]

My wife often heads out on rides with other ladies so I make sure the maintenance is done and everything is running perfect! If she get stuck somewhere because of a starter issue I will not be happy!

 

[mtotguy]

From what I have been reading the starter isssues on Yamaha's 4 strokes have been around in all models! Just throwing this out there due to the higher compression of the engines could the starters be under engineered for the higher compression of a 4 stroke vs a 2 stroke engine?

Since Yamaha went to the 4 stroke I have owned or have been very closely associated with 13 of them. 4 Nytros, 1 Apex, 4 Vectors, 2 Phazers, 2 Vipers. The only sled that has ever had a starter issue was my Viper. I'm not saying the problem hasn't existed from the beginning. I'm just saying that the data I have suggests that there is something different about some of the vipers. Maybe the starters have been weak all along but were able to survive until subjected to kickbacks, low voltage from long battery cables, more advanced ignition timing, etc.

 

[shagman]

Since Yamaha went to the 4 stroke I have owned or have been very closely associated with 13 of them. 4 Nytros, 1 Apex, 4 Vectors, 2 Phazers, 2 Vipers. The only sled that has ever had a starter issue was my Viper. I'm not saying the problem hasn't existed from the beginning. I'm just saying that the data I have suggests that there is something different about some of the vipers. Maybe the starters have been weak all along but were able to survive until subjected to kickbacks, low voltage from long battery cables, more advanced ignition timing, etc.

I hear ya. But I think it's just numbers. You can't go anywhere without seeing a bunch of vipers. None of the other models can say that. Production of the viper over the last 3 years most likely surpasses their total of all other machines produced with the 1049 engine combined since it was released. Also people are riding more the last few years. That's my take.


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