Frontier 8x8 problems, no power

[Trent]

I just purchased a brand new argo frontier 8x8 last month. The first couple weeks it ran fine, but the last 2 weeks it has been giving me problems evertime out. I was running some catfish lines from the bank in it and it would run fine when i first started. In between lines i turned it off a couple times and when i would start it back up it would have no power. i could completely stop it just by trying to turn it. If i would let it sit and idle after about ten minutes it would start running right again. I talked to the dealer and he said it was due to the heat and i needed cold air induction or try running with the hood off and not to shut it off.. I dont feel like i should have to add stuff to a 15000 dollar machine to make it run. Also it was 90-100 when i first got it and ran fine. recently been mainly 80s. I tried running with the hood off and didn't seem to change a thing. Couple days ago i was just letting it idle between lines and heard the motor slightly change pitch, sure enough no power. Tried letting it cool off for about 20 minutes but it still wouldnt run right when restarted. Yesterday it acted up again and also would seem to die or bog when i tried to give it gas after starting it back up. It will pretty much stop it when turning and in water could only get it to 29 to 3000 rpm. My father thought it was trying to vapor lock. I have checked the spark plugs and the fuel filter and both appear fine. Any suggestions or thoughts would be much appreciated. If can figure it out gonna call argo or briggs and see if they have any ideas. Thanks for your time and help.

[mudbug3]

Trent


I agree with you , in that you should'nt have to drive with the hood off on your new Argo 8x8 just to make it run properly. This is exactly what I used to do with my new Argo Frontier. This was really embarrassing for me when atv riders would ask why I had to run with the hood off on a new machine. I later fabricated a cool air intake that works really well. At the Big and Nasty atv park ,MightymaxIV rode his 2011 Frontier with the hood off and I rode my 2011 Frontier with the hood on. When ever we stopped I kept my engine running so the fan would pull cooler air into the engine. My engine did'nt sputter or pop with the cool air intake that I'd made, but MightymaxIV,s Frontier did spit and pop even with the hood off, though not all of the time. The inside of my exhaust pipe used to be sooty and black and also blow black smoke before I did this modification, and now it burns a carmel like colour. An Argo dealer told me that Argo was having a lot of warrenty problems with motors seizing up when their machines were shipped to hotter climates. Because of this Argo now jets their engines richer.

[racerone3]

bottom line. make the dealer fix it or replace it. the manufacturer has to be credible for the machine they sell and they do this through their dealer network. It works the same for an ARGO dealer as it does for a car, truck, refrigerator, TV, boat..... anything you buy new with a warranty. they will dodge their way out of it unless you MAKE THEM BE CREDIBLE!!! You just shelled out A LOT of money. Be a pain in the a$$ till they make it right.

[glen1971]

When I bought mine a I cut in better inline fuel filter, just behind the seat.. That was a cheap guarantee to cleaner fuel...

I had a power loss one time and found it was from when someone hit my machine, driving the winch into one of the plugs and busting it off.. I could make it run, but barely get up a small hill.. Put a new plug and wire in and got it running really well.. Took it in to the dealer and they patched the small hole from the whole incident..

Another time I was driving along, going well, and it just died.. Started it up and it ran good for about 10 minutes and died.. Started it up after a few tries and made it back to the trailer. When I got it home, I looked at the battery and found a huge amount of oxidation on the negative post. I know they were tight at the start of the season.. When I cleaned it up, with some baking soda and water, I found it loose.. I noticed that both the postive and negatice terminals were the same, so I went out and bought the specific ones for a battery with 2 different sized posts. Replaced and cleaned all the connections, and put some anti oxidizing compund on them. Never had an issue since...

Just a couple things to check..

[mightymaxIV]

Trent, wow sorry to hear your having problems with a new machine. We really shouldn't have these issues. In my case the problem has always been heat related and running with the hood off seems to work 90% percent of the time. I agree with racerone , we shouldn't have these issues but I know that a lot of these problems are related to emissions standards on the 23 horse Briggs. I wish I could offer a solution other than a cold air filer like MudBug3 but I really can't. I can tell you that the K&N filter MudBug3 installed seems to have fixed the problem.

Trent-we haven't Got many postings from Frontier 8x8 owners, other than the problems how do you like you machine? Can you tell us a little about it's capabilities?

Glen. I will have to remember the battery information, thats kind of scary to think about something like that happening to me while I am out in the middle of a swamp somewhere.

