Well I had to take the beast back to the dealer yesterday due to a blown head gasket. Though I have to say.... I was very impressed with AC corp.! The dealer called their AC rep while I stood there to get permission to tear down the motor or to send it into AC for them to check it out. The AC rep told the dealer to go ahead and tear in to it and save all parts to send in! But the best part was, the rep pretty much told the dealer to do what it takes to make the bike as good as it was! Told em to replace the cylinder, ring, head if it looks like it needs it, if oil has gotten in to the radiator replace it too, and clean or replace the muffler! In my book thats above and beyond! -very impressed [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]with the customer service from AC!

I later talked to the AC tech on what they had found and he stated there was a nick at the cylinder to head mating surface of the cylinder extending to the water jacket, most likely caused during assembly, making it likely that the head gasket never sealed or barely sealed on it's first run!
So they are replacing the cylinder, rings, possibly the radiator, flushing the oil, and either replacing the muffler or cleaning it depending how saturated it is, and that it is top priority and should be back to me with in a few days! Awesome service!

And for the controversial part!!!!! On an earlier post I stated I believe in the ride it hard brake-in procedure! And was directed to mototuneusa.com via mudslinginfool. and as much as I like to do things different, I followed motomans advise, and I would let the bike warm up and then I pegged it hard! wide open hard from the start line! all 23 miles! Changed the oil after 20 miles. and hard again! (hope the warranty sharks aren't reading this!)
So while talking to the AC tech, I asked how the cylinder and piston looked? He stated to me that he was even impressed on how the piston looked brand new! Like they just put it in! And never expected it to look as good as it does, and that the rings did a good job sealing because no water got into the oil! Not one scuff mark on the piston or cylinder wall!

So take it how you wish.... cause I'm buying it! I'm going to continue to ride it hard when breaking-in new motors!

 

To bad, but stuff happens and it's how the people respond to your problem that counts. Good that they are taking care of you.

 

wow maybe arctic cat is starting to work on their customer service a lil more beings they were dreaded for so long. i never had any problems with them but i have heard stories and glad to hear in all this bad you found some good home you get your atv back soon.

 

Wildwest
WHo's your dealer?

Thanks
Shonk

 

i made it 120 miles before i blew my head gasket and my buddy made it 90, is this a fairly common problem or just isolated events

 

Theshonk, I got the H1 from The outdoor toy store in Stevenson WA. I just got it back home on Thurs. and it seams to be running great! They replaced the cylinder and rings. everything else looked good due to catching it as early as I did.
I'm very happy with the out come of the misshap!

Thumbs up to AC for their customer service and standing behind thier product!

-Wildwest

 

Why are head gaskets blowing so soon? What are the headgaskets made out of? cardboard?

 

Well as I stated, they found that somehow during assembly the top surface of the cylinder had gotten nicked causing the head gasket to leak. They did show it to me when I picked up the bike and sure enough, it was, it was a small nick, but big enough to prevent it from sealing correctly. The dealer did state that AC corp. wants to see the old cylinder to investigate the cause, with hopes it is an isolated incident. But ether way, they treated me better than expected, both dealer and AC Corp...

 

Thats odd. Gumpz said the samething happened with him and his friend too. I wonder if there will be a recall soon?

 

for only that many miles, I would have asked for a new machine...sounds like a recall, but shouldn't happen