So I'm very inexperienced with this stuff, so bare with me. I just did an oil change on my 2018 ZForce 500 (198 kms on it) trying to be extra good to it. I went to check the air filter, and opened what I THOUGHT was the air box, but to my surprise found no filter. Can you guys confirm I'm looking at the airbox? LOL. What is this? All I did was remove the outer case with 2 bolts and then the inner case with those spring clips.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EpJtCIhGbv9DHoAu0hGJg6S3AAwfZAQe

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

That my friend is an airbox...without an air filter. If it was run very much without it...the engine is now toast. This is the second one I have seen with no filter at all.

That my friend is an airbox...without an air filter. If it was run very much without it...the engine is now toast. This is the second one I have seen with no filter at all.

About 200 Kms of mud, sand and water, decently hard.  Any suggestions on what to do? Is this a CFMoto fault or dealership? I feel like there should be minimal chance I am to blame for anything as I am inspecting and servicing early here.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

That my friend is an airbox...without an air filter. If it was run very much without it...the engine is now toast. This is the second one I have seen with no filter at all.

About 200 Kms of mud, sand and water, decently hard.  Any suggestions on what to do? Is this a CFMoto fault or dealership? I feel like there should be minimal chance I am to blame for anything as I am inspecting and servicing early here.

Call the dealer. It is not your fault. 

  So pathetic 

Some Cdn models have been delivered with the filter loose & needs to be installed by the dealer. Some times the filter is installed & needs to be checked by the dealer it is oiled.

Regardless the PDI is clear the dealer is to install &/or check.

This is an area where we separate a product such as BRP vs CFMOTO. BRP would not take the chance a dealer would not follow PDI, CFMOTO & CMI has placed faith the dealer will follow procedure.

My suggestion is that you contact CMI & your dealer via email with photo's, not one or the other.

So pathetic 

Some Cdn models have been delivered with the filter loose & needs to be installed by the dealer. Some times the filter is installed & needs to be checked by the dealer it is oiled.

Regardless the PDI is clear the dealer is to install &/or check.

This is an area where we separate a product such as BRP vs CFMOTO. BRP would not take the chance a dealer would not follow PDI, CFMOTO & CMI has placed faith the dealer will follow procedure.

My suggestion is that you contact CMI & your dealer via email with photo's, not one or the other.

On top of that, I paid an extra $200 for PDI lol.

I bought 2x 2018 Zforce 500s back to back. The first one (this one) from Dealer A, whom I did not like doing business with. That one came with the cargo netting and door netting in a box along with the manual. I got my second one from Dealer B because the sales person was much more personable and was willing to work with me a bit more. That unit came fully assembled with the cargo netting, door netting, AND an air filter. I would like dealer B to handle the issue with CFMoto if possible because I do not trust dealer A, even more at this point. I've already left my info with CFMoto regardless.

My biggest issue is that I was already unsure about reliability and longevity with CFMoto because they are still relatively unknown to me (among other reasons). I was willing to give them a shot, primarily because I planned on treating it good (hence the early maintenance). Now with this, I don't trust it. There was clearly dirt and mud in the airbox. I noticed that the engine has a small stutter compared to my other identical unit as well, when idling.

I use my machines ice fishing, plowing, trail riding in deep woods, etc, and I need to be able to rely on it. I really hope there are some options on the table.

That is a failure on CFM side for not sending it with an air filter, but it is also a failure on the dealer side for not doing a PDI correctly. My experience with my dealer and CFmoto tells me (only in my experience) that they are going to put an air filter on it and send you on your way and say its fine there's nothing wrong with it and won't do anything beyond that unless the engine blows within your warranty period. When that happens I would at least try and get them to acknowledge a warranty extension for the engine, which they will also not likely do. But talk to your dealer hopefully you have a better one than I do!

On top of that, I paid an extra $200 for PDI lol.

