Bobcat, the North Dakota-based American company, is the world leader in the compact equipment industry and offers the highest quality utility vehicles that ensure superior toughness and reliability.
The Bobcat 3400 UTV model is no exception ensuring the perfect balance of power, quality, performance, and reliability. It’s the perfect example of a well-built and well-equipped machine that lets you smoothly complete even the most demanding job.
Despite all these features, Bobcat 3400 still has some technical downsides because of which consumers can encounter some common issues while riding this.
So, let’s learn about the 5 most common problems that one might experience with the Bobcat 3400 UTV-
Common Problems of the Bobcat 3400:
1. Problem With The Electronic fuel injection Or EFI
Based on several consumers reports, the 2012 version Bobcat 3400 gas UTV models have issues, such as engines starving for fuel, stalling, missing, and even engine misfiring or backfiring.
Some also claim that after a further investigation, they found out they do not have a dirty or clogged fuel pump and still have this commotion on their vehicles.
One particular 2012 Bobcat UTV user mentioned that he was encountering all those earlier mentioned symptoms.
And when he pulled out the fuel pump to inspect further, he surprisingly found no leakage or any other issue on his fuel pump, and the pump also looked perfectly clean.
Usually, this kind of occurrence is a possible indication of insufficient fuel pressure.
Sometimes, it can also happen when your fuel system and electrical wiring or terminals covers with an excessive volume of corrosion and external debris.
Also, when your pressure gauge is turned faulty or damaged, it can give you the wrong reading.
Therefore, the best thing to do is to test the fuel pressure with a tester. Also, check the entire fuel system thoroughly and clean up the fuel system and all electrical connections, if required.
Do not forget to check on your pressure gauge’s condition and replace it if needed.
2. Trouble In Diesel Shifting
According to a group of Bobcat 3400 users, some of the previous models only shift gears when it’s off or when they rock the unit forward and backward.
One particular user even mentioned that he was constantly having gear shifting issues and he even experienced very rough shifts when the gear originally shifted.
As a result, he was forced to shut down the engine and had to rock the engine in order to free the clutch so that the gear shifter can start shifting. He even noticed notably low hours while having those issues.
But the sad news is that he ends up replacing both clutches with new ones without figuring out the actual issue and the problem stayed as it was earlier.
Well, guessing that the main culprit can be the primary or secondary clutch was not entirely wrong, but you need to be sure first before you actually take the action.
There can be other parts or components involvement causing this shifting trouble too.
However, mostly secondary clutch is the main suspect in this situation since it only stores the output shaft at the location where shifting would be almost impossible.
So, to confirm it check whether the secondary clutch is spinning at idle or not.
After that, check your primary clutch whether it sticks a little off the throttle and jerks back, which can cause penetrating clutch weights or wasted bushings.
Another possible reason behind this shifting trouble can be the belt when you do not have an OEM belt.
3. The Four-wheel Drive Fails To Engage
Some bobcat 3400 owners have also complained about their encounters where the four-wheel-drive does not engage property even when the four-wheel-drive lights are on.
Generally, when the four-wheel-drive lights are on, it indicates that the drive is engaging correctly. But if it constantly jumps out when you put power into it, that simply confirms something is wrong with your four-wheel-drive system.
It can happen if you have not used your four-wheel drive for quite a long time. In that meantime, corrosion has already built against the parts and the actuator which are responsible for engaging.
Remember, the four-wheel-drive used in the Bobcat UTV is not powerful and strong enough to engage it through the build-up corrosion.
Also, note that experts suggest engaging and driving the four-Wheel Drive for a while once a month to keep it clean and active.
Another possible reason can be the false alert from your Four-wheel drive light. It can happen when the ECU loses the connection or contact with the Transfer case actuator motor or the front different actuator.
Also, the service light turning “On” can indicate the bad switch, sensor, or 4WD linkage.
4. Problem With The Drive Belt
Although I have already mentioned earlier belt and clutch can cause issues while explaining the other problems, several users have confirmed to encounter real trouble with the 2011 Bobcat 3400 because of the drive belt.
One particular 2011 version user has mentioned that initially, he loved riding the UTV and had no complaints at all. But after some time, he noticed that gradually it started to take a few revs above idle to get the clutches for shifting.
He also added that when it starts working again, the clutches grab hard, as if lurching the vehicle, and even on the low traction surfaces, it breaks the traction.
As a result, driving up to a precise point at a low range or reverse becomes extremely difficult.
The most obvious reason can be the bad, broken, or loose drive belt.
In such situations, you can do a couple of things, such as adjusting the sheave width on your secondary CVT to get proper belt diversion, or you can simply replace the belt.
5. Recall Due To Cracked Exhaust Header Pipes
This is most probably the only major issue that happened to the Bobcat 3400 series.
The company initially received several consumers complaints about the 2015 Bobcat 3400 UTV models.
Consumers noticed that their vehicle’s exhaust header pipes were cracking and had the potential chance of extreme burn or fire hazards.
The company immediately got involved to investigate thoroughly. And according to reports, this complaint was not only about the 2015 versions, but also included the 2018 versions.
The company also acknowledged that the exhaust header pipes were faulty or not assembled accurately, and this was a factory malfunctioning issue caused by a lack of attention from their production unit.
Later in August 2018, the company recalled a total of 2,700 units of 3400 and 3400XL UTV models.
However, the good news is that according to reports, no actual fire explosions or injuries occurred.
What Majority of the Users Feel About Bobcat 3400?
While researching and going through several online reviews, articles, blogs, and user forums to see how the consumers feel and react after owning the Bobcat 3400 UTV model, I discovered that most users are quite satisfied with their experiences.
Some owners have mentioned that besides all the amazing features, the Bobcat 3400 is not the best option when considering a vehicle for straight-line performance.
However, some have also mentioned the problems, which I have already discussed earlier.
Final Thoughts
Bobcat 3400 UTV model is a formidable competitor, which comes with a continuously variable transmission or CVT for dealing with the toughest jobs, where other UTVs cannot even attempt to perform. However, just like any other top vehicle, Bobcat 3400 also has its downsides, which leads the customers or owners to experience some common troubleshooting issues.
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