My 97 explorer 500 is making noise, mostly when at idle. I took the clutch cover off to check and found scrub marks on the inside of the cover around the clutch head not belt area. Nothing looks like it's out of place or lose, any ideas what might be causing it. Two belt changes ago my clutch cover seal came apart, in a hurry and cheap as I am I just used some silicone sealent, never caused a problem or leaked. Could it have caused the cover to become miss shaped, or do they get deformed over time.

 

Check your engine mounts.

 

Engine could cause cover to lean aginst running board? good idea.
Thanks..

 

not engine mounts.. all tight, no vibration, no signs of rubbing on out side of cover.
any other ideas?

 

The older covers do tend to warp... become odd shaped over time...
We had a pair of 2000 sp 500's and ride alot of rivers... we also have small children that ride around on the front of the machine and use the cover as a foot rest.

My suggestion would be to replace the cover, seal and all should be good!

Being river riders... we had issues of water creeping into the belt housing and making the belt slip.

Jon

 

Well sounds broke to me. Time for a new EFI. LOL