Argo trans kinda Noisy,,

[m350]

Yes,,How it should be,,smooth,,mine kinda sounds like marbles, getting ready to let loose,,,I have heard the whine, guys talk about,,unfortunetly mine has more then that.

Anyone have a actual picture of a 2000 Argo BigFoot (or simular )trans (not the schematic)on the cover side (calling it right side, sitting in seat) showing the 2 plug plates above the rotor,,on mine the 2 plug plates are missing, like I have mentioned,,,but looking on the trans schematic,,,it appears to me that the end of (#6 shaft,spline) is sticking out through the cover bearing(# 16) about a 1/4" preventing the plug plate from even being put in place.

The plug plates look like a 2" freeze plug,,stamped out dished in,,,what I would like to know is,,are they both installed,,,dish in, like a freeze plug or is this front shaft # 6 supposed to stick out through the bearing 1/4" or so, causing the plug plate to be installed dish out ??

Thinking this #6 shaft and bearing's may be the trouble area,,,because thats the one that was spinning when in neutral,,,had my finger on it when spinning the driven clutch with it noisy,,growling ! Sorry for the Novel,,,,,,,Mark

[Roger S]

I think you have the right idea about taking it out for exploratory surgery. Mine doesn't make a sound when spinning the clutch by hand. I think the most common wear factor in them is a bushing inside the reverse idler gear. Makes them exceptionally noisy in reverse.

[m350]

The noise is from in the gear box for sure,,When we first got it home,, cleaning, adjusting the carb, so it would idle I noticed it did kind of growl when reved in neutral,,315 hrs on it then,,I took it for a ride out back today,,and across the pond,, (Gotta love that part ),,and it seems to be getting worse,,louder, growling more, in the 25 hrs we have put on it so far.

When we got it home there was no oil on the trans dip stick,,(put in 75w90),I see some silicone on the gasket,,and the 2 "Plug plates" (#23 0n the schematic) on the trans right side are missing,, with oil up to the line on the stick,, it did not quiet the sound any,,So I beleive someone has been in there.

The 18 HP VanGaurd runs good now, with the belt off today, I ran it,,nice and smooth No weird noise,,thinking if I dont look into the trans,,it's going to have a Cum-A-Part,,a mile out on the trail,,or middle of a Pond, and I dont need that.

Anybody Good at re-building the Argo trans ??,,

PS,,Whats the best way to pull the trans out on a BigFoot ??,,,,Later,,,Mark

[Rock Doctor]

And seems to be getting louder, so I pulled the belt,,spin the driven clutch by hand,,,it kinda growls,,,feel nothing wobbling,,So I drain the oil,,,magnetic plug was pretty hairy, with metal fillings,,can see small specs in the oil as it drains,,anyone have any ideas on this ?

I do have the Argo trans schematic and parts list,,,,If I need to pull the trans,,what is the best way to do so ?? 340 hrs on the clock !,,,,,,Mark

Metal fillings in the oil is never a good thing, but don't rip out your trans yet. Has your oil ever been changed before? I would think that it should have been done, at least, 2 times so far (break in oil changes). 340 hrs is really nothing, but you might have a mechanical failure inside. I would remove the idler chains and do a lift check on your input/output shafts (bearing check), also have an oil analysis done if you can (this can tell you where the metal wear is occuring)
The way you describe the sound it makes "growls" could mean a couple things. It could simply be the sound of "straight cut" gears meshing (normal) or it could be a bearing on the way out. I can't hear it so it's hard to say.

robio_8x8 made some good points, but I don't think the noise would be coming from your clutch, if, as you say, you have pulled your belt and spun the input shaft by hand and still hear the noise.

Both of my current Argo's transmitions make alot of noise, but I would not have described it as a growl, it's more of a whine (gear mesh)

Regards
RD

[Robio_8x8]

Noise, from CVT pulleys or gear box?

If the Noise is from the CVT pulleys have you tried spraying them with a silicone lubricant? If so cover the belt and brakes so you do not get lube on them.

If it is the Gear box have you changed the oil to 80-90 type c gear oil and whipped off the magnetic drain pug and see if it starts to go away. Does it do it in neutral? check the chains if in gear . If not well inspect the gear box.

[m350]

And seems to be getting louder, so I pulled the belt,,spin the driven clutch by hand,,,it kinda growls,,,feel nothing wobbling,,So I drain the oil,,,magnetic plug was pretty hairy, with metal fillings,,can see small specs in the oil as it drains,,anyone have any ideas on this ?

I do have the Argo trans schematic and parts list,,,,If I need to pull the trans,,what is the best way to do so ?? 340 hrs on the clock !,,,,,,Mark