bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
Well it started ok fine.Brought sled in heated garage.Took 21 pulls to start her up and 10 min.warm-up.Defrosted whole sled and greased it all up.Got clutches all tuned up.Took it out and she really ran good.Took off about 10 miles from the house.Just worked the sucker man,off the line..front end goes up when launching,just enough mind you.8100-8200 launch and rapid climb to 8500. Boy does it ever feel good. Off the trail into the soft stuff and just giving her,jumping crossings and hammering the snow drifts.Air borne a few good times...wicked.But when I am in the real soft stuff and pin it...I can hear something slipping ..like the belt...so I let up a tad.Just does,t sound right to me.Anyways for the next half hour doing the same thing.Lining myself up and doing runs,checking my rpm's and they were just perfect. Now this is with the use of a Ultimax3 belt.On my way home along the hi-way..pinning it good and with about 1000ft to go to my yard....there is a grinding sound and just total noise coming from the clutch side and all of a sudden no more power.I thought to myself-OH,OH.What the $%#* now?Engine is dying down and I stop.Open the hood and what a mess.That stupid belt(brand now) exploded into a zilliuon pieces and the strands friggin wrapped around my speed-0 cable and just yanked it from both ends.Couldn't open hood all the way,pressure on the speed-o cable being yanked back from the hood.Put a nice warp at the end of the belt cover and lucky me nothing tangeled up in the clutches.Had my spare belt with me,put it on and got in the yard.Pulled all debris out and went for another ride to make sure everything is working good.Only thing is the speed-0 is out of comission.Have to check tomorrow if the retaining nut is still on the threads down below where it connects to axle.
I will never...and I mean never use an aftermarket belt again,just OEM.The OEM belt I put on after is 1 season old and works great.Only thing now all my rpm's have changed again with this belt.Now launches at 8600 and 9000 at WOT. Here I go again.Going to have to order a new speed-o cable for sure.Not sure about the place it connects to on the axle,down below the secondary.
I am lucky it didn't do any more damage.This was the first time in my driving sleds this has ever happened.Those stupid Ultimas 3 belts are garbage.Turk told me they will grab better but wont last as long.Like it lasted for about an hour.I wonder what a speed-0 cable will cost me.MNew belt for sure around $90.00+ taxes.Anyways here are some pics of whats left of that damn belt and the speed-0 cable all twisted up with belt strands.
I will never...and I mean never use an aftermarket belt again,just OEM.The OEM belt I put on after is 1 season old and works great.Only thing now all my rpm's have changed again with this belt.Now launches at 8600 and 9000 at WOT. Here I go again.Going to have to order a new speed-o cable for sure.Not sure about the place it connects to on the axle,down below the secondary.
I am lucky it didn't do any more damage.This was the first time in my driving sleds this has ever happened.Those stupid Ultimas 3 belts are garbage.Turk told me they will grab better but wont last as long.Like it lasted for about an hour.I wonder what a speed-0 cable will cost me.MNew belt for sure around $90.00+ taxes.Anyways here are some pics of whats left of that damn belt and the speed-0 cable all twisted up with belt strands.
Attachments
2001SRX=Fast
New member
haha happens to the best of us i told you not to go out.
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
It was a perfect day to drive,not cold at all for me.Since I am using the OEM belt now and launch at 8600 and WOT at 9000,Mr 2001SRX=fast,what do ypou suggest for getting rpm's down now to 8200 at launch and 8500 at WOT.Not that funny,but could of been worse.
2001SRX=Fast
New member
you need more weight. most likly in the heel.
boondoctor
New member
I was riding for a bit today also, it was actually not as cold as i anticipated. Yep, oem belts for me, i never blew my Ultimax that bad, but it sure never lasted like the 8DN. On the plus side, looks like the snow is gonna stay for a while so you will have ample time for tuning.
Bearit
New member
I am not defending the ultimax belt because I always use a 8dn but from what you posted you did everything wrong when you break in a new belt,not trying to be a smart *** but do a search on new belt break in procedures and see for yourself.
Steve
Steve
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
I broke the belt in properly a while back when I bought it.Did exactly what the instructions said.I washed the belt prior to use.I adjusted secondary so belt sits at the right hieght.My clutches are aligned.Center to Center is right on to.Belt was adjusted so that with sled idleing track would move slowly (jerking movement) by itself.No belt squeal present.I drove at moderate speeds for the first 20 miles to break it in.I have been switching belts from this one to OEM when doing my clutch tuning.I was riding all last weekend with the same belt and the weekend before after our big snow storm.So the belt is broken in.I said that today belt was put back on and lasted for only an hour before it blew.
skidooboy
New member
not to rub it in but i am with bearit as well. to hard on a new belt especially at those temps you guys have (-25-30c) and the noise you heard would have lead you to look at the root cause before things go too bad.
