there is something wrong in the clutch the belts are slipping and over heating get a temp gauge!

 

I run a temp gauge on hard pack when I have the clutch cover on. In the sand I don't run a cover.

Are you doing full throttle starts in high gear? About the easiest way to drastically shorten belt life.

Not really, I just like to drive hard for a few minutes at a time. Once the car starts getting hot, I'll start cruising until we stop for a break.

Although you don't want to probably hear this, it's 99.9% your driving style. I don't know if you mash the gas pedal from the start, but you're doing something. Are you going for long cruises without varying speeds? I've always told people to drive a SXS like a 2 stroke dirt bike. On the gas, off the gas. On the gas, on the brakes. It gives the secondary chances to expand and contract, like it was made to do. If not, and the secondary doesn't do anything, it gets hot, and transfers the heat to the belt, and then BANG!

Although some don't buy into the break in period which includes washing a new belt with Dawn, I have always done that, and always have done heat cycles on the belt before getting on it. Works for me. These are just suggestions, do with them as you wish. Good luck.

Yes I'm sure it has to do with my driving style. I ride dirt bikes more than I drive my Can Am and treat it like a go kart when I'm driving. However, if I can't drive the way I want to with it then maybe it's time to get rid of it lol.

I've tried breaking in belts the recommended way and then just throwing one on there and I can honestly say I have never ever seen a difference. Not on my car or my 2 other friends who I go out with who also have 18' X3RS's. And I've easily replaced about 20 belts since owning this thing in the past year. I've tried it all minus buying full clutches.

To the OP, each time you blow a belt are you getting all the old belt fragments out and cleaning off the sheaves, or just throwing a new belt in? New belts also like a bit of an easy breakin before you romp on it.

Yes I'm removing every piece of the blown belt and making sure it's clean before installing a new one. I've tried breaking in belts and just running it right when I replace it and the life of the belt is the same for me.

Are the air inlet and outlets open?

Yes they are

belt aligned properly? does the secondary spin at an idle?

Yes to my knowledge and the last time I had it checked it was. Yes it does


Thanks for the help guys! Has anyone done the full clutch upgrades yet?

 

nothing wrong with the oem clutches on the x3
what have you done to the secondary clutch
evo does not have much clutching options
and everyone needs a belt temp gauge

 

Are you doing full throttle starts in high gear? About the easiest way to drastically shorten belt life.

 

Although you don't want to probably hear this, it's 99.9% your driving style. I don't know if you mash the gas pedal from the start, but you're doing something. Are you going for long cruises without varying speeds? I've always told people to drive a SXS like a 2 stroke dirt bike. On the gas, off the gas. On the gas, on the brakes. It gives the secondary chances to expand and contract, like it was made to do. If not, and the secondary doesn't do anything, it gets hot, and transfers the heat to the belt, and then BANG!

Although some don't buy into the break in period which includes washing a new belt with Dawn, I have always done that, and always have done heat cycles on the belt before getting on it. Works for me. These are just suggestions, do with them as you wish. Good luck.

 

Shutting the car down hot doesn't do the belt any favors with no cooling air flow. Spend a few minutes in neutral turning enough revs to engage the clutches, and flow some air with no load.

 

This helps some but takes a while. Aluminum holds heat for a long time. We usually let our cars idle for 5 minutes or so after a hard run while we stop for a cool drink and some shit talking.

 

Several belts each time out is NOT the driver. Likely an issue going on with HIS clutch setup.

FWIW I watched a LOT of fast tuned X3s (even Max) running the drag hill last weekend at Sand Mtn NV and never saw a one drop a belt at the hill.

 

To the OP, each time you blow a belt are you getting all the old belt fragments out and cleaning off the sheaves, or just throwing a new belt in? New belts also like a bit of an easy breakin before you romp on it.

 

Are the air inlet and outlets open?

 

belt aligned properly? does the secondary spin at an idle?

 

Here are some pics of my belt blowing money pit

 

I had mine trued but no floating secondary I do now get much longer belt life

 

Did a local shop do it for you?

Cant argue with you on the money pit but you shouldnt be blowing belts like that.

So if you’ve got a temp gauge what kind of numbers are you seeing?

I haven't ran it in the dirt in a few months so I can't remember off the top of my head. I've been running the car with the clutch cover off while in the sand.

There is a proper technique to check Allignment and that where I would start.

Can you share your proper technique or the instructions?

 

Cant argue with you on the money pit but you shouldnt be blowing belts like that.

So if you’ve got a temp gauge what kind of numbers are you seeing?

 

There is a proper technique to check Allignment and that where I would start.

 

Are you blowing belts on hardpack with the race tires, or just in the sand?

 

Both hard pack and sand

I would get rid of those paddles to start with

I’m swapping over to the smoothy fronts and skat trak rears. We’ll see if that does anything.

Is page 192 in my manual. I tried to take a pic but it’s not very good

Great, thank you!

 

I would get rid of those paddles to start with

 

Is page 192 in my manual. I tried to take a pic but it’s not very good

 

I would call Kris at kwi and talk with him. For the amount of money you've spent on belts I think he may have a better clutch solution.

 

Originally Posted by Megadesertdiesel - belt aligned properly? does the secondary spin at an idle?

Yes to my knowledge and the last time I had it checked it was. Yes it does



OP, you wrote ^^^^^ yes to my knowledge it does, you know the secondary is not supposed to spin at idle right? Only the primary on the left should spin. If the secondary is spinning at idle your one way bearing or clutches have issues and need to be serviced asap and prob is hard or clanks going in and out of gears / shifting.

also running evo stage 3, 32" tires or big paddles with stock clutching, no break in, drive it like you stole it is the issue.

you need a clutch kit to reduce belt slip. Its been said I am the resident belt eater here and typically I agree, but you got me beat on belt consumption by x2 or x3 and I have you by 20hp+ and run rippers.


please list the part numbers / brand of the belts your blowing. You may want to run the evo belt to at least get 2x the life but you will def loose rpm and need to get a clutch kit to run it

 

Correction, only the primary does. No issues shifting or clanking, the car runs great and really doesn't have many hours on it.

