HDi clutch issues

[argoweasel]

I have an 2011 HDi that is giving me fits. The plastic covers over the clutch wieghts melted onto the wieghts a few weeks ago. I thought at the time someone had driven it around in low for a long time and maybe that is why it had gotten so hot.

I cleaned up the wieghts, put new plastic covers on the weights, and within 2 days, or 4 hours, they melted again.

This is a new HDi with about 45 hours on it. Any ideas as to why the clutch is melting those plastic covers? Thanks!!!

[number1cas]

I would call ODG directly on that one, I have called them a couple times for issues that I wasn't getting a satisfactory answer from the dealer. (Not complaining about my dealer, he just didn't seem to have the correct answer for me) and they were VERY helpful.

[mightymaxIV]

I have an 2011 HDi that is giving me fits. The plastic covers over the clutch wieghts melted onto the wieghts a few weeks ago. I thought at the time someone had driven it around in low for a long time and maybe that is why it had gotten so hot.

I cleaned up the wieghts, put new plastic covers on the weights, and within 2 days, or 4 hours, they melted again.

This is a new HDi with about 45 hours on it. Any ideas as to why the clutch is melting those plastic covers? Thanks!!!

Could you keep us informed on what you find out? My Admiral runs pretty hot but nothing like that, thats a real concern! Argo had better come up with some fixes for issues like this FAST!

[LarryW]

I have seen that in the little junk chinese mopeds. I believe it was from a worn belt putting to much stress on it. I think low range would help the belt stay cool. It would be like when you plow snow your transmission in your truck will last longer if you us 4 wheel low instead of 4 wheel high. I would call ODG as stated and make sure the belt is good and align. Maybe put the machine up on blocks and make sure there is no drag in the drive system too.

[mudbug3]

LarryW

I was told that ODG recommends not running the admiral transmission in low gear for no longer than 15 minutes time because the transmission will over heat.

[LarryW]

Mudbug, I wonder why that is, did they say? I found a link that talks alot about what to use, high or low depending on situation and they really want it to stay in high range. I am curious why that is though. Normally low range is less stress on everything. I'm sure it would be better on the clutch but you might fry the transmission I guess.

http://www.allseasonsargo.com/HDi%202010%20NP4.pdf

[Badlildoggy]

Do you think that tranny heat is causing the burn? I would think belt mis-alignment aswell or something making heat within the sheaves, there is amazing load on those belts and clutches.

[Moosetalker]

I remember a thread about running a tranny cooler, the Admiral might be a good candidate for this if it is indeed running hot .i.

15 min run time in low seems awfull short, I hunt one spot where you climb up a steep switchback trail up out of a river bottom its about a 550 ft rise over 3/4 of a mile acording to the topo map, and with a moose in my old Argo it means being in low for more than 15 min for sure.

[Rock Doctor]

My guess would have been a Misaligned Belt, but maybe there is something wrong in the Trans causing an excessive load? Does it seem to be labouring at all while driving?
One of the new HDI's at a friends work location just piled up the trans last week, it has 38hrs on it.

RD

[1999f1504x4]

like Rock Doctor said it could be a misaligned belt, i highly doubt its from operating in low because i have operated in low for basically 8 hours and the tranny has never heated up that much.

[mudbug3]

I have operated in low for basically 8 hours and the tranny has never heated up that much.

I have run my 2011 Argo Frontier for several hours at a time in low gear and have often wondered if this will cause me any mechanical problems later on ,because I,ve been told that Argo recommends only using low range for 15 minutes at a time because the admiral transmission will over heat. I do notice the new Argo,s that have the admiral transmissions and the quieter exhaust do run a lot hotter than the older Argo,s. I think a lot of the heat is caused from the very restrictive and quiet exhaust.