This is a problem, a proper PDI on a ZFORCE is a full day so you did not pay enough. The second problem related to the first you need a Tech involved with the PDI. I'm speaking of a experienced tech that is watching for problems & preventing them from becoming a problem.

The $200.00 PDI this is what you got.......that's probably not what you wanted to hear. When you grind, chisel & chew on the dealer corners get cut.

My experience with my dealer and CFmoto tells me (only in my experience) that they are going to put an air filter on it and send you on your way and say its fine there's nothing wrong with it and won't do anything beyond that unless the engine blows within your warranty period.

My suggestion, if the oil drained is still around & it really should be. The first break in service you are concerned about the condition of oil & filter you should be looking @ it closely.......just like the diff's. BTW that oil is suppose changed @ break in as well.

Leak down & compression tests with the results recorded will tell you if there is damage. If the results are good this would give some confidence in reliability & durability.

On top of that, I paid an extra $200 for PDI lol.

This is a problem, a proper PDI on a ZFORCE is a full day so you did not pay enough. The second problem related to the first you need a Tech involved with the PDI. I'm speaking of a experienced tech that is watching for problems & preventing them from becoming a problem.

The $200.00 PDI this is what you got.......that's probably not what you wanted to hear. When you grind, chisel & chew on the dealer corners get cut.

Well I disagree with that, every machine should be PDIed before leaving the lot and typically is included in the cost of the machine to the dealer. For cars GM at least the dealer gets paid by the manufacturer to PDI a car there should never be an instance that any vehicle leaves the lot without a PDI.  It is not customer responsibility to make sure a brand new machine/vehicle was shipped with all its parts and should not be a charge to the customer.

REDRIDER, the power sports industry is not GM. I'm not aware of a manufacturer in the power sport biz that reimburses the dealer for PDI. The PS dealers that try to include PDI in the sticker price will generally miss sales because the buyer shops like it's a golf score   

I agree ever unit must be PDI's by the dealer, written into dealer agreements. In this case it's a good thing because it places responsibility of the missed air filter on the selling dealer.

I'm not siding with the dealer I'm only trying to explain why it happens. Most likely a $200.00 PDI had some very inexperienced person pulling the thing out of the crate & assembling. You don't get away with this & CFMOTO or you see the result.

BRP would probably assume this same person would be doing the PDI on their unit. Maybe they have accounted for this & it's a reflection of the price difference?  It comes out of box perfect most ever time.

It's a shitty deal all the way around & it will land on the dealer. Other factor's contribute to why it happened including the consumer & the manufacturer.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Well..in any case..someone should loose their job for leaving it off..either at the factory or the dealership. JMO.

REDRIDER, the power sports industry is not GM. I'm not aware of a manufacturer in the power sport biz that reimburses the dealer for PDI. The PS dealers that try to include PDI in the sticker price will generally miss sales because the buyer shops like it's a golf score   

I agree ever unit must be PDI's by the dealer, written into dealer agreements. In this case it's a good thing because it places responsibility of the missed air filter on the selling dealer.

I'm not siding with the dealer I'm only trying to explain why it happens. Most likely a $200.00 PDI had some very inexperienced person pulling the thing out of the crate & assembling. You don't get away with this & CFMOTO or you see the result.

BRP would probably assume this same person would be doing the PDI on their unit. Maybe they have accounted for this & it's a reflection of the price difference?  It comes out of box perfect most ever time.

It's a shitty deal all the way around & it will land on the dealer. Other factor's contribute to why it happened including the consumer & the manufacturer.

Well that is probably why car manufacturers pay dealers to PDI so you don't end up doing the "well who's fault is it". Didn't get shipped with a filter, sounds like CFmoto's fault. Now are they going to say well you didn't inspect it before it left the shop? Well If I wasn't getting reimbursed in some way for doing PDI's from the manufacturer I would ask them why would I? I imagine it has to be written into the franchise agreement somewhere about pre delivery inspections it just leaves too much open to lawsuits there.