on the speedo thing, look at the drive key, it probably broke too, get a new key (cheap) and make sure it is 100% as long as the old key. they were known to lose the tips and lodge in the drive shaft, then the next key would fail as the piece is still in there. and that creates a big mess to (been there done dat).
lastly check the pto side seal, sometimes those kevlar belts get in the seal area behind the clutch and tear the seal, then you are only an air leak away from a possible catastrophic engine failure.
we all live and learn so far it hasnt been too expensive for you yet. hope things work out better. ski
on the speedo thing, look at the drive key, it probably broke too, get a new key (cheap) and make sure it is 100% as long as the old key. they were known to lose the tips and lodge in the drive shaft, then the next key would fail as the piece is still in there. and that creates a big mess to (been there done dat).
lastly check the pto side seal, sometimes those kevlar belts get in the seal area behind the clutch and tear the seal, then you are only an air leak away from a possible catastrophic engine failure.
we all live and learn so far it hasnt been too expensive for you yet. hope things work out better. ski
Bearit
New member
Sorry Bluemonster
I did not read that anyware on your post (mybad) Did you have a chance to check your primary and secondery temps, could you touch the sheaves for about 3 to 4 seconds before you had to remove your hand.
Steve
I did not read that anyware on your post (mybad) Did you have a chance to check your primary and secondery temps, could you touch the sheaves for about 3 to 4 seconds before you had to remove your hand.
Steve
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
I will check things better tomorrow morning.The belt seemed to have ended up more on the outside of the clutch,but I will check.On the belt thing,was running that belt 3 weeks ago and to tell you the truth,didn't seem to like it much.Felt different then OEM belt.The material is inferior to the OEM I think,cheaper compound in my estimation.The OEM belt is tough but more expensive. I bought the Ultimax because it was cheaper in price.My OEM belt has gone thru 1 season already and still shows no signs of failing .I ran it today after the first one failed and I didn't baby it either.Besides the riding temp today was -19 C. I have driven in -35 on my other Yamaha sleds I owned with Oem belts and never had a problem with them.I learned that this is the heart of the drivetrain and not to cut back on quality.
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
Bearit,I usually check clutches for heat.When it blew,I didn`t think of it.Usually when I get home from a ride I will check the clutches for heat and they have always run cool for me,not to hot to touch.When that belt blew I was running on hard packed snow and there was no noise from slipping or anything present.It just happened.I don`t think them belts are
high performance belts.
high performance belts.
Bearit
New member
If you have a caliper measure your 8dn and if it still is in spec use it,Canadian tire sells a digital one for about $40,one of the best investments in tools I ever made.
Steve
Steve
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
Hey Bearit I do have one of those from Can Tire.I`ll check tomorrow.But I remember when I got my Ultimax3 belt,it actually measurement a bit narrower then the Oem belt that I have used for one season.Thought that was wierd.
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
I am usually thorough when it comes to specs and everything has to be right for me.I am just not a clutching guru,but learning.
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
I am gone to the shed to pull the clutches off,and check belt,PTO seal and the speed-0 axle.Will be back on later.
Bearit
New member
I think that the ultimax 3 belts are designed a little different,I think they have more belt angel from the bottom to the top,so they ride higher in the secondary,Maybe someone with more knowledge will chim in as I am not a clutching guru either.
Steve
Steve
mulderdad
New member
Those belts are S#!*! I bought one last winter and it lasted about 45 mins. Everything was aligned also. Funny thing is my bud caught it by accident. We ran up to the store to get filled up and I just happened to lift my hood to check my plug wires. He spotted fraying on the side of the belt and said "dude, you're gonna blow that belt!"
Me being a little bit of a bonehead told him i'd change it when we got back to his house 10 mins away. Half way across twelve mile lake and I was getting a weird dust coming out of the hood vents. Stopped and the damn belt was just starting to really come apart. The worst thing about it was under the hood was covered in a fibreglass like powder. I still havn't got it all off everything. 8dn's only from now on!!
PEACE,
mul.
Me being a little bit of a bonehead told him i'd change it when we got back to his house 10 mins away. Half way across twelve mile lake and I was getting a weird dust coming out of the hood vents. Stopped and the damn belt was just starting to really come apart. The worst thing about it was under the hood was covered in a fibreglass like powder. I still havn't got it all off everything. 8dn's only from now on!!
PEACE,
mul.
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
oh what fun it is to ride with an exploding Ultimax3
Yep Mulderdad,them belts really suck.Just throwing money away.Anyways Bearit,I checked my OEM belt from last year and it is still within specs.Only worn down 33% after 4000 km's,not bad eh.It measures at 33.83mm.New is 34.5mm and worn down is 32.50mm.
