2012 Polaris Ranger 800

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 (NA) POLARIS RANGER 800. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE PASSENGER OBSERVED THAT HIS SEAT WAS VERY HOT. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF A FAILURE WITH THE SEAT SUPPORT BECAUSE IT WAS HOOKED TO THE HEAT SHIELD THAT WAS LOCATED ABOVE THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (WEEKENDER SPORTS, 141 W BRIDGE S, HOTCHKISS, CO 81419) WHERE THEY SUGGESTED ANOTHER SEAT; HOWEVER, THAT SEAT WAS IN WORSE CONDITION, SO THE CONTACT DECLINED. IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE SEAT FROM MELTING AND OBTAINING HEAT, THE CONTACT PLACED A PIECE OF ALUMINUM UNDERNEATH THE SEAT AND IN BETWEEN A PIECE OF WOOD; HOWEVER, THE ATTEMPT FAILED. DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER, THE PLASTIC MELTED MORE AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. THE PRESSURE FROM THE BODY WEIGHT ALSO PLACED A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THE HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE AND STATED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SEATS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: C4162165. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CONSIDER THE REPAIR COST AND THAT IT WOULD TAKE 4-6 WEEKS. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE ENGINEER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT, AFTER REVIEW, THEIR ENGINEERING WAS NOT THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PARTS AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

REAR SEAT ON PASSENGER SIDE MELTED ONTO A FRAME CROSS MEMBER NEAR THE ENGINE EXHAUST SYSTEM. INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO POLARIS CORPORATE VIA EMAIL. RESPONSE HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE HAD THE PLASTIC SEAT BOTTOM IGNITED RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

TEN MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE BEGAN USING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL; RUNNING BAD AFTER WARM-UP WITH MISFIRING, WOULD NOT IDLE CORRECTLY; ENGINE 'STALLING-OUT' DURING OPERATION AND DYING; ENGINE HARD TO START WHICH RESULTED IN 'SLACK' IN COMPONENTS; MIDDLE OF BACK-SEAT GOT TOO HOT FOR ANYONE TO SIT ON THE SEAT FOR VERY LONG RESULTING IN SLIGHT BURN TO BACK OF LEG AND/OR DISCOMFORT CAUSED FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT RISING-UP FROM MOTOR UNDERNEATH SEAT WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE/SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD; BIG GUSH OF AIR OUT OF SYSTEM WHEN HOOK UP FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE/FUEL-LINE VAPOR LOCK CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE HEAT IN ENGINE, RECOMMENDED FUEL FOR THIS VEHICLE BY DEALERSHIP WAS MID-GRADE GASOLINE (U.S. 87-93 AKI OCTANE RATING). POLARIS TECHNICIANS ASKED IF OPERATOR USING NON-ETHANOL GASOLINE (IF AVAILABLE, WHICH IT IS NOT IN OUR REMOTE AREA OF THE COUNTRY), THEY WENT ON TO SAY "...WITH POOR GRADE OR OLD FUEL THE FUEL COULD BOIL OR VAPORIZE ONCE THERE IS A GOOD HEAT SOAK IN THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN A VAPOR LOCK ISSUE, THE VAPORS WILL REPLACE FUEL IN THE RAIL AND WILL WORK ITS WAY BACK TOWARDS THE FUEL TANK'. TECH SWAPPED OUT IAC (IDLE AIR CONTROL) VALVE & TPS (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR) SENSOR; REFLASHED VEHICLE, PERFORMED 'LEAK-DOWN TEST' LOSING 18% ON MAG (MAGNETO/RIGHT PISTON) SIDE/14% ON PTO (POWER TAKE OFF) SIDE; VEHICLE INSTALLED WITH NEW FUEL PUMP. TECH TRIED NEW COIL & REPLACED COMPLETE SET OF FUEL INJECTORS AND WIRES; VEHICLE INSTALLED