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2011 Arctic Cat 425 EFI Eating Belts

ath1981

By ath1981
in Arctic Cat ATV Forum

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ath1981 Rookie

ath1981

Posted
Posted

Got a 2011 425 EFI. It eat 2 belts, so I replaced the drive clutch assy, rollers, spacer and movable face. Put on a new belt and after 30 min of riding, it eat another belt. any clue what can be causing this?

  • Admin changed the title to 2011 Arctic Cat 425 EFI Eating Belts
Mech Grand Master

Mech

Posted
Posted

Well I don't have any experience with them but I've read that if the distance between the engine and the gearbox isn't correct the belt can flap and hit the case and self destruct.. It will all be messy now but you might be able to see a polished or rubbed bit inside the case to indicate it had been hitting for a while..

mikeexplorer Mentor

mikeexplorer

Posted
Posted

Sounds like you did the clutch update. I did that with my 2012 model because the movable face inner was worn and it wiggled on the shaft causing the belt to get real hot and slip.

Even with the worn parts, belt didn't burn up. Are you using the correct belt and did you install it correctly? They have arrows on them because they are directional.

Mike

 

  • 1 month later...
Mech Grand Master

Mech

Posted
Posted

If they are getting torn to pieces then I'd suspect they are hitting/touching the case..  probably only at certain revs when the belt flexes and flaps.. 

I'd leave the cover off and either sit there revving it watching for excessive belt flapping, or go for a ride and see if the belt survives without the cover on.

  • 2 years later...
jen Mentor

jen

Posted
Posted

Interesting post...I bet this is common.  Been there Done that. 

1. Aftermarket belts will not stand up to the heat,,,only use OEM...tried that and wasted $$ on cheaper aftermarket belts

2. Belt replacements require both secondary and primary clutches be taken apart and relubed...I would not use factory ..OEM..lube.  I would use Tinkseal lube  You tube has videos for relubing clutches.

3. If there are slight groves in sheaves of clutches replace.  I am talking 0.004 " smooth groves where the belt has worn into aluminum sheave!    If you get OEM part number you can usually safey get an OEM replacement from Ebay etc...I did ..caveat emptor...buyer beware!

  • Like 1
mikeexplorer Mentor

mikeexplorer

Posted
Posted
On 9/7/2025 at 7:25 AM, jen said:

Interesting post...I bet this is common.  Been there Done that. 

1. Aftermarket belts will not stand up to the heat,,,only use OEM...tried that and wasted $$ on cheaper aftermarket belts

2. Belt replacements require both secondary and primary clutches be taken apart and relubed...I would not use factory ..OEM..lube.  I would use Tinkseal lube  You tube has videos for relubing clutches.

3. If there are slight groves in sheaves of clutches replace.  I am talking 0.004 " smooth groves where the belt has worn into aluminum sheave!    If you get OEM part number you can usually safey get an OEM replacement from Ebay etc...I did ..caveat emptor...buyer beware!

1: True, OEM belts are $$$ but they last. I had an aftermarket one on Michelle's quad and it did not hold up. (had no choice, OEM out of stock at the time) The belt was starting to come apart and only lasted 2,500 miles. OEM belts I usually get 6,000 plus miles. 

2: True/False  Depends on the machine. Arctic cats do not use lube They use a wet clutch for the main clutch, but the primary/secondary CVT is dry.

3: Have not seen this, I have/had machines with up to 16,000 miles on them with no sheave wear. 

 

jen Mentor

jen

Posted
Posted

Here is the 0.004 in groves.  At top of picture is remains of the aftermarket belt...it exploded.   Also The Yamaha calls for 3 oz of grease.  Her is how i lubed it and only used < 3 oz. of Tinkseal.

image.thumb.png.a3f67f6a722e863b1249620b226ff8a0.pngimage.thumb.jpeg.3d4fbe81c735c7e3b3be734f0beb9f0d.jpegimage.thumb.png.101f0db6bc058679f3dfcfb487cfcb45.png

  • Like 1
jen Mentor

jen

Posted
Posted

The groves were about  1/2 inch depressions.  and at the deepest point 0.004 in deep.  I mic'd the aftermarket belt width. It was exactly to spec's of Yamaha; however did not lasy.

Maybe you can see better here...image.thumb.png.ba08237fbf40f54cb1b269e6a3df97c8.png

jen Mentor

jen

Posted
Posted

yes that is what I did...OEM belt.  Replaced primary clutch ...Then before  installing the cover I started him up and watched the sheaves open and close as I throttled him.  "Mr. Always Ready" is always ready again...LOL

  • Like 1

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