Skidooboy,I checked the PTO seal and it is fine,wasn't even touched anywhere near it.All the belt ended up on outside of clutch.The key from the speed-0 is not lodged or broken in the axle.It is actually still on the end of the destroyed speed-0 line,a little kinked to.The axle is clear.The nut was still on the axle,cable pulled thru it.Threads are ok.In the morning will re -tune the clutch and run OEM belt.Have to order speed-0 cable and the key for the axle.Also will buy a new Oem belt at the same time.This will not stop my riding.Checked the plugs also,they are a perfect color.Have my Temp-A-Flow set at the dot position.
Yep Mulderdad,them belts really suck.Just throwing money away.Anyways Bearit,I checked my OEM belt from last year and it is still within specs.Only worn down 33% after 4000 km's,not bad eh.It measures at 33.83mm.New is 34.5mm and worn down is 32.50mm.
Skidooboy,I checked the PTO seal and it is fine,wasn't even touched anywhere near it.All the belt ended up on outside of clutch.The key from the speed-0 is not lodged or broken in the axle.It is actually still on the end of the destroyed speed-0 line,a little kinked to.The axle is clear.The nut was still on the axle,cable pulled thru it.Threads are ok.In the morning will re -tune the clutch and run OEM belt.Have to order speed-0 cable and the key for the axle.Also will buy a new Oem belt at the same time.This will not stop my riding.Checked the plugs also,they are a perfect color.Have my Temp-A-Flow set at the dot position.
Exciterfan
Member
Take a deep breath Blue!!
It's quite possible that you've heated up that belt with all of the clutching work you've done. Carlise make a good belt. Send them the $9.00, the remains of your belt and the necessary paperwork and they'll send you a new belt. If you don't want it I'll give you$20.00 for it (double your money!!!).
I blew my belt last year and it happend for two reasons 1) clutch alginment and 2) I was racing an APEX and my belt already had 2800 Kms on it. I was stupid.
You may have your centre to centre correct, but your offset might be wrong and you might have the clutches skewed a little (not parallel). That's what I found on mine. Buy yourself an alignment tool or throw your sled on a trailer and bring it over and we can check it here.
Yamaha doesn't make belts. They are made by someone else for Yamaha. Might even be Carlisle, maybe Gates??? Their belts are harder and that is why your RPMs are now up. I'll guarantee you that there is slippage happening now, That's why you need more primary weight to clamp the belt tighter.
You can stick with OEM, but don't assume that you will be immune to belt failure. All belts fail and if you ignore them they'll really fail. When a Yamaha belt fails it will fail good!! Been there done that.
I think the Big Guy upstairs (who also rides a Yamaha by the way) knows you like to tinker, and just wanted to make sure you didn't have NOTHING to do.
:>)
Anyway Don't sweat it. It'll probably happen again sometime or something else will happen. It's snowmobiling!!!
(in the 70s, I had to carry 6 to 8 spare spark plugs just to make sure I'd make it home from a 40 mile ride, and it was a single banger sled!!!!)
Take it easy buddy
Exciterfan
Don't forget I'll buy the replacement belt if you decide to arrange for the free replacement
It's quite possible that you've heated up that belt with all of the clutching work you've done. Carlise make a good belt. Send them the $9.00, the remains of your belt and the necessary paperwork and they'll send you a new belt. If you don't want it I'll give you$20.00 for it (double your money!!!).
I blew my belt last year and it happend for two reasons 1) clutch alginment and 2) I was racing an APEX and my belt already had 2800 Kms on it. I was stupid.
You may have your centre to centre correct, but your offset might be wrong and you might have the clutches skewed a little (not parallel). That's what I found on mine. Buy yourself an alignment tool or throw your sled on a trailer and bring it over and we can check it here.
Yamaha doesn't make belts. They are made by someone else for Yamaha. Might even be Carlisle, maybe Gates??? Their belts are harder and that is why your RPMs are now up. I'll guarantee you that there is slippage happening now, That's why you need more primary weight to clamp the belt tighter.
You can stick with OEM, but don't assume that you will be immune to belt failure. All belts fail and if you ignore them they'll really fail. When a Yamaha belt fails it will fail good!! Been there done that.
I think the Big Guy upstairs (who also rides a Yamaha by the way) knows you like to tinker, and just wanted to make sure you didn't have NOTHING to do.
:>)
Anyway Don't sweat it. It'll probably happen again sometime or something else will happen. It's snowmobiling!!!
(in the 70s, I had to carry 6 to 8 spare spark plugs just to make sure I'd make it home from a 40 mile ride, and it was a single banger sled!!!!)
Take it easy buddy
Exciterfan
Don't forget I'll buy the replacement belt if you decide to arrange for the free replacement
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
Ok my friend,that's a deal for sure.I wonder how much a speed-0 cable will cost.You didn't destroy yours when you blew your belt.I like it how the foot well backer plate got dented in,crazy man.