2018 Ski-Doo Summit/Freeride Driveline Updates and 2017 Belt Durability Improvements

[BRPcare]

Hey Everyone,

As you may recall, for 2018 BRP announced changes to Ski-Doo REV Gen4 snowmobiles proven to increase drive belt durability – these are recapped here:
- New gearing (Summit and Freeride)
- New belt
- Better cooling in CVT compartment - New Clutch cover with improved flow
- Revised PTO and MAG engine mount
- Revised CVT Calibration
- Finned fixed pDrive sheave
- Frame reinforcement (directs air flow for better cooling) on mountain sleds

Also, as promised earlier, we are updating you on steps we’ve taken for 2017 REV Gen4 owners that experienced early belt failure, and those are outlined below.

While the vast majority of 2017 owners did not experience an issue related to drive belt life, there was a considerable amount of buzz surrounding belts and heat last season. We want owners to know that Ski-Doo is being proactive and transparent in addressing any real or potential issue well before your next riding season. Furthermore, as the OEM it’s our job to deliver on our product promises - and that’s why we’re reaching out to you today.


For Summit 2017 REV Gen4 owners who’ve experienced early belt failure, BRP will provide, the following updates:
- Gear ratio change
- PTO Engine Mount Shims
Those updates will be available, at no cost for the customer, on both 154” and 165” platforms. Combined with the new belt, they will significantly improve belt life and lower driveline temperatures.


Note that other MY18 improvements shown below are backwards compatible and can also be installed on MY17 snowmobiles at the owner’s discretion. Contact your dealer for more information. In order of effectiveness:
1. Change gear ratio (warranty)
2. Install improved drive belt
3. Remove engine cover and modify CVT cover
4. Install shims on PTO engine mounts (warranty)
5. Update drive pulley fixed sheave
6. Install engine compartment reinforcement plate

Crossover and Trail sleds:

Even though most drive belt issues were related to mountain use, early drive belt failure can also sometimes occur on crossover and trail models in very specific riding conditions.

BRP has made the following options available on MY17 MXZ and Renegade, listed here in order of effectiveness based on our testing. These are available at the owner’s discretion:
1. Install improved drive belt
2. Remove engine cover and modify CVT cover
3. Install shims on PTO engine mounts
4. Update drive pulley fixed sheave
5. Install stiffer MAG engine mount
6. Install engine compartment reinforcement plate

Contact your dealer for more information on those upgrades.

As always, please free free to ask any questions here and we'll do our best to answer them.

Thank you!


- BRPcare

 

[snopro]

That's all you're doing? Prepare to be flamed.

 

[machinehead]

So to recap for the MY17 owners.

Bare minimum alterations:

1. Shim the engine.
2. Change gearing.

Better:
1. Shim the engine.
2. Change gearing.
3. Swap out to improved belt

Best:

And add all the MY18 stuff ?

 

[snopro]

So to recap for the MY17 owners.

Bare minimum alterations:

1. Shim the engine.
2. Change gearing.

Better:
1. Shim the engine.
2. Change gearing.
3. Swap out to improved belt

Best:

And add all the MY18 stuff ?

I concur. The new belt at minimum. If there only a few then why not toss a new belt to the consumer? Those affected have already bought anywhere from 2-12 belts on their own dime already

 

[lilduke]

Does the updated fixed sheave still have the wobble or no?

 

[Summitric]

Ski-Doo Summit Driveline Updates for 2017 REV Gen4 850 Owners




[h=4]BRP Press Release[/h][h=3]2018 Ski-doo summit/Freeride driveline updates and 2017 belt durability improvements[/h]BRP strives to offer Ski-Doo owners the best product performance, reliability and durability. For Model Year 2018 BRP has already announced changes to Ski-Doo REV Gen4 snowmobiles proven to improve drive belt durability, these are recapped below. 2017 Summit Driveline Updates are listed further down.