Yes, all those factors are definitely the cause fo the issue haha. Which clutch kit are you running? I currently purchase the 2018 can am belts that are newest ones. I'll have to go to my bucket of extra belts to see what the part number is.

 

Stand by for a water injection cooling system that has a patent pending from Assault Industries. Cools the belt by 45 deg F in 15 seconds. Secondarily, you are definitely having some form of belt slipping.

 

45 degrees in 15 seconds? I'd like to see that, sounds interesting, but unobtainable.

 

The green key might help you not to blow yr belts.

 

with heavy tires and E85 you need some serious weight on the primary or you're going to be replacing belts all the time, get a temp gauge for the belt. You may also want to consider changing the secondary to STM and run a more aggressive ramp on the helix works great for the sand

 

Hi there! Not sure if you’ve sorted out the issues but I own the 2017 xrs x3 and mainly run in the dunes and have blown my share of belts also! I know this is going to cause a lot of debate but I run with the cover off and have for nearly 600 miles and plan to inspect the clutches but have not noticed a lot of wear on them! I have put the weight kit in the secondary clutch. Seems to be best to run in low gear for a mile or so to warm the belt/clutches and after they have been warmed up the next thing I’ve learned is NOT to just stab the pedal to the floor from a dead stop, if I ease into the throttle and get rolling then floor it I get decent belt life and usually run the car hard as I just love climbing the biggest dune I can find!
I also have 31” sand tires unlimited on the rear and they’re tire on the front. I run the PSI usually @ 6-7 in front and 3-4 PAI in the rear. I also have the stage 3 tune with 2018 upgrade. I’ve blown @ 6 belts in a year and half in @ 700 miles and know this is caused by my driving style but if u get the clutches warmed and tend to ease into the throttle rather than full throttle from a dead stop I think you’ll get better belt life! Also I’ve been running the Gates brand with the Kevlar belt! Good l

 

Wow, interesting method.

 

I installed the RazorBack temp gauge, a long with an in-line air fan to blow more air through the belt case. I haven't blown a belt since. It came down that the problem was my driving so hard. Since the upgrades I dont have to change out the driver. Lol

 

hah, you just jinxed yourself, belt is going to blow next time you ride!!!!!

 

Did you clean your clutch intake filter. It makes a big difference in belt temp & its gets dirty fast. I did mine and belt temps dropped 60 deg. Told my buddy he got same result. Told a different buddy and his was dirty. The sand in glamis plugs the filter very fast. You need to remove the cover & filter. Air will not remove the sand you must use your fingers or a rag on both inside & out side of filter.

 

Did you clean your clutch intake filter. It makes a big difference in belt temp & its gets dirty fast. I did mine and belt temps dropped 60 deg. Told my buddy he got same result. Told a different buddy and his was dirty. The sand in glamis plugs the filter very fast. You need to remove the cover & filter. Air will not remove the sand you must use your fingers or a rag on both inside & out side of filter

Good to know sir. That's some really good info IMO!!

I run almost exclusively at Glamis. I was incredibly worried about blowing belts and the resulting collateral damage that that can cause. Given that, I installed an Aim BTG before my first trip. (along with all the CT strengthening stuff)

I've been riding Glamis for the better part of my life (since '84), and been riding anything with handlebars since long before that. I'm not the best, but I know what I'm doing and the folks I ride with REALLY know what they're doing. We run pretty hard most of the time. I'm not a hill shooter, or a whoop runner. They just aren't my thing,,,, didn't do it on my Dirtbikes,,,, didn't do it on my Quads. (needless abuse of the equipment IMO) I'll run a hill as hard as she'll go,,, but merely to get to the dunes on the other side. I like to dune, and we all like to flow. We flow fast, but we flow. The major hills ,for us, are resting points to watch others beat up their gear. No offense intended,,, to each their own. One of my best buds, will send his car through the whoops at the bottom of every hill just as fast as he can,,, he loves it, just not my bag.

My theory has always been "keep the power plant stock, and keep the car light as possible". I run a '19 XRS two seater. Stock everything, except suspension/lights/S&B. 32" Skats front/rear aired at about 12-14. I was worried about the 32's with stock clutching, but so far it hasn't left me wanting for anything. No Craftsman tool box, no spare tire, no cage, bumpers, "Bumpin Stereo", or huge ice chest. Enough tools to change a belt and fix a tire or be towed back to camp,,, anything else can be repaired at camp. All my tools fit under my seat.

Have said that,,, when we are running at a decent pace, my belt temps are in the 120's. (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb) When we are getting after it HARD, they are in the low 140's. NEVER seen higher temp than 145. (calibrated the Aim when I installed it)

I currently have just over 500 sand miles on my OEM belt. I pulled it to install a seal guard after our last trip and it looks great. (didn't mic it, but I need to) I'm sure some gents will think that if I haven't blown a belt yet, then I'm just putting around and not "running it hard". I'd disagree with that, and I believe so would anyone that's ever ridden with me.

After seeing my temps and how we run, I believe many of the belt failure issues are from our overwhelming desire (as men) to make these things EVEN FASTER than they already are, and WAY heavier than they were ever intended to be. (and of course, how we choose to run them)

Weight+Power+Sand = HIGH wear and tear, regardless of the product being driven.

Big thanks to the OP for his info,,, I will keep a very close eye on my CVT filter.