Hi guys, new to forums here. I have been reading a lot here and you all have a wealth of knowledge and provide a lot of great info. I'm looking for a little help/guidance in looking to purchase a 2002 Viper. Sled has 1800 miles great physical shape (I'm told), guy is asking $2200 and I am going to look at it in a week (first time the guy is available).
Runs fine, but only idles on half choke the guys says. He thinks good carb cleaning is all it is. Could be. I was going to bring some ether/starting fluid to check the crank seals and a compression tester to see where we are at on the top end, but have been reading about failed crank bearings at the middle cylinders that seem to plague the vipers. Should I stay away from this sled? Freaking out over nothing? Seems like a Viper is the trail sled I would want (looks like a good fit for my needs), but I don't want a lot of down time. I usually fix my own stuff, but am not looking for another project. I have read the thread on cleaning the carbs on this and I would be comfortable doing something like that.
Any comments / suggestions / words of advice / other things I should check for? This is a 2002 non er model (no electric start or reverse). I understand nobody has a crystal ball here, but with all the knowledgeable responses I have seen on these forums, I thought I would see what you guys could offer for advice. Thanks in advance for your help!
Runs fine, but only idles on half choke the guys says. He thinks good carb cleaning is all it is. Could be. I was going to bring some ether/starting fluid to check the crank seals and a compression tester to see where we are at on the top end, but have been reading about failed crank bearings at the middle cylinders that seem to plague the vipers. Should I stay away from this sled? Freaking out over nothing? Seems like a Viper is the trail sled I would want (looks like a good fit for my needs), but I don't want a lot of down time. I usually fix my own stuff, but am not looking for another project. I have read the thread on cleaning the carbs on this and I would be comfortable doing something like that.
Any comments / suggestions / words of advice / other things I should check for? This is a 2002 non er model (no electric start or reverse). I understand nobody has a crystal ball here, but with all the knowledgeable responses I have seen on these forums, I thought I would see what you guys could offer for advice. Thanks in advance for your help!
davidgboy
New member
sure sounds like the carbs. ,pilot jets clog up fairly easily. with those miles hard to believe the crank seals are bad. biggest possible issue would be how was it stored. u will have to see what he says about that and take his word. always a gamble with buying used stuff. i would not bother trying to spray starting fluid on mag. side. cant really get it in there well anyways rotor shields it too much. chances seals are bad is small. make sure it does not make any strange noises. turn the clutch by hand and make sure it turns easily(minus resistance from compression) and does not make unusual noises. these sleds are good machines. it is mostly a matter of how well they are treated. u will have to make the call.
super1c
Super Moderator
Great sled love mine. Sounds like you have a handle on the checking it out thing. It is bullet proof with a few adjustments like needles and maybe a opticool head gasket. And that is a good price for the the condition it sounds. Good luck
After owning one now with 9300 miles on it, I would buy another if it looks good. Mine has no major issues. And an awesome support site here.
Ya great sled it could also be water in the carbs frozen. mine did the same thing till i thawed it out in a garage and ran a tank with heat in it. See if he has fixed the fuel pump issue. like putting spacers under it or a rubber separater. otherwise it will freeze if you leave your sled outside. You can get a better deal than that trust me. low ball him at 1500 and work your way up. don't show how excited you are about it and don't say to much when your going over it. when your done going over it mention anything you don't like about it anything at all or even if you notice scratches and stuff. I just scored my 02 for $100 plus a $550 gun. 2100 miles. I had the fuel pump issue and the fix they have in the tech section works. Hope you score a good sled. Make sure you check the skid and shocks out thoroughly check for cracks in the front w arm very common from what i here with the pro-action. and if it has studs make sure to try and get a look at the front heat exchanger and make sure its not chewed up. I'm just super nit picky after i got it handed to me on another sled i bought.
Thanks for the great answers guys! You are putting my mind more at ease / backing me away from the ledge. super1c - love the Yukon Cornelius avatar!
davidgboy
New member
klipper said:
yup yukon is a great guy. i hope he found his fortune. silver or gold. anyone who could get "bumbles" to put a star on the christmas tree is a hero of mine.
Devilin AblueDress!
New member
X2 on every thing above. Being as we havea minuim wait of 6 months till any chance of real snow you could yank motor. The viper guys could say for sure but I think you could flip it upside down and pull bottom half off and get a look at crank. Maybe head any problems off at the pass. For the cost of crank seals and yamabond and your time I think it would be worth a look see. That way if theres any corrosion from poor storage you could clean it up before it takes crank bearings out.
Love my vipers! And I agree with all the above. I also think odds are the seals are fine, and the carbs are your problem. I think I would ask him when he last went through the carbs and when he last filled the gas tank. Old gas is bad especially these days. And if he looks at you funny when asking about the carbs, you already have your answer! Then if you do decide to buy it I would first go though the carbs and try the machine again. It may be that simple and imo it's best to start with the simple things and work up.
Last year a friend of mine was having almost the same problem with a doo. I literally reached in and adjusted his idle to around 1600 rpm (I was just guessing) and the thing was back on track. His pride was bruised... but I'm just saying that sometimes it's that simple.
Either way best of luck and there's a great support network here if you ever need it.
Last year a friend of mine was having almost the same problem with a doo. I literally reached in and adjusted his idle to around 1600 rpm (I was just guessing) and the thing was back on track. His pride was bruised... but I'm just saying that sometimes it's that simple.
Either way best of luck and there's a great support network here if you ever need it.
Hi all,
Just wanted to say thanks again for all the great help and info on this site. I did end up buying the Viper in my original post. I gotta admit a big part of my decision was how much info and help was available on this board.
I just finished the carbs, cleaned the pilots (which were all completely clogged), raised the needles and the thing idles perfect. Shimmed the fuel pump while I had everything off.
Ended up getting the sled for $2000 - I think a fair deal for Viper with 1800 miles on it.
Now on the the water pump mech seal replacement!! Hope that goes as well. I'm going to try and do it with the engine in the sled. Anyone ever use a shaft-in type puller to remove the seal instead of crushing the seal to remove it?
Something like this?
Thanks again guys!
Just wanted to say thanks again for all the great help and info on this site. I did end up buying the Viper in my original post. I gotta admit a big part of my decision was how much info and help was available on this board.
I just finished the carbs, cleaned the pilots (which were all completely clogged), raised the needles and the thing idles perfect. Shimmed the fuel pump while I had everything off.
Ended up getting the sled for $2000 - I think a fair deal for Viper with 1800 miles on it.
Now on the the water pump mech seal replacement!! Hope that goes as well. I'm going to try and do it with the engine in the sled. Anyone ever use a shaft-in type puller to remove the seal instead of crushing the seal to remove it?
Something like this?
Thanks again guys!