I've got an 89 Ovation and it seems to top out at 35-40mph. I know it's only a 340 but it seems like it should go faster. Suggestions? Maybe secondary isn't opening? also, I get a humming noise on packed trails that goes away in powder. Any Ideas?
What have you checked so far?
I have the chaincase opened up to check for slop or binding, things look good in there. New to wrenching on sleds, so I really don't know about clutches. how do I check the secondary?
sandmaster
New member
wow ovation i have tops out about 65-70 , would check belt clutch first or possable running on one cylinder ? need more info
Make a mark with a permanent marker on your clutch faces from the center outward and then run the sled a while. The marks will be rubbed dim or gone altogether where the belt rode. This will tell you how high in the primary and low in the secondary the belt is going.
Check motor mounts and clutch alignment.
Check for track restrictions (rotate it).
Check hyfax and idler wheel bearings.
Check driveshaft bearings.
more to come if this doesn't find it . . .
Check motor mounts and clutch alignment.
Check for track restrictions (rotate it).
Check hyfax and idler wheel bearings.
Check driveshaft bearings.
more to come if this doesn't find it . . .
Start looking for a friend that is more experienced with sleds to help eliminate some of the basic/obvious things. There are a lot of things that will cause a sled to run poorly and you can chase your tail in circles for a long time and miss something very basic/obvious to someone with more experience working on sleds.
Belts, clutching, running or intermittent running on one cylinder,frozen idlerwheels or other driveline bearings,dirty carb,plugged exhaust(dang mice),too tall of a windsheild(jk), etc.
The humming is probably just common track noise, the fresh snow will dampen the sound and give better slide lube.
Good luck, Sno
Belts, clutching, running or intermittent running on one cylinder,frozen idlerwheels or other driveline bearings,dirty carb,plugged exhaust(dang mice),too tall of a windsheild(jk), etc.
The humming is probably just common track noise, the fresh snow will dampen the sound and give better slide lube.
Good luck, Sno
I know I had alot of "mouse house" blow out of the silencer on my ovation...
all of what ding says is a good starting point. i would think it would at least need a new primary clutch spring as they get weak over time and can drive you nuts looking for it, been there dun that.
Thanks for the starting points guys. I will Get started soon.
I have the chaincase open and don't see anything broken or worn in there. Can I use 85w gear oil to put it back together to check the clutches? When I lift the rear of the sled off the ground how hard should it be to turn the track? What is the best way to make sure the exhaust is clear? compressed air?
well, at the moment it looks like the secondary is stuck.
85w is fine in the chain case. depending on track tension, it should be fairly stiff to turn if all wheel bearings are good.
can you push the belt down into the secondary? spring may be set stiff.
can you push the belt down into the secondary? spring may be set stiff.
Okay, so nevermind about the secondary, seems to be working ok now. The spring is pretty stiff, changing a belt with cold hands is definitely gonna suck. Bearings in the idler/bogey wheels seem fine; ie they spin freely.
Last edited: