On Nov. 15/01 I purchased an '02 Mxz800x from the closest dealership to my city of 56,000. This dealership is 3 hours
south of me which makes it a bit of a bother to get any work done. Anyway. Due to my work schedule I was not able to ride it
'till after Christmas at which time myself and a freind of mine went out for a couple of hrs ride as per my dealerships instructions
to aid in a proper break-in of the engine. I was riding on the river, approx800 ft sea level, sunny with temps around -18C. My
speed was about 90km/hr at about 700rpm and I maintained that speed for about a klik or so to remain behind my buddy. The
first item I had installed on the unit was an engine water temp guage( which should be standard on these machines by the way)
and it was showing the temp it normal operating range. It still had the first tank of mixed gas and I have to say, other than the
useless windsheild and needing more track to keep up with the new ski's in the corners, I was very impressed with the machine.
Until it began its death throes. Once it came to a stop I said a prayer because in '97 I purchased a new Formula 583 which
seized under almost the same conditions at almost the same location. At that time we had a local dealership and I immediately
traded it for a new '97 Mach 1. It turns out that the 583 had some sort of carb recall to correct a problem. The Mach1? It was
a bonus I purchased the B.E.S.T. program because the engine was rebuilt once and 3 times new engines dropped in due to
seizures! I always run high grade fuel and put extra oil in my gas to aid lubrication. My oil of choice is Ski-Doo's synthetic. The
2nd drop in engine was actually meant for my buddys '97 Grand Touring but he was going on vacation and told the shop they
could put it in mine as there was a wait time for engines. That engine made it out of the shop about 7kms 'til it sezed on the
mechanic riding it. I do not have those units serial #'s here but can get them for you if needed to verify this. I keep all receipts
and the Mach cost, to you and me, $30,082 in less than 2 yrs to operate, not including fuel or oil. Not to mention the time down
or aggevation it caused.
Back to today. Once we towed the machine back I carried it for its 3 drive to the dealership were we pulled off the y-pipe
and found the mag side piston destoyed as well as the cylinder. It was also at this time I was informed of another "carb recall"!
The dealersip offered me a coice of 3 machines as a 'loaner'. An 800Adreniline, a Tundra and a Formula 380S. Not trusting the
800 and wanting to ride with my 12 yr old son I chose the S.
I live in northern Alberta where temps can drop rapidly to -35 or -40 from -20 in an hour or so. These machines can travel in
10 minutes further than I care to walk or can walk in those temps. Espically if my son is with me. I have lately been going on
websites and found numerous complaints about this 800. Far more than would warrent it being picked "Snowmobile of the
Year". Most complaints regard fuel consumption and the finding of people with egt probes that at midrange the unit tends to run
hot. Very hot. Until it goes to wide open throttle were it cools down. Numerous fixes have been suggested ranging fom
re-jetting to installing washers under the e-clip. After spending $14,000 for this machine I do not want to be trying to fix your
problem. As I stated before it gets very cold here in a hurry and I definitley do not want to try and survive out in the bush. Nor
do I want to have to run at WOT when riding with some guys or my 12 yr old son.
Unless you can fix this problem or tell me what happened to it I do not want it back. This will be the third product I have
purchased from your company that has caused me nothing but greif from the start. It is at Mellots R.V. in Grassland Dealer #
69-1953 were I think they are installing a piston and cylinder. A new engine would have been nice but an answer to what
happened even better. As I said I do not want it back if I cannot trust it. Riding is one thing but a person can get in serious
trouble or harm if it fails when least expected to. And you do not expect a machine to fail at 150kms. The Serial number is
2BPS217262V000312 Eng # M5541441. This letter will be posted on Snowmobileworld.com as well as what your timely
response will be. I feel I owe this to whoever else bought one of your products and are feeling the same frustrations I am.
Thank-you
Robert Chafe