*[email protected]# Poor engineering

Update:
I've called 1-800-962-7926 which is Yamaha's Customer Relations. I basically got the run around there as well and they told me there have been no reported problems like this except from me. They simply told me to take it back to the dealer for repair. Guess I load this heap up and drop it off to them tomorrow. AAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!

why bother, they cant do anything about it...Just ride it man, and if one day it breaks, take it in.

I only have 5 more months on my warranty. If it lasts 6 months before it burns up, I'll be SOL. That's why I need to take action now.

Forgive me if you already know this.... Differentials will get warm during normal operation, even w/o an external heat source like an exhaust that is close by. They can get downright hot when worked hard, especially when ambient temperatures are high.

The Rhino has the exhaust in a similar position, and the differential is nearly identical in build style. Yet rear end problems are scarce on that machine. At this point, while the heat sheild can't hurt, I say heat in the rear diff is a non issue. Unless someone gets some hard data showing the rear diff is running consistently over what is considered normal differential operating temps, the claims need to be toned down. If we reach the point where the temp is shown to be high, I'll be on board with you. Except for the Polaris part.

My rear seals are leaking now due to the excessive heat. I have called Yamaha 2 times now, each time its the same run around. I did wrap my entire exhaust in header wrap, and it made a huge difference in diff heat. Now let me say this, in cooler outside temps riding the Viking around the farm on slow rides I am sure the diff heat will be ok. Now in my case, using the Viking more on the sport side the heat is not ok.

madviking said:

Forgive me if you already know this.... Differentials will get warm during normal operation, even w/o an external heat source like an exhaust that is close by. They can get downright hot when worked hard, especially when ambient temperatures are high.

The Rhino has the exhaust in a similar position, and the differential is nearly identical in build style. Yet rear end problems are scarce on that machine. At this point, while the heat sheild can't hurt, I say heat in the rear diff is a non issue. Unless someone gets some hard data showing the rear diff is running consistently over what is considered normal differential operating temps, the claims need to be toned down. If we reach the point where the temp is shown to be high, I'll be on board with you. Except for the Polaris part.

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After riding, I can use my heat gun and the front differential temp reads under 100 degrees and the rear one reads as high as 250 degrees and that is riding in 4wd. That should be considered a problem.

camo2014 said:

My rear seals are leaking now due to the excessive heat. I have called Yamaha 2 times now, each time its the same run around. I did wrap my entire exhaust in header wrap, and it made a huge difference in diff heat. Now let me say this, in cooler outside temps riding the Viking around the farm on slow rides I am sure the diff heat will be ok. Now in my case, using the Viking more on the sport side the heat is not ok.

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My rear seals are starting to leak as well due to excessive heat and my heap only has 12.4 hours on it. And most of those hours are riding under 15 MPH on smooth trails and asphalt. I just ordered a roll of header wrap. It should be here by the end of the week. Hope it helps.

forkliftking said:

I only have 5 more months on my warranty. If it lasts 6 months before it burns up, I'll be SOL. That's why I need to take action now.

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Oh, ok, yeah, if you didnt get the extended warranty, i understand.

Extended warranty or not - if its a design issue with the machine that causes a problem like a 'rear diff to burn up', than something like that would be taking care of, and every Viking would be recalled. I think IMO that this is a bit pre mature to determine. If your seals are leaking because 'you' say its excessive heat, or any other reason, then bring the machine in for free replacement seals.

try to get warranty claim for new seals or a new diff

and after you get that

make your own heatshield.

head to metal shop and get them to use some thick stainless and make a shield.

layer the inside with heat insulation material.

if you want to go even further, stack two pieces of metal sandwiching some insulation to add more insulation.

I have a Commander 800XT and heat has been an issue for as long as they have been around. The bottom of the plastic bed will melt in the right conditions because of the exhaust and yes the rear diff will get hot. You can boil water in the cup holders (Its been done out west). I've added a bed heat shield, exhaust wrap and insulation to the dog house/cup holders and it has made a difference. Unfortunately to get something recalled it has to be a safety issue or enough of these things have to have the same problems.
In my case BRP's answer to the heat was to update the new models and the rest of us had to do it ourselves.
All brands have there faults and the "new" first and second year models are always a gamble and we are the ginny pigs that brunt the majority of the problems. My dime

Cars get hot in the same way, just a car has more insulation between operator and components meaning most people don't even notice... You could probably get some fire proof foam and wrap it..

vixx said:

Cars get hot in the same way, just a car has more insulation between operator and components meaning most people don't even notice... You could probably get some fire proof foam and wrap it..

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Yup, cars have insulation and a lot of things inbetween the engine and where you sit that keeps the heat away from you. the firewall, panels, insulation, etc.
in something as simple as this we can't expect much.

Has this been a constant problem with the Viking since its intro?

Yes but is a easy fix with a shield and exhaust wrap

Has anybody else did a compare heat test before and after using exhaust wrap? without a shield? Just curious what results you came up with when you tested the temp on the diff and the boots coming out of the diff after the wrap was installed.

If you ride in the water a lot. The exhaust wrap will hold moisture, and prematurely rot out your pipe.