SX 700 seized

slednek

New member
Joined
Jan 20, 2004
Messages
23
Location
Peoria IL
I need some help! I was riding in the UP on 2/5. About 20 miles from our cabin, I heard a slight rattle coming from the engine ('97 SX 700) then everything just stopped. I couldn't pull it over. It behaved like something in the low end gave out. Had to get towed back to the cabin, I had to rent a Ski Doo the next day! Didn't like that!

After getting back home and started to tear it down, the pistons looked OK to me, but I have never had to tear one down before. After pulling the jugs off, it still would not pull over. I am now waiting on a clutch puller to get the motor out.

What would anyone say is the matter?, what would cause this? and how much am I looking at to rebuild?

Dave
 

I don't know what your problem is, but I have a complete bottom end , case crank and rods for sale 500 plus shipping. Maxdlx
 
Did you open the chain case? Is the crank still in one piece? Will the track move? Something is binding up and you should'nt need to pull your clutch to figure it out. I have a hundred more questions but we need more info too.
 
I took the drive belt off to get out of the woods, so the track did move then. I have not checked the chain case. I was pulling the clutch to get the motor out of the sled.

I have never been this deep into one, so it's all new to me.
 
Sounds like crank bearings seized. Doesn't take much to start to wear the bearings. A little condensation over the summer can cause a bit of rust to start and in time you will have failure. If that indeed is your problem the bottom end maxdlx has would be your best bet. You will be right around the same moneywise rebuilding your crank if it didn't spin a bearing on the race and toast the crank. Plus it will get you back on the snow alot quicker instead of waiting for the machine shop to do your crank.
 
If its a 97 they had problems on the mag side crank bearing. If you rebuild it have the crank and cas updated to 98 specs.
 
I know I am probably looking at rebuilding, but what caused this in the first place? How can you tell if the oil injector is still operating the way it should? Or was it just time for it to go? I have 4300 miles on it.
 
I can tell you that Maxdlx's sled ran great over the weekend. Untill he found out that trees dont move.

Tod
 
I ran it up to 95 after the tree, with only one rivet in the trailing arm mount. Just decided its time for a 4 banger. maxdlx
 
I would say crank bearing as well....been der dun dat this year already. Improper summerization is how it was explained to me(engine fogging for storage). One piece of advice spend the extra money on the Yamaha bearings and seals especially. If you put knock off seals back in you may be rebuilding in another 400 miles!!!
 
yea could be a crank bearing (most likely by far) or a some sort of debris (such as a piston skirt, dont ask how i know). Definately gotta get that bottom end apart. For most damage, you would be cheaper finding a used set of cases.
 
The 97 700's had issues with the crank bearings. Some had no issues, some had issues from the begining, but most had them in the 5000 mile range. That is why in 98 they changed the bearing style. This had nothing to do with storage, fogging, or rust. It was a bearing issue. If you choose to upgrade to the 98 bearings you need to have the cases machined. You will need the 98 case specs as well. Or, the cheaper way out is to find a nice used 98 crank and cases(bottom end) and go from there. Everything else will bolt right up to th 98's.
 
I want to thank everyone that has replied.

I have a question for Max.....the lower end you have for sale, does it meet the '98 specs that some have mentioned here in the thread?
 
You can have the crank rebuilt to 98 specs. The only thing you need to do to the case is to have a dowl inserted and maybe change an oiling port.. The bearing changed from two ball bearings to a single big roller bearing. I think that the 98 and later cases are also stronger. If my memory is right there is either more bolts or more ribbing.


Call the Meyer Yamaha in Ispeming, MI and talk to Greg Meyer 906-486-8630. I sent him my 97 case and a new 98 crank and he did all the work for under 50.00. He did laugh when I bought a new crank he said he could have had it rebuilt for a lot cheaper.

Mine froze up just outside of Barga and I towed it into Ispeming. It just happens that the guy that owns the Yamaha dealer is a regional repair rep for Yamaha Golf carts. Needless to say he knew snowmobiles inside out also.
 


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