Which years Had the Bad rods in engine ?

[Snowmobile Mike]

I had a 2014 I think I remember that year was Not a problem !
Now that I'm back with a 2016 this rod problem is come up ,from memory I'm not feeling to good thinking IT IS ON 2016 ! What's some warning signs any thing that could be done in care that could prevent major issues ? It's only got 143 miles on it, I have not driven it let ?
Which years had Bad Rods ? What's the solution ?

 

[snowfever27]

Early 2016 Vipers had the good engine. The last half of 2016 had the weak rods. If you don’t put a turbo on the sled you should be fine. This thread addresses the issues:

https://ty4stroke.com/threads/is-it-best-to-avoid-the-late-build-2016-sr-vipers-bad-rods.149406/

 

[Snowmobile Mike]

Is there a build date or something on tunnel or does it show up on serial number ?
How do We find out call selling dealer ?

 

[Yamajon1]

Look in the frequently asked questions section and it will show you how to tell the difference between the early and late build engines. Later builds have the none turbo rods. They are not "Bad Rods" they were redesigned and no longer are strong enough when adding a turbo. If your not gonna boost it ride it like you stole it. There doesn't seem to be a list showing serial numbers or build dates that I have seen.

 

[snowfever27]

If you pull the side panels and look at the head of the engine, the good engines had rubber half moons on the top of the head, where it meets the cylinders, the non-turbo engines did not have the rubber half moons.

This is also a good thread. It should answer all your questions.

https://ty4stroke.com/threads/2016-5-late-build-viper-changes.137648/

 

[Wannaviper]

I have a 2014, 2015 and a 2016 Viper, and I know that everyone says the 2016 engine is fine as long as you don't boost it, but I swear that my grandson's 2014 XTX with 9,000 miles on it has more "umph" than my 2016 XTX. That being said, I still love my 2016, and I am very happy with its performance.

 

[Jipper]

I have a 16 LTX LE with 2000 miles on it and I ride it like a stole it. Never had a problem except the skis and lack of snow. I have not and will not turbo it. Its a great riding sled once you adjust the shocks to your liking.

 

[yamadoo]

Remember its NOT bad rods UNLESS you TURBO. I have never read of a pattern of rod failure on a naturally aspirated VIPER.

 

[cannondale27]

Remember its NOT bad rods UNLESS you TURBO. I have never read of a pattern of rod failure on a naturally aspirated VIPER.

This is true. I thought it would happen eventually but it hasnt ever that I know of. Thankfully!

 

[74Nitro]

I had a 2014 I think I remember that year was Not a problem !
Now that I'm back with a 2016 this rod problem is come up ,from memory I'm not feeling to good thinking IT IS ON 2016 ! What's some warning signs any thing that could be done in care that could prevent major issues ? It's only got 143 miles on it, I have not driven it let ?
Which years had Bad Rods ? What's the solution ?

The 2016 were the weaker rods. As I've been told, Yamaha sourced someone(I heard Subaru)for their engines after the tsunami damaged some of their factories in Japan. They were not as strong as rods used in earlier vipers as well as Nytros, which I don't think ever had rod issues, even with lots of boost.

 

[74Nitro]

The 2016 were the weaker rods. As I've been told, Yamaha sourced someone(I heard Subaru)for their engines after the tsunami damaged some of their factories in Japan. They were not as strong as rods used in earlier vipers as well as Nytros, which I don't think ever had rod issues, even with lots of boost.

Just some engine components.

 

[blueironranger]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 16.5+ if I had no plans to turbo, heck, I'd change out the rods and piston on my 14' If I ever turbo it because I'd become a Boostaholic! Lower compression pistons are a far better solution to running higher boost levels than a head shim down the road.