I mostly use my Prowler for gathering firewood and keeping my 2km driveway plowed. This year we have had much more snow than usual, so have been needing to work the machine for longer periods, but always with some care and caution so as to avoid damaging anything. However, on Sunday it stopped suddenly in the middle of a plowing run. After getting it to my dealer, I learned that the oil had cooked and burnt out the main crank shaft bearings. Apparently the snow had clogged both the coolant and oil radiators and it had been running and overheating. At least that is the only thing that we can think of to have caused the problem. It only has 188 hours on it and the oil was fine when I checked it a few days earlier. Three questions: 1. Has anyone else heard of such a thing happening? (I live in the Yukon and it was about -15F on Sunday.) I confess to never having thought about the possibility of snow and ice clogging the rads and, concentrating on staying out of the ditch, watching my plow edge, I obviously missed the temp indicator on the instrument display. 2. The dealer is estimating $4000 for repairs (about 50/50 labour and parts, est. 18 hours labour). Does anyone have any suggestions for how this might be reduced? 3. Do you think Arctic Cat might be willing to help? I have to say that I am thoroughly disillusioned with the Prowler. I told the dealer what I needed it to do before I purchased it (Sept 07) and was assured that plowing a 2km driveway would not present a problem. Now he is saying that I am using it in a way that is quite demanding and I should not be surprised that it is not up to the challenge. Thanks for any advice and recommendations!
Seemed to have killed my Prowler...
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! I sure would try to get cat to help you on this one. Let us know how things go for you. Good luck!Appreciate your sympathy!
Today I heard from an Arctic Cat factory rep. He did not promise anything, but was sympathetic and said he would look into what might be possible. I will keep the forum posted as to what the outcome is. $4000 just seems really steep to me.
Today I heard from an Arctic Cat factory rep. He did not promise anything, but was sympathetic and said he would look into what might be possible. I will keep the forum posted as to what the outcome is. $4000 just seems really steep to me.
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7 Posts
I have been thinking about your engine situation for a few days now. I checked an AC dealer and found a new engine is $4822. I thought that seems rediculious but you would have a brand new power plant and could maybe swap it out yourself and sell your old engine for parts or something. I don't see how a crank and set of bearings could cost four grand. Good luck with it,I am anxious to see how AC responds. Keep on riding MOREPROWLER2U
Supersession History
0800-033
SKU: 0800-027
Engine 1 $4,822.30
Supersession History
0800-033
SKU: 0800-027
Engine 1 $4,822.30
Thanks for thinking of my situation and doing some checking! I really appreciate it!! It occurs to me that I should point out that the $4k I am being quoted (estimated) in Cdn dollars--equivalent to about USD$3200. Still a great deal of money, mind you, and still $4k for me! (For me as a Canadian, $4k sounds the same as I imagine $4k would sound to an American--a substantial chunk of change.) I am hoping this week to hear more from the Arctic Cat rep and really hoping that we can work out some kind of deal which would allow me to go ahead with having our local dealer rebuild the engine. That way the work is guaranteed. If I buy an engine (unless it is new from Arctic Cat) they would not be able to stand behind it in any way. Anyway, will keep the forum posted.
A Good News update! Today I heard back from Arctic Cat factory rep who, as a gesture of pure good will, offered to cover the cost of the parts (about one half of the total bill). This speaks volumes about AC's commitment to customer service! Needless to say, I am happy to take them up on their offer and count myself a very satisfied and grateful customer. It makes me proud to own an Arctic Cat! Mind you, I also have concluded that the Prowler is not really cut out for the kind of plowing I was asking it to do. But otherwise it has been a fine machine and cannot be beat for getting around in the bush and for property chores. I will certainly be paying attention to the rads when I am spending time in deep snow in the future. Having said all that, three cheers for AC!!!
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155 Posts
i have been using my quad now for 5 years to plow a 1.5 km driveway and never had problems with snow or ice clogging rads. i live in Ontario Can. and have plowed often in -20 to -30 temps, fluids keep the rad quite hot therefore melting any snow that gets on it. just my experience!! ..glad to hear you're getting some help in your situation.
I am not sure how the rads on your quad are placed, but on the Prowler UTV they obviously can clog with snow--mind you, I was out for a long time, going back and forth trying to widen the road by gradually moving the banks back. Also it was very powdery snow that flies up everywhere and coats everything. In hindsight (always 20/20) I should have been paying attention to that possibility. Word to the wise out there!
You can keep the heat!
Different strokes for different folks! I love living in a territory 2x larger than AZ but with only 32,000 population. Lots and lots of space! And I don't mind the winters at all. Cold is easy. I can't take the heat!
Different strokes for different folks! I love living in a territory 2x larger than AZ but with only 32,000 population. Lots and lots of space! And I don't mind the winters at all. Cold is easy. I can't take the heat!
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