Changes for Model Year 2018 already announced;

• New gearing (Summit and Freeride)
• New drive belt
• Improved cooling in CVT compartment – New Clutch cover with improved flow
• Revised PTO and MAG engine mount
• Finned fixed pDrive sheave – for improved air flow
• Revised CVT Calibration
• Frame reinforcement (directs air flow for better cooling) on mountain sleds

[h=4]MY2017 Summit Driveline Updates Under Warranty[/h]In addition we promised to update our customers on steps taken for Model Year 2017 REV Gen4 owners, and those too are outlined here:
While the vast majority of 2017 owners did not experience an issue related to drive belt life, there was a considerable amount of buzz surrounding belts and heat last season. We want people to know that BRP is being proactive and transparent in addressing any real or potential issue well before the next riding season. Furthermore, as the OEM it’s our job to deliver on our product promises – and the reason for this frank communication. Our goal is zero issues for our customers and we continue to work diligently in that direction.
For customers with 2017 REV Gen4 850 sleds, the charts below list driveline updates and product improvements that can be performed under warranty and those that can be done if the owners wish at their expense.
The updates are listed in their order of effectiveness for reducing belt temperature, which considerably improves belt durability.

[h=4]Updates covered under warranty for 2017 Ski-Doo mountain sleds[/h]Summit 154 and 165

• Updated gear ratio (21 top/53 bottom)
• PTO Engine Mount Shims

These updates are at no cost to the customer.

Additional Options available for Summit 154 and 165

Order of effectiveness	Description	Covered by
1	Change Gear Ratio (21/53)	BRP
2	Install improved drive belt (p/n 417300531)	Owner
3	Remove engine cover and modify CVT cover	Owner
4	Install shims on PTO engine mounts	BRP
5	Replace drive pulley fixed sheave	Owner
6	Install engine compartment reinforcement plate	Owner

Crossover and Trail sleds:
Even though most drive belt issues were related to mountain use, drive belt failure may occur on crossover and trail models in very specific riding conditions. Owners of MXZ and Renegade models can update their snowmobiles at their discretion. Dealers have the necessary information to handle those requests.

Suggested options available

Order of effectiveness	Description	Covered by
1	Install improved drive belt (p/n 417300531)	Owner
2	Remove engine cover and modify CVT cover	Owner
3	Install shims on PTO engine mounts	Owner
4	Replace drive pulley fixed sheave	Owner
5	Replace MAG engine mount	Owner
6	Install engine compartment reinforcement plate	Owner

 

[Cat401]

so.....I guess we're not saying "game changing update" yet????

 

[lilduke]

What do you guys expect for an update?

id just like to know as a good customer of brp
does the fixed sheave still have the built in wobble
or not? Thank you brp care.

 

[RGM]

What do you guys expect for an update?

id just like to know as a good customer of brp
does the fixed sheave still have the built in wobble
or not? Thank you brp care.

So would I . I am guessing yes.

 

[BRPcare]

does the fixed sheave still have the built in wobble
or not? Thank you brp care.

Hi lilduke,
Yes, the “wobble” is still present on the 2018 ventilated fixed sheave.

 

[lilduke]

Hi lilduke,
Yes, the “wobble” is still present on the 2018 ventilated fixed sheave.

ok thank you.

 

[RGM]

If I still have problem after these updates I will be turning my sheave straight!

 

[lilduke]

If I still have problem after these updates I will be turning my sheave straight!

If a guy does that will it mess up the balance of your crankshaft though?

 

[snochuk]

That's all you're doing? Prepare to be flamed.

Thanks for the update Ric

Well I can honestly say I am not surprised.
BRP admitted there are problems and are paying for the two cheapest fixes.
Items # 5&6 (the big sticker price items that are on all18s) are being left for the consumer to pick up the cost on.............more profit for BRP based on flawed design...........obscenely lame.

Like I said in the spring when this thread came out, a resolution............but benefitting who...........thread timeline was originally brought out to bolster snowchecks?


Bang on for what I expected from BRP based on how they handled last riding season.
Wow.........BRP really is gonna dump on the 17 owners...... who would ever buy a product from that kind of company............just wow.............



