[Vincent]

I know this directly goes against forum rules and this thread will most likely be deleted but I thought it was well worth sharing with you guys.

https://www.grizzlycentral.com/forum/grizzly-engine-transmission/110695-possible-708-service-bulletin.html


https://www.grizzlycentral.com/forum/grizzly-talk/110187-708-update-kit.html

 

[Primethious]

We're all in this together so I don't see why that should cause an issue...bookmarked.

 

[JimP]

The problem that I see with what was posted is that it is still up to the owner to try and work with their dealer to get it covered by Yamaha or it is on the owners dime.

 

[Nomad]

This is great news but I firmly believe Yamaha should be covering all costs. But, I guess it's better than the alternative as I have been planning on getting the top end of my 16 done this summer and that was going to be totally my cost. Hope this comes to fruition but I am skeptical. I emailed Yamaha again 2 weeks ago concerning oil consumption. This is the second time and I have yet to get a response from either correspondence.
How this all plays out may determine wether or not I ever purchase another Yamaha. As it stands now, I don't envision a point where I ever own another one. Yes.....I'm a grudge holder lol.

 

[Vincent]

This is actually true. It's already documented. All that is left now before releasing the kit is paperwork.

This kit will be released as a service bulletin. It will replace the piston and cylinder and few more parts, but I can't remember what. Too lazy to look again too.
It will be valid for 5 years from date of manufacture of the machine, which means the 2016 guys will have 2 years coverage as of right now. The service bulletin will only be completed with the new parts if you have a burning oil issue and you bring it into the dealer. The dealer will first confirm the issue of the oil burning is not from a sinking, lack of maintenance or abuse, etc.
If all ok, the service bulletin will be completed and you'll basically end up with a complete new top end on your engine.

Hope this turns out and Yamaha steps up to the plate, cause too many owners have been left helpless.

 

[Primethious]

This is great news but I firmly believe Yamaha should be covering all costs. But, I guess it's better than the alternative as I have been planning on getting the top end of my 16 done this summer and that was going to be totally my cost. Hope this comes to fruition but I am skeptical. I emailed Yamaha again 2 weeks ago concerning oil consumption. This is the second time and I have yet to get a response from either correspondence.
How this all plays out may determine wether or not I ever purchase another Yamaha. As it stands now, I don't envision a point where I ever own another one. Yes.....I'm a grudge holder lol.

Reminded me of an old commercial.

 

[Nomad]

Reminded me of an old commercial.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE1dFHmFCRk

Lol. I would wager that if I was physically capable of throwing the Kodiak through the front window, the dealership would have been more than accomodating regarding my issues.

 

[maineboy]

what exactly were the issues people were having with the 708s??? I have the '16 EPS model kodiack and didnt experience any problem other than a few low speed stalls that some owners mentioned on here--but those were few and far between..what are specific problems with the '16 708 engine??

 

[Vincent]

what exactly were the issues people were having with the 708s??? I have the '16 EPS model kodiack and didnt experience any problem other than a few low speed stalls that some owners mentioned on here--but those were few and far between..what are specific problems with the '16 708 engine??

Some have had oil burning issues. ( blue smoke).

Either from valve guides / seals or faulty piston rings / cylinder.

 

[dsiegfried]

So interestingly enough some of you had followed my misgivings with my 2018 SE and Yamaha. ( Summary, I had a cracked lower crankcase with 6 miles on my unit and not because I ran over something.) It took Yamaha 3 months of dithering around with repeated pics, oil analysis etc, about if they were going to cover the repairs or not. (Still under 6 month factory warranty) In order to fix the problem, they had to install a brand new crank case and in essence rebuild my entire engine. Viola, it runs like a top (knock on wood) and NO smoke on start up. When I first bought it, there would be a little tinge of blue smoke on start up and after 5-10 min of warming up it would go away. Now when I start it up, there is some condensation that comes out of the pipe for a minute or so, but no blue rings and no oil smell like when it was new new. I also noticed that she doesn't run as hot as she did before and the exhaust manifold isn't cherry red like it was prior to the rebuild. So are some units coming out of the factory all jacked up with the valves off? Oil getting past the rings? Poor seating of the rings? Not that I would want to voluntarily go through another rebuild, but mine sure runs noticeably better after the shop rebuilt it. I also didn't "hot rod" it or tell them to do anything different other than put everything back together and not have any extra parts when they were done!! It will be interesting if anything unfolds at corporate level with the 16-18' units

 

[Nomad]

I messaged the salesman ( that sold me my 16) today and he hasn't heard anything of this service bulletin.



Edit: just got an email from the service manager and it is in fact true. The kits will be out later in the spring.

 

[Vincent]

I messaged the salesman ( that sold me my 16) today and he hasn't heard anything of this service bulletin.



Edit: just got an email from the service manager and it is in fact true. The kits will be out later in the spring.

Thanks for posting that!

 

[Nomad]

Thanks for posting that!

Thanks, for bringing this to my/our attention. I hate my Kodiak a little less today lol.

 

[Rexall]

Have a 2016 SE with 6000 miles and no oil burning issues. That said, back in the days of the oil burning 660's Yamaha paid for parts & 1/2 the labor, including new design piston, rings etc but admitted nothing. Their official statement was that they are always striving for product improvements.

 

[Nomad]

Been reflecting on this a bit over the last 2 days and I've decided that if this costs me a dime out of my own pocket, I will be pursuing legal action to recover my expenses. No way should the consumer have to pay to fix a product that left the manufacturer with a built in defect. It's absolutely ludicrous for Yamaha to expect otherwise.

 

[Vincent]

Been reflecting on this a bit over the last 2 days and I've decided that if this costs me a dime out of my own pocket, I will be pursuing legal action to recover my expenses. No way should the consumer have to pay to fix a product that left the manufacturer with a built in defect. It's absolutely ludicrous for Yamaha to expect otherwise.

I 100% understand your frustration, and support what you feel is just.

 

[Nomad]

I 100% understand your frustration, and support what you feel is just.

I'll tell you what prompted me to decide to go the legal route if I have to. I was talking to a gentleman I know who has experience with this sort of situation . He fought Chrysler Canada over a jeep that he purchased new that was rife with problems including a roof that wouldn't seal to the body because it was twisted. It took 18 months and arbitration but he won and Chrysler had to reimburse him every nickle he paid for it.

 

[Nomad]

Stopped at the dealer this morning to get the latest on this situation. The dealers are still waiting on Yamaha. I am on the list for the kit. The service manager was off today but I spoke to a mechanic who told me the issues that have been plaguing a lot of 16's aren't exclusive to the top ends and they are not quite sure what Yamaha is going to do yet.

 

[Nomad]

Stopped in the dealer today for an update. Owner said Yamaha told him a couple of weeks ago that the kits will not be available til September. I saw the list of bikes the dealer has to be fixed. Mine is one of 13.

 

[TRW]

I bought a 2016 and after lots of discussion with the dealer, on lots of issues, they did some work on it and then made me pay for the repair. Then more issues, and I could not get them to say they would fix it, under warranty, when they would not, I sold it with full disclosure, for $4500.00. I had paid $7000 with tax, so this was a big hit. After asking many opinions on this site, I bought a new 18 last November and it has worked well.

What really upset me was they were going to charge me for an evaluation, and then would not give me an idea on a repair cost. I have not been back to that dealer!

Anyone got a clue on whether I might get something from Yamaha?