Problems I've seen here, other forums and heard of on 08 & 09 Thundercat ATV's
1. Spike load dampener starts slipping easily; Same replacement part #'s 08 & 09's
2. Engine Split case gasket oil leaking; Same Silly putty used as gasket 08 & 09's.
3. Hot Start Issue; New part number for the front cam on 09's (ADDRESSED)
4. Water pump leaks; Same replacement part numbers 08 & 09's I've seen 3 bad 09's
5. Leaking Seals on engine; Same replacement part numbers 08 & 09's
6. U-joints bearings seizing; Same replacement part numbers 08 & 09's
7. A-Arm bushings; Same replacement part numbers 08 & 09's
8. Air cleaner cover cap warps and leaks; New part number for the cover on 09's (ADDRESSED)
9. Tubing on racks breaking at welds; Same replacement part numbers 08 & 09's unless you get the upgraded rack. New RACKS ARE JUNK only half welded.
10. Oil cooler lines leaking at clamps, Needs tightened and double clamped. This was a service bulletin on 05 650 H1's surprised this is still an issue.
11. Fuel gauges are inaccurate 90% of the time.
12. Starter failing; New part number for the starter on 09's (ADDRESSED)
13. Weld breaking on ring gear pin in front differential, causing case to self destruct and split open or lock up. An issue on 700 H1 as well from what I've read? maybe other models too??? Could be a serious safety concern if the front locks up while at speed.
14. Exhaust breaking at the point where 2 pipes join into 1.
15. ?????? is this the entire list of re-occurring problems??????
From what I've been able to tell by researching part numbers and via discussion here and other sources. There has been very little changes on the Thundercat between 08's and 09's when it comes to addressing issues that many owners have experienced. Some claim the 09's are better?? If the 09's use the same parts as the 08's just why would the 09's be better? I'm thinking many of the problems the many of the first 08's were having did get addressed and upgraded by the second run (late 08's) Part numbers were not available until late spring 08 so there may of been changes between early 08's and later 08's part numbers.
There is a 2009 Tcat Demo quad at the local dealers that has oil leaks, leaking water pump already with less than a 60 miles on it.
A-arm bushings and fuel gauges are a problem on ALL arctic cats. Because of the weight of the Tcat and TRV's I believe you'll see worn out A-arm bushings sooner on heavier bikes. My own T-cat has had all problems listed above except for #1 Spike load dampener and #3 Hot start issue, #12 & #13. None of the problems I've had, occurred right away, not until after 700-750 miles is when problems started showing up. Until then I didn't have a single issue, I thought I was lucky and treating it nice enough. Now it seems like lately every time I look at it closely, something else is wrong. I've got about 935 miles on it now. I've rode it hard, but I've not abused it, the Tcat has seen better treatment then my 650 H1 with twice the mileage and it (H1) hasn't had any problems at all.
Until Arctic cat addresses all of these issues with upgraded parts to CURE the problems, I suspect they will repeat every 750-1000 miles +/-. Why wouldn't they, Replace a weak part with the same part and expect different results?? I don't think so.
Until Arctic cat addresses these problems, I will not recommend the Thundercat to anyone unless they are aware of these issues and are willing to deal with and live with them. Got to admit I'm hooked on Big bore ATV's now, my 650H1 is so boring to ride anymore. My 650H1 is a beast, Runs good, has been through hell without taking any shortcuts and has never let me down mechanically or had any problems. I also had a 2002 400 manual that was also just as durable as the H1 is. Sure was counting on the H2 being the same.
1. Spike load dampener starts slipping easily; Same replacement part #'s 08 & 09's
2. Engine Split case gasket oil leaking; Same Silly putty used as gasket 08 & 09's.
3. Hot Start Issue; New part number for the front cam on 09's (ADDRESSED)
4. Water pump leaks; Same replacement part numbers 08 & 09's I've seen 3 bad 09's
5. Leaking Seals on engine; Same replacement part numbers 08 & 09's
6. U-joints bearings seizing; Same replacement part numbers 08 & 09's
7. A-Arm bushings; Same replacement part numbers 08 & 09's
8. Air cleaner cover cap warps and leaks; New part number for the cover on 09's (ADDRESSED)
9. Tubing on racks breaking at welds; Same replacement part numbers 08 & 09's unless you get the upgraded rack. New RACKS ARE JUNK only half welded.
10. Oil cooler lines leaking at clamps, Needs tightened and double clamped. This was a service bulletin on 05 650 H1's surprised this is still an issue.
11. Fuel gauges are inaccurate 90% of the time.
12. Starter failing; New part number for the starter on 09's (ADDRESSED)
13. Weld breaking on ring gear pin in front differential, causing case to self destruct and split open or lock up. An issue on 700 H1 as well from what I've read? maybe other models too??? Could be a serious safety concern if the front locks up while at speed.
14. Exhaust breaking at the point where 2 pipes join into 1.
15. ?????? is this the entire list of re-occurring problems??????
From what I've been able to tell by researching part numbers and via discussion here and other sources. There has been very little changes on the Thundercat between 08's and 09's when it comes to addressing issues that many owners have experienced. Some claim the 09's are better?? If the 09's use the same parts as the 08's just why would the 09's be better? I'm thinking many of the problems the many of the first 08's were having did get addressed and upgraded by the second run (late 08's) Part numbers were not available until late spring 08 so there may of been changes between early 08's and later 08's part numbers.
There is a 2009 Tcat Demo quad at the local dealers that has oil leaks, leaking water pump already with less than a 60 miles on it.
A-arm bushings and fuel gauges are a problem on ALL arctic cats. Because of the weight of the Tcat and TRV's I believe you'll see worn out A-arm bushings sooner on heavier bikes. My own T-cat has had all problems listed above except for #1 Spike load dampener and #3 Hot start issue, #12 & #13. None of the problems I've had, occurred right away, not until after 700-750 miles is when problems started showing up. Until then I didn't have a single issue, I thought I was lucky and treating it nice enough. Now it seems like lately every time I look at it closely, something else is wrong. I've got about 935 miles on it now. I've rode it hard, but I've not abused it, the Tcat has seen better treatment then my 650 H1 with twice the mileage and it (H1) hasn't had any problems at all.
Until Arctic cat addresses all of these issues with upgraded parts to CURE the problems, I suspect they will repeat every 750-1000 miles +/-. Why wouldn't they, Replace a weak part with the same part and expect different results?? I don't think so.
Until Arctic cat addresses these problems, I will not recommend the Thundercat to anyone unless they are aware of these issues and are willing to deal with and live with them. Got to admit I'm hooked on Big bore ATV's now, my 650H1 is so boring to ride anymore. My 650H1 is a beast, Runs good, has been through hell without taking any shortcuts and has never let me down mechanically or had any problems. I also had a 2002 400 manual that was also just as durable as the H1 is. Sure was counting on the H2 being the same.