Hi All,

new to the forum, and looking for a little feedback. Was out 2 weekends ago in a snow storm playing in the snow. The day after the storm we were out again, and the snow was fairly deep. I was going 20km plus most of the ride, but obviously got it stuck a few times. Late in the ride I thought I could smell my belt, we let it cool down before continuing.  I just about got my machine out of the woods when it seemed like the belt let go.

I took the machine into the dealer, and they claim the CVT overheaded and pretty much melted everything in the clutch. I am shocked, as I wasn't running at low speeds, I wasn't plowing snow, and only smelt the belt once before it let go.

My machine was new in 2021, and have about 1500k on it. I know they say warranty for 90 days, but also say a 4 year limited motor and transmission warranty. It just feels like something failed in the clutch to create that heat over me running in the powder.

Should note it's a Cforce 800.

Anyone have a similar experience?  I have a buddy with a can am that says they would cover a blown clutch this early in the life of the bike, but I am going to have a big bill when this is fixed.

Thoughts?


Thanks,

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Couple of things- 1, running in snow, sand, mud or anything that tires fight to get through is hard on everything especially CVTs and gas milage..lol. 2,That of course makes a lot of extra heat...heat you may not be aware of unless you install a CVT temp sensor..which I highly recommend. Above 200-220F the belts can start slipping which causes not only wear on the sheaves and belt glazing..but even more heat. 3, And CFM's plastic slide flyweights are known to melt with only slightly above average heat, let alone the almost glowing heat your primary may have got.

Without a temp sensor you would have had no idea things were getting overheated until the belt lets go. Once they slip at all, they are gone and must be replaced so if you ever smell it again, stop, put it in neutral and tach it up to pump some cooling air through it for a bit, then head back to the barn carefully. I would push to get the new primary on warranty as there were some issues and offer to pay for the belt. JMO

Who would sell a cvt temp sensor and is it hard to install

At 12mph (20kmh) you should be in low gear.

Belts can be tore up in minutes under the wrong riding conditions.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Who would sell a cvt temp sensor and is it hard to install

There are several types. IRs that take the temperature of the belt itself...a bit expensive for me, then there are air temp sensors that monitor the air temperature of the discharged air. This is what I have. There are a few out there and Google can help you find them but as I have positive past experience with Trail Teck, I went with their CVT temp gauge system. Not expensive at all and easy as cake to install. Here's a link and an install video on a RzR. Basically the same for all installs.

https://www.trailtech.net/en-us/shop/accessories/digital-gauges/tto-mini-gauge/tto-temperature/surface-tto-temperature-black-cvt-belt-sensor-m6x1/?pfm=Browse

https://youtu.be/-89KrNIPJrU

Tks

Great info.  No issues, but just ordered one on Amazon as I plan on lifting, 28's and reclocking soon