A Friend Needs Help - 2015 F3S

[Dan McNally]

A friend is on a cross-country trip and is having an issue. Here is what he wrote - does anyone have any idea of what is going on his 2015 F3S?

I'll pass on to him (over phone text msg) what I hear. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

". . . but the Spyder doesn't sound good. Oil is full and fine but sounds like its got gravel in it. Kind of like it was eating up a ring and grinding it down. No codes thrown at all. Had noticed a spongy clutch, almost absent on three or four occasions but it came back to full tension. We're out of web contact but I remember someone else's post being similar "

 

[Centurion]

I would recommend that he goes to the nearest dealer and have it checked out. Why risk getting stranded?

 

[Dan McNally]

He and his wife are in an RV, towing the Spyder. He is a handy guy, and, as we all know, sometimes it is something simple. That is why I am asking, for him - he is not going to be stranded, but he and the Mrs. have been having a ball doing the sightseeing on their Spyder, and a trip to a dealer would cut into that. He is in the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin, right now.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

THIS LADY HAD SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS SIMIAR

Shoot a PM to " YAZZ " ( Joy )........Mike

 

[Tazzel]

The F3 does sound like peebles being shaken in a can. But if it is sounding different I would have it checked out by dealer

 

[BeRight]

My F3-S has the same sound as your friends - I took it to same dealer that BRP replaced engine in another F3-S because of this sound. Dealer agreed with me that it was the same sound - took video and forwarded to BRP. BRP response: that is what most sound like (not all) and no longer a concern.

I guess one might say it is a feature now.

My recommendation to your friend is to take it to his dealer and have a formal submittal of issue to BRP - that way he will be on record - in case a problem does occur in the future and is because of this "pebble grinding noise."

Can't help him with clutch issue since I have an SE6.

 

[jcthorne]

Mine makes no sound like rocks being ground up. That sounds pretty bad at least in my mind.

There is a bit of mechanical 'sewing machine' noise from the valve train but that's about it other than exhaust note.

To the OP, it really sounds like his clutch is coming apart and in this engine, that can mean a destroyed engine and trans in short order. It needs to go to a dealer if it sounds like he is describing.

 

[OJ UK]

Spongy clutch then grinding noise could indicate a seized clutch thrust bearing....

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: with JC:

:shocked: The clutch... :banghead:

 

[spydaman60]

well, the trip is over, the spyder is at the dealers, and this is what they have found. upon inspection of the bike they found the belt to be worn in some spots as thin as an elastic band. they pulled it off and noticed the front sprocket had damage which caused the belt problem. the front sprocket has a lip or "rim" if you will, on each side of it to keep it aligned with the rear. the inside rim had broken off and thus the rattling sound. now, what that has to do with the clutch seeming spongy on two or three occasions, i cannot say, but until they get the sprocket replaced and a new belt on her, they can't go any farther in the diagnosis. the tech believes this is the only problem, and i have to agree with him as it is highly unlikely that two things would go wrong simultaneously. all i can say is that i am glad we trailered it when we heard the noise, as i would have hated to have the belt snap going down the highway at 70 or 80 mph. thanks for the responses and will keep you posted!:thumbup: