hi Guys,

I noticed my belt slipping a bit so took off my case (02 500act), and low and behold I discovered an oilly residue over most everything under the cover, not to metion a couple of tablespoons of really black oil that dripped out the bottom of the case.

Without taking anything off as of yet(as in clutches), as I am not sure if this is within my capability or not, would you guys agree that I have a engine shaft seal giving way?

If it was just a belt wearing I would be kind of expecting a sooty or dry black to be the crap in the case, correct me anywhere here guys.

This is a cat with about 3500 miles on it.

please advise

 

You definitley have a seal going bad. That seal is your only source of oil inside that cover, I have owned snowmobiles for 20 years and I have never seen worn belts give off any oily residue. Unless you have clutch and seal pullers, I would recommend taking it to a dealer. You may have a bad bearing that could cause a slight "Wobble" in the shaft and that could have caused the seal to fail early.
Just a thought.

 

sounds like good advice

thanks

 

You won't need any special tools for this job. Will need to remove belt cover, clutches, engine cover. When engine cover is removed you will have to remove the one way clutch ( pay attention to the direction it is installed ), and shaft, bearing, then the seal. Will need seal, engine cover gasket, clutch cover gasket, inspection cover gasket ( if yours has the little cover at the top of belt cover), Belt, and oil and filter. The oily stuff on the clutches is a mess to clean up, don't put it in your solvent tank or you will ruin a whole tank of solvent. The stuff will stain almost anything. Best to use power washer or spray solvent on parts to clean them. Hope this helps,TORK.

 

Thanks Tork,

Seems like you have had just this problem happen to you., that or you are an ac mechanic

 

Former A/C Catmaster Tech, Out on my own now. Seen this happen a few times, real messy but not a hard job to do.

 

Hey backwoodsfisherman, How did your belt problem turn out?

 

Tork,

You called it right on the nose, thats what it was alright.

I ended up taking it into a local shop here - was too close to a trip where I needed it and wasn't sure I could get it done in time.

Boy those belts sure are pricey.