My ZForce 500 now always gives out a high pitched squeal for a few seconds when I first start it up. The weather here in Eastern Canada is getting colder -10C overnight. Any thoughts anyone? Thanks  Wayne

Sounds like a power saw when the pull start does not release

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Probably the pilot or support bearing for the primary in the cover. Unless the 500s don't use one. If the 500s don't use a wet clutch then the belt's deflection may be slightly tight.

The z500 has a cvtech drive clutch (dry clutch)  I believe with just a tension bearing for the belt to ride on,  no engine brake assist  You will want to check starter, belt or  clutch for problems. We has seen many screaming starters, I'm leaning to this being your problem, I have also seen many key switches staying ingaged and taking out the starter. Short video will get you a better answer

Wayne Gulliver Could you post a video  with audio on that? So we can hear the sound :-) It might also be your exshaust pipe. When it is cold then it might contract and might make just a bit gap so that exshaust escapes and when it gets warm (just after three minutes may be) then it will stop making that sound. I live in Northern Norway and we have temperature down to -12*C and I must admit that I never had this issue on my Cforce 550.
As far as I now know the 550/500HO has no wet clutch but they do have Engine brake which I say has "a lot better braking power than Can ams"
Anyways let us hear the sound and am sure there are lot of good guys here who may help you :-) :-) 👍 👍

K.

Wayne Gulliver Could you post a video  with audio on that? So we can hear the sound :-) It might also be your exshaust pipe. When it is cold then it might contract and might make just a bit gap so that exshaust escapes and when it gets warm (just after three minutes may be) then it will stop making that sound. I live in Northern Norway and we have temperature down to -12*C and I must admit that I never had this issue on my Cforce 550.
As far as I now know the 550/500HO has no wet clutch but they do have Engine brake which I say has "a lot better braking power than Can ams"
Anyways let us hear the sound and am sure there are lot of good guys here who may help you :-) :-) 👍 👍

K.

My dealer thinks it is a dry starter that needs grease. They just did that for me so I am not sure if this works?

Mine does the same thing.  I have investigated it and its just the starter.  It has done it for well over a year now and not gotten any worse or better.  I have resolved myself to the fact at some point I will need a new starter and that is just how it will be.  Not worth pulling it apart as it works just fine for now.  FYI a starter for a z800 is $124 LOL.  If it was a part external to the starter it would make noise while its running but its just a bushing or bearing in the starter.