View Full Version : Belt problem - what would cause this?
Oregongirl
02-17-09, 10:00 AM
The missing tabs are on the OUTSIDE of the belt. 3 rides on the belt. 04 800 Escape.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z164/smrainsberry/Polaris%20Belt/DSC02976.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z164/smrainsberry/Polaris%20Belt/DSC02977.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z164/smrainsberry/Polaris%20Belt/DSC02978.jpg
zookiracer
02-17-09, 12:11 PM
You only have three rides on it, but is it an old belt thats been in your spair holder? If it's brand new from the dealer I'd take it back for an exchange because it looks like it's delaminating, Here at our work we produce some belting mat. and if it shows signs of delamination we don't even send it out. The belt will continue to seperate until it fails. It should be covered. But if it's been in your belt holder and had a sharp bend in it at the point it seperated it is prabably been bent past it's normal limit and fatigued. I try to store my belts so there is no sharp radius in them- not sure if it maters since there reinforced but it maked me feel better.
Oregongirl
02-17-09, 12:37 PM
You only have three rides on it, but is it an old belt thats been in your spair holder? If it's brand new from the dealer I'd take it back for an exchange because it looks like it's delaminating, Here at our work we produce some belting mat. and if it shows signs of delamination we don't even send it out. The belt will continue to seperate until it fails. It should be covered. But if it's been in your belt holder and had a sharp bend in it at the point it seperated it is prabably been bent past it's normal limit and fatigued. I try to store my belts so there is no sharp radius in them- not sure if it maters since there reinforced but it maked me feel better.
Interesting...hadn't even considered the damage being from the belt holder!!
Zukiracer has it pegged, but just for GP make sure your secondary clutch isn't hanging up, if it sticks or hangs it puts tremendous squeeze side pressure and stretch force, I have had a belt explode into 1 inch chunks and blow out the belly pan because of that. All it takes is a little debris or belt dust. If those missing chunks are 180 from each other..it might void your warranty.
Oregongirl
02-17-09, 03:08 PM
Hmmmmm.....the belt I took off before this one was stretched out and I smelled burning rubber before we replaced it. UGH! I guess we better thoroughly examine my secondary, uh? :confused:
foxyrmk
02-18-09, 10:31 AM
Susie was this the belt up at Halfway??
Oregongirl
02-18-09, 04:43 PM
The pictures are of the belt that I put on at Fish Lake that Saturday. I only had the rest of that day and then two more rides on it before I had to replace it. I'm working with my dealer to see about warranting it.
Hi There;
Just a thought....when you install a new belt it is important to ride easy for the first 10 -15 miles. This gives the belt a chance to break in to your machine. Also it would not hurt to check both your clutches for any alignment or mechanical issues as stated before. You most likely would have noticed it there was a problem with your clutches. (look for any tree bark or misc. snowmobile parts in the clutches: rolleyes:)
I have had brand new belts explode in the first mile of use. It's not very common however sometimes a bad one gets out of the factory. Turn on the charm and talk to you dealer. I will bet they will work with you.
All the Arctic cat belts say to keep speed below 50 mph for first 20 miles. It allows the fibers to stretch and reach maximum strength.
Oregongirl
03-10-09, 10:22 AM
Thanks guys! I found part of the missing piece in the bottom of my belly pan. I provided both pieces to my dealer and he gave me a new belt. :)
Oregongirl
03-10-09, 01:02 PM
Portland Polaris - just in case your interested.
zookiracer
03-10-09, 01:34 PM
While it does sound like a great dealer, I noticed you live in Creswell and went to Portland to the dealer??? Have you tried Greg Coen motorsports? I've had great interactions with them and he has in stock almost everything I've been wanting to check out. Also Greg is an avid sledder and has been beating magazine prices on most every item I've compared. Just thought I'd throw that out there for ya
While it does sound like a great dealer, I noticed you live in Creswell and went to Portland to the dealer??? Have you tried Greg Coen motorsports? I've had great interactions with them and he has in stock almost everything I've been wanting to check out. Also Greg is an avid sledder and has been beating magazine prices on most every item I've compared. Just thought I'd throw that out there for ya
Susie and I are both good friends with Greg and purchase from him fairly regularly. On some things, Portland Polaris can help us out for a little better price. Nothing against Greg at all.
zookiracer
03-10-09, 08:29 PM
Sound good, BTW I just used the posting to let some others know that I've been really impressed with Greg and being the new Polaris dealer i figured there might be some people that still didn't know the Eugene/Springfield area had a good Polaris dealer now.......I even got a new card for our local SAWS rep from his counter. Thanks OregonGirl and Tedd!
Another BTW, how did the secondary look? a little bind?
Both clutches look great, I found nothing wrong with either one. Turns out that this type of failure on these belts is not uncommon.
We went in and were talking to Greg and his wife tonight about riding this weekend, hopefully they will be joining us at Hoodoo.