8 Common Problems With the Cfmoto ZForce 950

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The CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 is more than your basic four-wheeler made in China.

It is a top-of-the-line utility vehicle that can go head-to-head with the big brands in the ATV industry.

However, because it is a recent competitor, it is yet to perfect its vehicle design and structure.

Problems with the CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 arise from a lack of maintenance, and abuse of the machinery.

The following is a list of the most common CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 problems that you should be aware of.

1. Fuel Leak

A while ago, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said that they were recalling their 2020 ZFORCE 950 side-by-sides.

This was because of a few reported mishaps, one of which ended in an engine fire.

No injuries or casualties were sustained.

The fuel line fitting in the ZFORCE 950 failed to lock securely onto the fuel injector inlet.

This led to the spilling of fuel onto the hot engine parts which immediately ignited.

It threatened a serious fire hazard.

The recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission affected approximately 500 units.

The models involved in the recall were the 2020 ZFORCE 950 Sport ROV with a 963cc 4-cycle engine.

2. Unstable Idle Speed

Many owners of CFMOTO vehicles have also reported that the vehicle’s idle speed is usually unstable. Especially during or after the warm-up period or at any given time.

Sometimes, problems with idle speed occur unpredictably whenever electric components are turned on or are excessively high.

Sadly, there is no way to correct the engine idle speed because of the vehicle’s fuel injection system.

This means that any adjustments have to be done at the factory.

Reach out to your dealer for service at once if you notice erratic idle speed settings.

It may lead to poor engine performance and eventually, damage.

Keep in mind that at operating temperature, the idle speed of your ZFORCE engine should be 1300 RPM ± 100 RPM.

3. Unusual Acceleration

Although the magazine tests for the 4×4 have been positive, the opposite is the case for the ATV/UTV tests.

There are reports of the acceleration feeling underpowered and restrained, even for brand-new models.

The engine of the CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 is always stellar at reduced speeds, which is a shame.

If you notice this in your vehicle, then you should carry out an inspection at once.

Check if your ZFORCE has a bad throttle position sensor or old or low-grade gas.

You might also notice this if you’ve been taking it into extremely dusty areas.

The first thing to do when carrying out an inspection is to check the fuel lines.

And then the valve, fuel filter, and stock air filter.

If you still cannot pinpoint any issues, then take it to the nearest dealer for assistance.

4. Poor Brake Performance

One of the most frequently reported problems of the CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 is its weak brakes.

Everyone assumes that the brakes would not perform as excellently within break-in.

But this should not also be the case after the said period.

Owners would almost instantly change the brake pads to fix the problem.

However, the correct solution is to first bleed the brakes and then replace the brake fluid.

The stopping power of your quad will be greatly improved when you do these.

What’s more? They’re straightforward and economical steps.

5. Engine Refuses To Start

If you have encountered this problem, it means that the engine cannot rotate.

Sometimes, it is able to rotate but fails to start the engine.

Also, in rare instances, this issue is followed by error codes P0351-P0352 and P0122.

Typically, other things can cause an engine to refuse to start. A few of them are:

a weak battery,
a low ignition circuit or ECM voltage,
insufficient voltage reaching the coils.
oil in the engine.

To fix this, check the main fuse and the cable connections then test them before and after the fuse.

You should also turn the crank at the same time to observe if the voltage is below 12V.

If it is below 12V, then that would explain why the engine has refused to start.

6. Bad or Odd Engine Noise

If the noise your engine makes sounds like loud rattling or knocking sounds, then this could indicate pressure sensor issues.

Other possible problems include those pertaining to the valve train, oil filter, or connecting rod/bearing.

The best step would be not to attempt to restart the vehicle if the engine noise sounds serious.

Find out what is making the engine sound like that. Then get ready to pull down your quad in the process.

First, confirm that the oil filter does not have any metal flakes or other types of obstruction.

Check the clutch plate to see if it is loose as this can sometimes bring about this problem.

If your vehicle recently went through a rebuild, then it is likely the rattling is from incorrect or substandard parts.

7. Rear or Front Suspension Too Hard or Soft

This problem usually arises from a structural flaw in the lower rear A-arms.

When there is a hole in the bushing tube of this part, it creates an opening.

This then enables grease to pass through from the bushing to the A-arm frame.

Even though this is a well-known-about problem, every A-arm has a similar design.

This means dealerships are unable to replace or solve the issue.

Greasing all those parts prior to taking it out on a ride is a temporary solution.

A bulletin was put out by CFMOTO. In it, they stated that the company would cover the cost of fixing the faulty lower A-arms.

If you’re buying a brand-new CFMOTO ZFORCE, check to ensure that the lower A-arm problem has been fixed.

8. Overheating of the Engine

Virtually all 4×4 vehicles have this problem, particularly those UTVs and ATVs built for a specific purpose.

If a quad can perform many functions, it has a higher tendency to be overworked by the owners.

If the engine is also not properly and regularly maintained, these two factors can make it overheat.

These are some additional factors which can prevent heat from leaving the engine compartment of the CFMOTO ZFORCE 950:

Dirty radiator fan
Blocked coolant hose
A leak at any point in the cooling system
Damaged water pump
Putting the vehicle in high gear when you are moving at a slow speed consistently.

The following are a few ways to prevent your CFMOTO ZFORCE engine from overheating.

Ensure that the radiator has a sufficient coolant and is routinely checked for damage.
Affix a digital radiator fan to your vehicle or a high-pressure radiator cap.
You should use a recovery tank to function as a reservoir for excess coolant.
When you are riding, keep monitoring your ambient temperature.
If while riding, you discover that there is an abnormal loss of power, switch off your engine. Do this as well if you begin to hear ticking noises. This will keep your engine lubrication from drying out totally. Your pistons will also be prevented from seizing.