My Viper deal gone bad.....

Nicko

Nicko

Argentino Loco
Joined
Aug 18, 2005
Messages
1,364
Age
46
Location
Mound, Minnesota
Hi guys, I am so mad not sure where to start. This past summer I bought an 03 Mountain Viper from a guy in the UP, I did not test rode it of course. I did hear it run and look it over and all looked fine......Little did I know....

1st one of the pipes was cracked, oh well sen it to the welder and now are being ceramic coated. No biggie. Altought the previous owner said that they where good....

2nd and my biggest concern, I found some coolant puddles on my floor, it only happend after I pick up the back of the sled a few feet off the ground to replace a busted wheel on the skid, So I tought maybe to much on it or aomething, Well yesterday after pulling out the valves for cleaning I looked closer with a flashlight a found that the base gasket (where cylinder and cranck meet) had coolant marks and drips in more than one spot I think..... :o| :o| :o| ....The previous owner before I bought stated that one jug was replaced because of bad gas.....The dealer did the job...With new rings and pistons I heard.

I am so mad, I know I can work on it, just never did it and don't want to mess it up....It looks like there is black permantex or silicone for sealent on that base gasket but I tought it was going to be a paper gasket or something like it......

What to do guys here.....? Please help out.....

Where do I start...??????? Drain it, pull the head, jugs, clean and scrape base seal, inspect rings, pistons jugs, etc. install new base gasket....put back jugs, Install new head gasket (or not...?) put head....torque all of them and go.....??????? I do have all 4 manuals for this thing.....

Sorry for the long post but don't feel like screwing this sled before the snow flies....But I don't think I can run it as is......Altought I bought it "AS IS" :o|

And I really don' trust any dealer or shop to do it, since you never know if they did it right or not.....


Thanks......

Nick
 
I would pull it all apart and inspect all the parts. Check the cylinders and cases for cracks. If it ran and sounded good then your pistons & rings should be fine. But if your leaking coolant then the guy who put it back together didn't use the correct sealant or gaskets, or possibly didn't torque the bolts right. Get yourself a good torque wrench if you plan on doing it yourself and your manuals should give you all the torque specs for everything. If you don't think you want to get into it, my partner and I have a small repair shop on Lake Mille Lacs and would be happy to look into it for ya. Good Luck
 
Sorry to hear about the issues! Not the end of the world though. The coolant may look like its coming from the base gasket but it could be dripping or migrating from somewhere else. The SRXs + Vipers have a metal base gasket that has a black paint like coating on it. The Viper also has a metal shim style head gasket as well. The coolant could be leaking from the head gasket, waterpump cover or drain bolt, water pump shaft seal, base gaskets, or any one of the hose connections. You may want to check all hose connections for tightness, check the torque on the cylinder head with a good torque wrench DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! Clean everything up, put the pipes on, top up the antifreeze, then start it up + let it come right up to temp on the stand. After this shut it down and check for leaks, it should be obvious if you have a major leak. If its leaking you have to get it fixed and if you are not proficient at this take it to a reputable dealer or repair shop and get it fixed properly.
JMO
 
groth1986 said:
I would pull it all apart and inspect all the parts. Check the cylinders and cases for cracks. If it ran and sounded good then your pistons & rings should be fine. But if your leaking coolant then the guy who put it back together didn't use the correct sealant or gaskets, or possibly didn't torque the bolts right. Get yourself a good torque wrench if you plan on doing it yourself and your manuals should give you all the torque specs for everything. If you don't think you want to get into it, my partner and I have a small repair shop on Lake Mille Lacs and would be happy to look into it for ya. Good Luck
Click to expand...


Send me your number and I will call you sometime this week......Thanks
 
Like sideshow said, start by simply re-torquing everything. Might solve the problem. Otherwise pop it apart and put new gaskets in it. If you have all the manuals to walk you threw it there is nothing to be afraid of. Pretty simple motor really. Couple hours you could knock it down replace the gaskets and have it running again. I'd start with checking the fasteners as that's quick and easy. Plus it gives you an excuse to buy a tool if you don't already have a torque wrench. Everyone likes to go buy a tool.
 
Yes I tought about the re torque all again....and yes I will buy the tool, I might have to get a six pack also...to wash all the bad words from hitting my finbgers and knuckels ( not sure about that spelling ). Thanks guys I feel much better.....

Nick
 
A whole case is what the guy that did the job on this sled had, because I just can't believe it.......

I'm going to pull the carbs and inspect all good, but I see some black silicone coming out that base gasket....Will see....

Nick
 
I did Moose head before, but I like more "la fin du monde" or " tries pistoles" that will get my blood pumping...... ;)!
 
Sorry about the issues your having with this sled Nicko!!!!!!!

But man, you've gotta get this sled fixed up and we've got to hit some powder up the North Shore this winter!!!!!!

Don't lose faith in her. No used sled is perfect. Most new ones aren't either. I bet a new head or base gasket will solve your issues.

When I first installed my Peak Head I had coolant spraying all over my engine compartment every time I fired her up. Boy, was I pissed off. I thought I had everything installed right, but she was leaking coolant from multiple locations....... I was in a tizzy big time.

But I bought a whole brand new set of O-rings and a new head gasket, installed them, and not a drop of coolant has leaked out of her engine since.....

Point is try new gaskets. What is a headache today will be solved when you're carving through powder on that sled once she's all fixed up.

Mike
 
Nicko said:
A whole case is what the guy that did the job on this sled had, because I just can't believe it.......

I'm going to pull the carbs and inspect all good, but I see some black silicone coming out that base gasket....Will see....

Nick
Click to expand...

shouldn't have any type of sealant on the base gasket. there is none needed, as the gasket already comes w/raised ribs to create the seal when the cylinders get torqued down.
 
Sorry guys my bad, the sealent I was looking is on the cases.....Never mind I was thinking out loud when I wrote the thread....

But I think I found where the leak is....I run my hand under the water pump cover and there was a good amount of coolant in it......I guess is time to tear on that cover first.....Any tips on this.....?

Thanks

Nick
 
Nicko said:
Sorry guys my bad, the sealent I was looking is on the cases.....Never mind I was thinking out loud when I wrote the thread....

But I think I found where the leak is....I run my hand under the water pump cover and there was a good amount of coolant in it......I guess is time to tear on that cover first.....Any tips on this.....?

Thanks

Nick
Click to expand...
First check the the hose fitting and hose for looseness or cracked hose. Then check the "Drain" bolt[on the upper right its marked on the cover]take it out and ensure it has a copper washer on it, if its OK take the whole cover off and check that the O ring is not pinched. If all that is OK it could be the seal for the water pump shaft, it will leak from a tiny drain hole on the block just below the hose fitting...thats a bit of a job to fix.
 
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That sucks Nicko, was hoping to get a good report on your sled this winter. My first thought was the water pump as well, hopefully that isn't it and the fix is easier than changing the pump. Sounds like you have some help close by which is always nice, good luck. TrJ
 
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