[1ninjanina]

We rode this weekend and I had an issue I will explain, but the ride before that, I noticed that when I put my machine in reverse, it kind of grabbed and went without giving it any throttle. It's also seemed hard to shift. Probably two different issues. After we rode for a while, it wasn't grabbing any more, it seemed normal.

We rode this weekend, and I was overheating for no apparent reason. My radiator is clean (I cleaned it well after the last ride), and full of antifreeze. I have noticed before that when in low gear, the engine sounds different, and the engine braking is more effective than when in high. The place we rode had several steep hills, and it was holding me back great, which is how I know that I wasn't in high, even though my shifter and display both said I was.

My friend said that when in low, the engine is at higher rpms, and that's probably why i was overheating. Just to confirm, I rode a circle in the field before we loaded up to come home, and in both high and low, with the same speed and throttle, I was over 4000 rpm. What is normal rpms for say, 13mph in high?

I've got 1100 miles on this belt, and I usually ride in high most of the time. Through mud and water, never smelled it burning, never had any issues until now. Our ride a couple weeks ago, I almost drowned it (water up to my knees, the exhaust was bubbling), so I suppose I could have gotten some water in the PVT and caused some slipping/burning, but like I said, never smelled or felt anything off.

What are symptoms of a burned belt? I'm going to call my dealer tomorrow and ask them, but thought I'd see what I get on here as well.

Also, how hard is it to change on the new Sportsman 550? Mine is a 2012. I'm handy, but if it's a PITA, I may pay them to do it.

 

[kemblkr]

My first instinct would be that your belt has nothing to do with the condition your speaking of. Typically a belt issue would be it takes longer to engage or is slipping or lurching. I would almost have to agree it appears your stuck in low or you would have smoked the belt playing in the mud and water.

You could take the plug out of the belt cover and see if there is any water. The belt change isn't that difficult and those instructions should be in your owners manual. Basically, you remove the cover and use the supplied tool to lock the sheaves in place so you can pull the belt off and on.

It almost sounds like something with the gearing? Someone with greater knowledge than me will hopefully chime in.

 

[faawrenchbndr]

Sounds more like a transmission or clutch problem

 

[1ninjanina]

I just looked through my manual, and though it says when to check for water in the PVT, it doesn't tell how to change the belt. They give you the clutch tool, but no pictures or instructions on how to do it! LOL There isn't even a spot in the index for the belt.

I did finally find a sentence or two about when the clutches engage in Hi and Lo, and I'm definitely not getting Hi.

Pardon my lack of knowledge about belts, but what is 'smoked'? Is that like glazing it?

Whatever the problem turns out to be, I hope it's covered under my extended warranty.

 

[faawrenchbndr]

I just looked through my manual, and though it says when to check for water in the PVT, it doesn't tell how to change the belt. They give you the clutch tool, but no pictures or instructions on how to do it! LOL There isn't even a spot in the index for the belt.....

That is a bit more in-depth than many are capable of. A factory service manual is a must for any owner looking at doing maintenance. There is a pdf version available here on the forum from a member PolarisTech1

 

[bezerk1]

These are the same symptoms I have experienced when my clutch buttons failed. I am on my 3rd set now. I switched from the "white" ones to the "black" ones. Hopefully they will be more durable.

 

[Zodiac45]

There is plenty of video's on You Tube showing belt changes. It's not all that difficult. In your case though, it does not sound like a belt issue. I'm thinking that the guy who posted about the clutch buttons is probably on the right track.

 

[paulpolar600]

Same thing with me on my 500ho, my clutch buttons failed and it stayed in low. All was covered under warranty, even the belt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[1ninjanina]

Thanks for your replies guys. I talked to someone at my dealership, and he suggested my shifter might be out of adjustment, though he also said that you guys who suggested clutch issues could also be right. I'm going to see if I can bring it to them tomorrow. I'm more inclined to go with the shifter suggestion, as it has been hard to shift lately. I won't know for sure until I get it to the dealer and they look at it. Hope it's quick and easy.

FYI there is only one video showing how to change my belt, only the guy has an 850, not a 550, and it's not a very good video. I haven't looked at my machine yet, but my friend noticed the location of my cover, and stated that he's glad his isn't like mine. Since they turned the engine sideways, it's in the rear, in cramped quarters.

Also, earlier today when I checked on this thread, there was a post with all the steps of how to change the belt, and now it's gone. If I ever need to change my belt, I will come back and look for the service manual for my machine. Thanks for that information, faawrenchbndr.

I do as much as I can on my machine myself. I changed all the fluids last summer, brake pads last week, and I clean and grease it myself. I plan to change the antifreeze and flush the radiator soon, since it's two years old.

 

[807VikingMetal]

Like the rest said not a belt prob, but a clutch or trans prob.
To get at your belt-
Lift rear of the machine and take off the left rear tire.
Remove the cast frame piece (4bolts)
Remove all the screws all around the clutch housing and pull off the cover.
The clutch tool should thread into a hole in the secondary spreading it apart allowing you to remove it.

 

[1ninjanina]

Dropped her off at the dealer today. After I explained my symptoms, he wrote up my ticket, then came outside and tried it out. He said something about the transmission might be loose, (maybe the back part of the shaft?), and they would check it out. (I wish I could remember exactly what he said) He also said he noticed that it is hard to shift, and they would check that out as well. He told me they are working 1 1/2 to two weeks out right now, so I won't know anything for a while. Hope I can get it back in time for a ride we have planned on May 17. My friend said that if I don't have it back by then, and his son isn't home to go on our ride, I can ride his Outty, and he'll ride his son's Renegade. He said to be careful, I might fall in love with it. LOL

The clutch tool I received with my machine isn't a threaded wrench like for my snowmobile, it's like a c shaped wrench with a handle. I'm sure I could figure it out if I have to use it. For now, I won't worry about it.

He also said that I shouldn't have been overheating from prolonged low gear driving. But my friend said his Renegade will do that as well.

 

[807VikingMetal]

The c shape wrench is for adjusting shock pre load, my kit came with the L shaped threaded clutch tool as well ( just like your sled) an air gauge, and plug wrench I think.
Hope the dealer gets you riding quick.

 

[1ninjanina]

Whoops. My bad. I don't remember getting a clutch wrench, then. I got pliers with Philips and flathead screwdriver on the ends of the handles, the (now informed) shock wrench, tire pressure gauge, maybe some sort of lug wrench. I know it would only make sense that I would have gotten a clutch tool, but if I did, I don't know where it is now. I've built my own little tool kit I carry now. A couple screwdrivers, rivet pliers, vise grips, tire repair kit, breaker bar with socket for lug nuts, and a ratchet and a few sockets of common sizes on my machine. Some zip ties, spare rivets, small compressor, digital pressure gauge.

 

[RVS Performance]

The small hook end of the shock tool is the clutch opening tool that comes with all the 550XP and 850xp machines. There are also no buttons in the secondary on them either. They have rollers. The hard shifting could just be your idle to high. But it definitely sounds like a shifting adjustment or trans problem.

 

[Jody74]

My 04 sportsman was always creeping forward or reverse in gear with no throttled applied. It was very hard to shift in and out of gear. Most of the time I had to shut it off to shift. I took the belt cover off and inspected the situation while the machine was running. I noticed the belt was continuously moving. The belt was warn out. It dropped down further into the clutch sheaves. This created more contact with my belt and in return, caused my machine to creep in gear. The belt should have very little movement at idle. I put a new belt on. It cleared all my problems. Hope this helps others.