I am considering buying a scrambler, but I have heard that they have major belt slipping problems when in deep water. Where I ride has a lot of fairly deep river crossings ( in the spring at least). Is this a major problem? Can it be remmedied? Should I not buy because of this? ANd once the belt starts slipping in the water does that mean the belt is ruined?
If anybody has any answers or anything to add about the Scrambler 500 please say so. The one I looking at is a used 99 or 2000.

 

I've not yet run mine in deep water, but I'm aware of the issues. couple things to know:

First, no reason they can't be submarines.

Second, the belt housing cover seals against a fairly soft gasket, and does so without any real force. A clean gasket, installed properly, is critical. Most complaints come from people that take the cover off and fail to reinstall it correctly. Its isn't that hard to do correctly.

second, their is a rubber tube that comes from the PVT belt cover to the top part of the quad. it mates to the belt housing via a rubber boot, and the boot seals via a tie wrap. decide for yourself, but I'm putting something their to help seal that up a bit more water tight. Don't use anything that is oil based. I'm thinking about a soft silicone layer and a lightly tightened radiator clamp. There is no pressure other then water so...

Polaris's suggests sugggest letting the quad idle to air dry the belt if it gets damp. It it gets WET I suppose its open the cover time, athough that's pretty easy to do. It could be done and then air dryed even on the trail I suppose.

I'd see no reason to consider a belt ruined because it got wet. Now if you sat there and spun the belt silly I suppose yo could glaze it or burn it.

 

I have a 2000 Trailblazer and run in deep water alot and have had no problems ever with the belt getting wet. If the seal is good,the housing is tight and you dont go deeper than the housing exhaust then you will be good.

 

Ditto on what has already been said.But I will add that you cant blast through water with one and be sure not to get water in the air intake for the PVT .I have had mine in water over the seat and had no probblem if I dont rush it.Just remember it aint no jet ski.