BillM Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Well the 6-8inches of slush and at least a foot of powder on Lake Joe were too much for my sled yesterday. Was almost back to the truck when I felt the sled lose power.. I had my dad on the back + our Clam Nanook so there was no way I was going to stop.. Ran it on 1cyl for about 100 meters or so and once we got back to the truck.. Wouldn't restart (although it tried) so I knew I had a dead cyl. Got it home and pulled the head + cyl and yup, cylinder closet to the exhaust was completely destroyed.. Blew one half off the piston skirt (I've never seen that before).. Other cylinder looks fine. No metal or anything in the crankcase.. Other then ordering a new piston/gasket kit is there anything else I should be looking at? I know the 03-06 550 fan cooled engines had major problems, but I can't find anything on my '01.. I've tried to search for additional cooling mods I can make to the sled in order for it to run cooler but haven't had much luck. What about header wrap for the exhaust? Perhaps some ducting from the front to cool the engine down a bit more? I've heard about the 550 running lean in the mid range which leads to the engine popping, but again I can't find anything specific to my year, just the 03-06 engines.. Should I maybe run the tank at 100:1 instead of straight gas in order to get around this issue? Again, just looking for some advice, thanks boys! I had to keep the poor thing pinned to stay up on top of the slush, with all that extra weight it just couldn't take it.. I'm just glad it didn't happen out in the middle of the lake, we would have been in really bad shape if we had to walk back the 4+kms to the truck in those conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 I have no advice about the sled, but how was the fishin on Joe? I haven't been up there for years. Headed up for a few days the first week of march. GL with the sled. Its always that cyl that burns up. Not. A lot you can do really. Maybe make two lighter trips? Should be too bad to repair, as long as no junk got in the crankcase. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecmilley Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 adding more oil just leans it out more, checking and cleaning of the carb should be a first priority, got pics ? imo most of theseissues are related to crap fuel don't take much water to blow a fan engine when it's being worked hard. advice, try www.ontarioconditions.com post some pics and your problem or pm wildbill on that site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted February 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 (edited) I have no advice about the sled, but how was the fishin on Joe? I haven't been up there for years. Headed up for a few days the first week of march. GL with the sled. Its always that cyl that burns up. Not. A lot you can do really. Maybe make two lighter trips? Should be too bad to repair, as long as no junk got in the crankcase. S. I can't see any visible damage to the crank, so hopefully a new piston + re-hone does the job.. Fishing was good, put 18-20 on the ice, nothing big but a fun day with the oldman.. I didn't even think of the sled overheating, 2 trips would have probably been a good idea. ecmilley, appreciate the advice I'll look into that site. Edited February 16, 2013 by BillM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trapshooter Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 You said you blew the piston skirt off the piston? Well where is it?? If a piece of the piston did break off then it's gotta be in the bottom end and that's not good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ketchenany Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Sorry to hear Bill! at least you got back. In the '80s I had a "massy ferguson" I'm not kidding, we finally named her 'halfway' would drive out from Oro just fine but would like to get towed back. Only ran when it was cold, may she rest in piece, I miss her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 You said you blew the piston skirt off the piston? Well where is it?? If a piece of the piston did break off then it's gotta be in the bottom end and that's not good. Yah... it's somewhere! It didn't go out the exhaust... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplumma Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Richen up the mid range will help with the cooling of the engine. Do not add oil as said oil is a lubricant not a coolant. The fuel going into as it flashes has the cooling effect you want. Find all of the pieces before you rebuild there is nothing worse than lunching a new rebuild because you got impatient. Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Other then ordering a new piston/gasket kit is there anything else I should be looking at? Yes!!! A liquid cooled 4 stroke!!!! Sorry for your loss Bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archer379 Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 Check your crank bearings had the same thing last year spit one of the balls out of the bearings and out through the skirt. On a side note are you anywhere near kaladar my indy is out int the woods with a broken spindle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexmedic Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 Replace it with a Rev. Your lower back will thank you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 Wow that sucks. I guess we're screwed for that trip we talked about then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr blizzard Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 Bill check check and recheck before