Snowmobile Repair: clutch problem?, carman manitoba, john fox

Question
Hi, I have a 1999 Skidoo FIII 700 that i just bought. I think I have a problem in my primary clutch. the sled performs really well all the way up to 60mph and then it falls on its face. I had a friend of mine,experienced with sleds, ride it and he said that to him it seems as though it is upshifting to soon, and pulling the motor out of the power band. Off the line the engine revs to 8000 or so, but after cruising at 30mph if you hit the throttle it only will rev to 7000. The person who I bought it from had done some racing with it. he had played with the carbs and the clutching. He said that he had returned everything to factory when I got it. I have spoke to my local dealer and made sure to set up the seconadry properly, but I do not have a puller to remove the primary correctly. I am NOT running a skidoo belt I am running a Gates Xtreme, can that be causing all these problems? could it also be that there is a problem withthe carbs? Thanks for your help
John Fox
Carman, Manitoba, Canada

Answer
Hello John,

  Sounds like the previous owner may not have put every thing back together properly. As far as the belt as concerned, a Gates for a Doo of that year is part # 38X5140. If your belt is the same number, then you are fine there. I suspect the carbs. I would recommend removing them, and checking them over internally, to make sure there is nothing loose, missing, or stuck. Another critical thing to check is the rubber carb boots/flanges, that connect the carbs to the intake manifold. They could be loose or cracked, especially on a sled that has been modded before, as the racers always seem to be removing the carbs, re-jetting them, and installing them again. If the carbs check fine, the last resort would be to buy the clutch puller and remove the primary for inspection. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck with the sled! --Arcticatman