Gator 850D

marksmu · Jan 20, 2009

I have found part of the problem on my gator that was contributing to the noise....this past weekend I lifted it up and found that I had one of the rubber engine mount pads broken off....the bolt appears to have sheared somehow, and alot of the pinging was coming from the pad and its metal housing shaking around on the broken nut.

I was able to get it off, but I am taking it in to have it put back on. Its new and under warranty so Im not messing with it myself. It didnt look difficult, but why bother if I dont have to?

I can drop it off on a monday and have it back before the weekend.

At any rate, it was part of the sound, but not the whole thing. One of the sounds is eliminated the other is still there.

2fast2 · Jan 20, 2009

Interesting. Did you see this from above or below? Which mount is it? I'll have to take a closer look at mine.
Thanks.

marksmu · Jan 20, 2009

You would be able to see it from the side as well as from the bottom. If you stoop down near the drivers side, under the engine you can see a 2" or 3" round rubber pad on a bolt that keeps the engine from pinging against the frame when its rocking around. Mine broke...the bolt head sheared off, and the rubber pad came out. It is part of what was pinging.

Its not all of the pinging...but I will post a photo of it this weekend when I go pick it up to take it in. I will also be asking the dealer about the sounds coming from what I think is the CVT spring.

chipsndust · Jan 25, 2009

Just noticed this post, maybe this will help. Last summer, my 850D developed a noise, only when moving. Turned out to be a small stick (piece of brush). There is a stiffener plate underneath. The plate has a square hole in it. The square hole has a rubber grommet which snaps in, the grommet has a round hole in it which the driveshaft passes through. The brush had partially knocked the grommet out. The misaligned grommet made a squeaking or whistling sound, from rubbing on the driveshaft, and the stick made a less regular clicking, more metallic sound. Removed the stick, popped the grommet in place, and the noise was gone.

marksmu · Jan 27, 2009

Just spoke with the dealer about my problems...I had it in on Saturday and I guess they got to it today. While at the service department I drove it around to show the service person my clicking complaint. He agreed it was odd....so we drove some of the ones on the lot around and they had no similar sounds...

As to the sounds coming from the engine. Its a misfiring cylinder. Apparently its only missing at the 15-30% throttle range, and cleans itself up after that and before it. They are going to clean the injectors and see if that clears it up.

As to the tilt - turns out I had a very small leak in a tire that was letting out just enough you could not notice. I used tire goop to seal them up, and all is well.

As to the mount - they are not sure how it came off, but it is the driver side rubber pad...its housed between the motor and the small frame piece. They were amazed it could even come off, but they are replacing it as well.

Just updating....if anyone else has a click, I'd take in to be looked at...it may be the cylinder as well.

marksmu · Feb 3, 2009

Another update if anyone is following. The dealers service dept checked the cylinders and turns out they were not misfiring. What was actually happening to mine, was the engine mount was never installed properly....b/c of this at the RPM level the engine would torque to one side and not encounter the mount to stop it. This put a stress on the spring clutch. When at the specific RPM it was twisting the clutch, causing the belt to ride on the clutch akwardly, thereby causing the spring in the clutch to repeatedly make the popping sound. I got the call today that they have fixed everything, put a new belt, new clutch, and new mount on it.

All this from a brand new gator with 46 hours.

At least I can say that JD is standing behind it and fixing everything. Im just glad I didnt need it this week.

nmu98 · Feb 3, 2009

Glad its fixed. Its hard to understand what noises people are hearing on the net as we all describe things different. I don't think too many others will have the ping you did! at least I hope not. That had to be loud....