C River Yamaha
New member
Hello all and happy new years i'm new to the site so i hope i'm askin this in the rite place but i'm lookin at buyin an 02 sx viper with 3000 miles and it is all stock... What should i look for?? what and where are the problems on these sleds?? Thanks for any help... 
Viper-Rules!
New member
02 viper problems!
Well the 02 vipers had several issue's. The fist major issue is the water pumps tend to blow the mechanicial seal on them and leak coolant all over the belly pan. I would check under-neath the engine with a trouble light and make sure it is dry. Do this after running the sled for a few minutes. This issue seems to only effect 02's and a few 03's. I have an 03 viper with 7200 miles and haven't had any issue's with the water pump.
Second issue is only with the 02's. They used a thinner heat exchanger in 02. Therefore you will need to add an rear heat exchanger to avoid over heating issue's. The last issue with the 02's is there was a recall on the routing of the oil line. Make sure this was updated, or you could be in for major trouble. Also alot of 02 vipers had issues with the wiring rubbing near the front of the sled, mostly on the clamps at the harness joints. Some cases the wiring would rub right through and cause shorts. Real headache to solve. So I would check all of the wiring and make sure it is okay. In 03 they packed and wrapped the wires better to prevent issue's.
Last thing I would check is to take off the cover on the power valve servo motor and make sure they work properly and the cables aren't broken or pulled through. Ask the owner if he or the dealer has ever cleaned the power valves. They are alot of money to replace/repair. Lastly in 02 the shocks were valved really stiff. Unless you are over 250 Ibs you will hate the ride quailty. Ask the owner if they ever installed the updated shock kit that was available from Yamaha. If the sled has the orginal stiff 02 shocks you will hate it. In 03's the er models came with the soft shocks and the non er's came with the stiffer ones.
Unless you are getting this sled really cheap I would look for an 03. Alot less issue's. Other then that they are great sleds and amazing on fuel. The ride is a bit harsh and you might want to consider a different rear suspension. I gave up on mine and installed a zx2.
Well good luck
Steve
Well the 02 vipers had several issue's. The fist major issue is the water pumps tend to blow the mechanicial seal on them and leak coolant all over the belly pan. I would check under-neath the engine with a trouble light and make sure it is dry. Do this after running the sled for a few minutes. This issue seems to only effect 02's and a few 03's. I have an 03 viper with 7200 miles and haven't had any issue's with the water pump.
Second issue is only with the 02's. They used a thinner heat exchanger in 02. Therefore you will need to add an rear heat exchanger to avoid over heating issue's. The last issue with the 02's is there was a recall on the routing of the oil line. Make sure this was updated, or you could be in for major trouble. Also alot of 02 vipers had issues with the wiring rubbing near the front of the sled, mostly on the clamps at the harness joints. Some cases the wiring would rub right through and cause shorts. Real headache to solve. So I would check all of the wiring and make sure it is okay. In 03 they packed and wrapped the wires better to prevent issue's.
Last thing I would check is to take off the cover on the power valve servo motor and make sure they work properly and the cables aren't broken or pulled through. Ask the owner if he or the dealer has ever cleaned the power valves. They are alot of money to replace/repair. Lastly in 02 the shocks were valved really stiff. Unless you are over 250 Ibs you will hate the ride quailty. Ask the owner if they ever installed the updated shock kit that was available from Yamaha. If the sled has the orginal stiff 02 shocks you will hate it. In 03's the er models came with the soft shocks and the non er's came with the stiffer ones.
Unless you are getting this sled really cheap I would look for an 03. Alot less issue's. Other then that they are great sleds and amazing on fuel. The ride is a bit harsh and you might want to consider a different rear suspension. I gave up on mine and installed a zx2.
Well good luck
Steve
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