Cause of failure: lack of oil. Please refer to the attached photos of a fuel sample being taken from the M8 in question sitting next to a sample mixture of 100:1. If the first tank was 100:1, there probably wouldn't have been an issue. Also included is a photo of what a piston looks like when it seizes due to a lack of oil, yes this is the piston out of the M8.
A couple of members posting seem to think that because we didn't sell this sled that we are putting off the repair and suggesting that it wouldn't be covered under warranty. This repair is definitely not being put-off. Let’s get something straight, this is how we make a living. However, let’s not forget about the 40 other people that have already made appointments and are also waiting for their machines to be completed. Based on certain posters’ criticism of our implied lack of enthusiasm to immediately crack into this; I would truly love for you all to be our service customers due to the fact that when I bump your repair down the list in favor of someone else’s whose just arrived, I will have complete and total confidence that you will totally understand why YOUR job is going to take even longer to complete! You sir’s, are a service manager’s wet dream of a client…..the mystical white unicorn if you will. Regardless, the motors out, tore down, and parts were ordered 2 days after it arrived. Now, as far as warranty goes.....well that actually isn't my call. The factory has the final word on what they will cover and what they won't. So, if anyone ever bothered to read the very first page in the little book that comes with a new sled titled "Operator's Manual", you will notice a list of items that will VOID the warranty. #1) Failure to perform proper break-in procedure....etc..etc....skip to item # 3) use of improper fuel mixture ratio. From a dealer perspective, these were all conditions that were met that would effectively void the warranty, so if you ask me if Arctic Cat will cover this, my initial answer is going to be no. Just because that's my answer doesn't mean I am not going to call and ask, but I am certainly not going to be fraudulent to the manufacturer about the cause. Arctic Cat has no obligation to cover this repair based on what is stated in the limited warranty. We made the phone call and explained the situation and Arctic Cat, like always, stepped up with their outstanding warranty and took care of it. This is indeed not a manufacturer problem, nor a tolerance issue, nor a “heat cycling” issue…..It’s a lack of oil issue. You are right that some dealer’s may only add 2 gallons of 100:1 and not add additional oil and expect the customer to do that. You are also correct that some dealers may not bleed the pump and rely on the 100:1 fuel mixture. That’s not how we do it here. Ever. Ask questions to your dealers, talk to your service departments and read your operator’s manual to save yourselves the hassle of this stuff happening. A little preparation goes an enormously long way.
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