u reassemble, happened to one of our machines, thought we could just replace the piston, looked straight forward, after reassembly found a hairline crack which even a mechanic had not noticed, went on and on, ..............at the end of the day we would have been better off to put a new engine in, hopefully it is just the piston and not bearings bent crank etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted February 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 Appreciate the advice guys.. I rotated the crank and there's no pieces in the bottom end. From the looks of the mashed up piston most of that skirt is melted to the top/sides of it.. (I'll grab some pics so you'll see what I'm talking about).. I checked the intake/exhaust ports for any damage and there is none. Neighbour also came over to take a look at things (He's a snowmobile guy) and gave it a once over. Said a re-hone and piston and I should be good to go. He's also mentioned something to my oldman about filling the bottom end with oil to get any pieces out we can't see, Once I talk to him in person, I'll figure out what he's actually talking about. I'd love to blow some $$$ on a new sled, but I use this thing maybe 15-20 times a year for icefishing and that's it. I'm not ready to sink $$$ into a sled to let it sit there and collect dust, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freshtrax Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 Slap it together it will run its a Polaris. My 700 has run 3000 miles with a crack between the ports on both heads. Muriatic acid does wonders cleaning melted aluminum of cylinder walls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troutologist Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 I feel for you Bill. I am waiting on a complete rebuild or new engine. Bearings let loose and blew up both cylinders....sleds = $ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelhedrmatt Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 (edited) So long as you have it apart, replace the crank bearings and crank seals. Does'nt cost too much more. Check the bottom of the crankcase. This happened to me 2 years ago. I couldnt find the pieces from the piston. Took the whole motor out, and there they were in the belly pan. Bottom of the crankcase there was a loonie size hole i would never have seen unless the motor came out. Certain years of Polaris sleds are known for bad cranks/bearings. Especially the triples. Another word of advise........Don't rebuild the engine on the kitchen table!! The wife does not like that!! (learned the hard way) Edited February 19, 2013 by steelhedrmatt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Farmer Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 Just curious Bill, how old was the gas, just a thought. Gas has only a 30 day shelf life. Maybe that was the cause?? Mechanic at Bay City told me that old gas will melt your pistons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 (edited) Possible causes could be, crank seal leaking on that side causing that cylinder to run leaner, or carb issues (if it's not an efi sled) If it's has dual carbs, you could have an air leak at the carb boot on that cylinder or reduced fuel flow due to dirt or icing in that carb. Also check your main jet size to make sure it's the correct size for the elevation and temp range your operating in. If you're mainly running fuel with 10% ethanol, it's usually advisable to increase your main jet size. Also, when you order new pistons, stick with a cast piston like the Polaris OEM or SPI brand. Avoid using a forged type like Wiseco. The forged type are less forgiving if you don't warm up your sled really well before driving it. Edited February 19, 2013 by Old Man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted February 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 Just curious Bill, how old was the gas, just a thought. Gas has only a 30 day shelf life. Maybe that was the cause?? Mechanic at Bay City told me that old gas will melt your pistons. Gas was 3 days old. I'm not really worried about why it blew up.... . I ran that thing probably 5kms, WOT in 8inches of slush and 1ft of powder doing maybe 30km/h... It overheated I'm 100% certain. I had to make a homemade piston pin puller yesterday to get the piston pin out.. It was in there pretty good.. Got it out however without any problems.. Old Man: Thanks for the advice on the replacement piston, I was actually going to order a Wiseco or Vertex (This is what I've used in the past with my 2-stroke dirtbikes).. But I'll stick with OEM or SPI in this case. I'm assuming the numbers imprinted ontop of the piston are related to it's size? (ie standard, .30 over, .50 over) I'm fairly certain it is, I'll have to cross reference that number before I order a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecmilley Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 some liners can't bored, there nicesil plated, ask your polaris dealer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted February 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 some liners can't bored, there nicesil plated, ask your polaris dealer Yup, did a quick search no overbore on this engine.. SPI piston kit is pretty cheap as well! Sweet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capt_hooked Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 back in the old days... the "sled" was the thing we pulled behind the skidoo.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 We always called the machine the "boggan" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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