Since I see that BRP is on this thread I have reposted the above from a different thread and my opinion of BRP's offer.
So........BRP Cares - BRP clearly recognizes the design flaws of the 17 by nature of the bulliten and the changes made to the 18s. (Nice damage control lingo by the way)
After all that your customers have suffered through (the ones with the problem sleds) why are you not providing the required upgrades (that were clearly necessary for the 18 to even be sellable) under warranty?

What has been offered under warranty is sorrowfully weak to be polite.
Is it strictly economics of the company or do you not care about your past customers and your reputation?

A couple quotes from the thread opening post:
"Update drive pulley fixed sheave" - oops wrong angle - and here's some cooling fins
"Frame reinforcement (directs air flow for better cooling) on mountain sleds" - what a load of horse nuggets for a bulkhead that breaks like glass

All 6 items need to be warranty items.............or you really don't care at all beyond your wallet!?
"Furthermore, as the OEM it’s our job to deliver on our product promises - and that’s why we’re reaching out to you today." - Reaching out to get your hand in your past customers wallets to have them pay even more to fix what is arguably the worst sled put out since the Dragon, maybe ever - that's the "buzz"!



You guys have been monitoring this thread fairly regularly since this post so answer just this one, if you want to save some customer numbers -

Is this really all that BRP is going to do???????

 

[snochuk]

Hello.....Jos'e.....you there?

I see you peeking in from time to time.

 

[skegpro]

Hey Everyone,

As you may recall, for 2018 BRP announced changes to Ski-Doo REV Gen4 snowmobiles proven to increase drive belt durability – these are recapped here:
- New gearing (Summit and Freeride)
- New belt
- Better cooling in CVT compartment - New Clutch cover with improved flow
- Revised PTO and MAG engine mount
- Revised CVT Calibration
- Finned fixed pDrive sheave
- Frame reinforcement (directs air flow for better cooling) on mountain sleds

Also, as promised earlier, we are updating you on steps we’ve taken for 2017 REV Gen4 owners that experienced early belt failure, and those are outlined below.

While the vast majority of 2017 owners did not experience an issue related to drive belt life, there was a considerable amount of buzz surrounding belts and heat last season. We want owners to know that Ski-Doo is being proactive and transparent in addressing any real or potential issue well before your next riding season. Furthermore, as the OEM it’s our job to deliver on our product promises - and that’s why we’re reaching out to you today.


For Summit 2017 REV Gen4 owners who’ve experienced early belt failure, BRP will provide, the following updates:
- Gear ratio change
- PTO Engine Mount Shims
Those updates will be available, at no cost for the customer, on both 154” and 165” platforms. Combined with the new belt, they will significantly improve belt life and lower driveline temperatures.


Note that other MY18 improvements shown below are backwards compatible and can also be installed on MY17 snowmobiles at the owner’s discretion. Contact your dealer for more information. In order of effectiveness:
1. Change gear ratio (warranty)
2. Install improved drive belt
3. Remove engine cover and modify CVT cover
4. Install shims on PTO engine mounts (warranty)
5. Update drive pulley fixed sheave
6. Install engine compartment reinforcement plate

Crossover and Trail sleds:

Even though most drive belt issues were related to mountain use, early drive belt failure can also sometimes occur on crossover and trail models in very specific riding conditions.

BRP has made the following options available on MY17 MXZ and Renegade, listed here in order of effectiveness based on our testing. These are available at the owner’s discretion:
1. Install improved drive belt
2. Remove engine cover and modify CVT cover
3. Install shims on PTO engine mounts
4. Update drive pulley fixed sheave
5. Install stiffer MAG engine mount
6. Install engine compartment reinforcement plate

Contact your dealer for more information on those upgrades.

As always, please free free to ask any questions here and we'll do our best to answer them.

Thank you!


- BRPcare

Hey, are you guys going to address all the tracks that are falling apart?

@norona Can you ask @BRPcare to come back and explain why everyone is having issues?