Any issues/problems with 01 XC 800 SPs? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Joelk · 11-06-2009, 09:51 PM

Thinking about buying one and wondering if they have a common problems/issues that I should look out for.

Thanks, Joel

polaris rider · 11-06-2009, 09:52 PM

Does that sled have VES(variable exhaust system) If so, ull have probs with that sense its a 800, but im not sure if the valves were in 01 sleds

Joelk · 11-06-2009, 10:05 PM

From what I have read, 02 was the first year for VES on the 800.

polaris rider · 11-07-2009, 08:14 AM

If thats the case, then no, im pretty sure theres no major issues with that model.. should be good!

Joelk · 11-07-2009, 09:10 PM

I have read that there are some PTO bearing/crank issues with 800 Twins.

Apparently many have run them for 10K miles or more without trouble, but more than a few have had issues.

I did buy the sled and it seems very solid.

The owner has only had it for about a year and said he is not aware of it ever having any crank problems or work done to the crank/case, but really has no idea what the prior owner did, or did not do to it.

I have a dial indicator and can pull the clutch and check runout.

It is checks within spec, is it OK to run?

How frequently should I check it?

xxxthebxxx · 11-07-2009, 09:23 PM

My Dad's 02 Edge XCSP 800 has been perfectly fine and it now has 5k miles. The only problem started with the track but it was overstudding not the sled's fault. Overall you should be fine!

xc edge · 11-11-2009, 11:28 AM

i have an 02 and have had no issues with anything or the ves valves

**BC_Dan** · 11-11-2009, 02:49 PM

The 800 has a lot of failures in the mountain sleds, the crankcase gets worn and can't support the crank and the end of the crank breaks off. The XC is not as prone to that happening, the track length and how the sled is ridden is totally different. Failure rate on the XC is nowhere NEAR the failure rate of the RMK.

Joelk · 11-11-2009, 08:59 PM

XC Edge, about how many miles on yours?

BC_Dan, I had read that the RMKs were more prone to the problem than the XCs, but not how much more prone.

Any guess as to failure rate of the 800 cranks in the XCs? Is it 5%, 10%, 20% or??

**BC_Dan** · 11-11-2009, 11:39 PM

I'm sure if you ask Polaris, the failure rate is "within industry standards"

If you did a poll of RMK riders, they would say they love the power the engine has, but hate having to replace cranks every 2000 miles. You do the same poll of XC riders, they love the engine because of the power and that it keeps going and going and going. You just don't hear of that many problems in the XC.

Out west, to make 'em run longer, keeping the clutch balanced seems to help a lot. Adding an engine plate to stiffen up the bottom end, a torque link on the PTO front side, a push stop on the MAG side front, and adding a wider bearing to the PTO end seem to be the main things guys do to that engine to keep 'em on the snow. For an XC, i'm betting if you keep the clutch balanced and have the crank runout checked once a year, it will go a long time for you. A crank that is out of spec isn't guaranteed to fail, but if it's running true, it would give me a warm fuzzy feeling

Joelk · 11-12-2009, 08:27 PM

Dan, thanks for the info. That's what I was hoping to hear.

I have a dial indicator. How is the crank runout checked?

Pull clutch, pull plugs, put dial indicator on crank near seal, rotate engine and observe dial indicator??

What is acceptable run out?

**BC_Dan** · 11-12-2009, 09:54 PM

That sounds like a good procedure, Total crank runout should be .000" to .004". It's not a guarantee it will run a long time if it's .000, but almost all of 'em go south if they are over .006.

You can also remove the recoil and measure the MAG side... I had that done when I bought an 800. That end seldom has issues, though.

farmaloose · 11-17-2009, 02:59 AM

how do you or where do you get the clutch balanced?

**BC_Dan** · 11-17-2009, 10:03 AM

I send mine to Starting Line Products. Indy Specialty also does a great job. There are a lot of shops out there that have the capability.

Starting Line Products

INDY SPECIALTY
23503 145TH AVE
WELCH MN 55089
651-388-9045

farmaloose · Yesterday, 11:18 AM

BC If they are balanced at the factory, and no parts are changed or broke why do they need to be rebalanced all the time on the 800?

**RJ Gleason** · Yesterday, 11:20 AM

OEM balancing and aftermarket balancing are two different animals.

Usually the aftermarket balancing is more precise and allows for a smoother (less vibration) running engine.

**BC_Dan** · Yesterday, 09:14 PM

Like RJ said. One really reputable shop has stated a lot of the Polaris clutches are not balanced very well from the factory, and on the 800, it really hurts the life of the crankcases. He has put NEW clutches on the balancer and they are really off. FWIW

Joelk · Yesterday, 09:43 PM

If the clutch is balanced once, and no parts are changed in the clutch, is there any reason it would need balanced again?

Approx. how much does it cost to get it balanced?

I don't have any sled shops near me and shipping may costs more than the balancing.

Can an automotive machine shop, that balances engines do the balancing or does it require special fixtures etc?

**BC_Dan** · Today, 12:08 AM

I think SLP charges about 40 bucks for balancing. If there are problems, the cost may go up. If the clutch is in balance, changing weights and springs won't affect the balance.

Other shops may have a machine that could balance a snowmobile clutch, but if they don't know sleds and have never balanced a snowmobile clutch before, would you trust their work? That clutch is turning 8000 rpm, it needs to be pretty close to perfect...

xc edge · Today, 02:10 PM

1275 miles