[Trent]

Thanks for the replys and help. I still have not figured it out, but my dealer (250 miles away) is calling some places and trying to figure out the problem. So far i have checked the plugs, fuelfilter and battery. A little more about what i am seeing. On Saturday i took it out and it was only 66 degrees out, it still gave me problems. When it is acting up it idles at 6-8 hundred rpm. When it is running fine it usually idles at 11 hundred rpm. On Sunday it was upper 80s and gave me problems too. Both times i had the hood on. I tried takeing the gas cap off one of the times it acted up to see maybe if it was a venting or pressure problem in the tank, but it did not help. I also noticed the temp gauge suddenly appeared on my display which it never had before and stays at one bar. In the book it shows it isnt on the frontier models. Whether it is suppose to show i dont know but it is showing evertime its on now and i know there was no temp display the last few weeks. Thinking about extending the lines and moving the fuel pump off of the motor and seeing if that helps. Other than that and the cold air filter(which i hope i dont have to) I am out of ideas. Hopefully my dealer can figure it out.
MightmaxIV, This is my first amphibious so i have nothing else to compare it to. I have always had fourwheelers and in most situations i prefer the argo. I have the 3.3 transmission in mine and think it(when running right) has plenty of power. It will just crawl over logs and most obsticles and swims very well. I bought it to use hunting and playing with my young kids and think it will work great. I can load up my wife and kids and play or i can pile on the treestands or duck blind materials and go do that if i want, where i was limited on a fourwheeler especially now i have a place that has 4 water crossing including the first that is 30 yards wide and from 1 to 5 foot deep. Overall i think it is great (little high priced new but what isnt these days) when it is running proper. When it isnt, well you can guess.
Thanks again for the replys.

[glen1971]

One option, and I am not sure of the US equivalent, but here is the Canadian manufacturer link.. Maybe try sending them an email... Since they build them and do all the R&D on them, they should be able to help..

Gears, ODG Gearboxes, ODG Quiet Gears, ODG Custom Transmissions, KTR Couplings

Just a thought...

[Trent]

Just to give an update. Got my argo finally fixed the end of last month. Ended up narrowing my problem down to an electrical problem and my dealer took it to his briggs dealer. They said the back cylinder was not getting the proper spark at times. They replaced the solenoid and something else. It hasn't acted up since.
Thanks for the replies and help.

[mightymaxIV]

Just to give an update. Got my argo finally fixed the end of last month. Ended up narrowing my problem down to an electrical problem and my dealer took it to his briggs dealer. They said the back cylinder was not getting the proper spark at times. They replaced the solenoid and something else. It hasn't acted up since.
Thanks for the replies and help.

Trent, I am happy to hear you got the machine fixed, it's a shame that you had the problem in the first place.

Could you post up some video of that Frontier in action, we haven't seen to many frontier 8x8's. I am very curious about there swimmiming potential. I have always thought they would be the fastest machine Argo makes in the water because of the light weight and excellent 24" swimmer tires.

[payshoot]

Hello,
I have a 2010 Frontier 650 8x8 that I bought June 2010. Needed a machine to get myself and my wife through the water and mud to our cabin site and mining claims. Did have a bit of trouble with engine back firing and stalling that first summer, mostly on hills. Brought it back to the dealer several times, they played with the carbs, put in a hotter plug, ect. Maybe a little operator error too. Must have got it, haven't had the problem since. Ran rubber tracks the first winter, hauled loads of lumber and tools to the site. Went back to tires in May 2011 and worked on the place all summer, through the mud and crap, I mean crap, no problems. Ready to put the tracks on again, snowing right now. Swims ok with the tires, but I only have a short distance to cross, the tires are tough - I would purchase another set of the same, very impressive. I am happy with the machine, but there is a learning curve for sure - and maintenance like a small factory. I was a little overwelmed with the machine at first, but with a little help from the dealer, this forum, and some time in the machine - I am sold now. I will try to get some pictures of our adventures up soon.
payshoot

[mightymaxIV]

Hello,
I have a 2010 Frontier 650 8x8 that I bought June 2010. Needed a machine to get myself and my wife through the water and mud to our cabin site and mining claims. Did have a bit of trouble with engine back firing and stalling that first summer, mostly on hills. Brought it back to the dealer several times, they played with the carbs, put in a hotter plug, ect. Maybe a little operator error too. Must have got it, haven't had the problem since. Ran rubber tracks the first winter, hauled loads of lumber and tools to the site. Went back to tires in May 2011 and worked on the place all summer, through the mud and crap, I mean crap, no problems. Ready to put the tracks on again, snowing right now. Swims ok with the tires, but I only have a short distance to cross, the tires are tough - I would purchase another set of the same, very impressive. I am happy with the machine, but there is a learning curve for sure - and maintenance like a small factory. I was a little overwelmed with the machine at first, but with a little help from the dealer, this forum, and some time in the machine - I am sold now. I will try to get some pictures of our adventures up soon.
payshoot

Thanks for information Payshoot, it's nice to hear from a Frontier owner who has really used his machine for work. I am happy you got all the problems sorted out, this is the second time I have heard that putting a hotter plug in the 23 horse Briggs helps. Thanks for the information, I wish you all the best on your future adventures.