Gettin the ZL 500 out for test ride - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

BLinindoll · 01-24-2006, 09:11 PM

Im going to say exactly what I did so far. I didn't do anything more, or anything less. I need to know if I am missing something and what my problems are.

First. I changed the oil pump cause the old one was leaking. Set the cable to the marks. I noticed when I let off the throttle, it hangs up and the oil pump lever doesnt go down all the way unless I push it. Which cable needs to be replaced? Is it just an oiler cable or is it a whole cable assembly? (I am assuming this is the reason why it is going through the oil like no tomarrow.)

Second. I set the idle. 1.5 turns out, then I had to turn them out about 3 turns each untill it idled at 1500 rpms.

Third. I sync'ed the carbs.

Forth. I rode it for about 6 miles. Checked the plugs and the electrodes were black, but not oily. There was oil on the rest of the plug. Oil was also everywhere out of the Y-pipe. It was a mess. Way more than there should be.

Now, I can figure out that the oil problem is the cable sticking. But I also noticed it was chugin fuel like no tomarrow. It seems to be running rich. How fast will cylinder wash occur? There is NO carbon on the pistons.

Should I check the air mixture screws? Am I missing anything else? Let me know what to do next. I am basicly as far as I can go now on my own.

rgoers · 01-24-2006, 10:08 PM

Gee Whiz! Sounds like you know more than most of us here anyway...

The only thing I can offer is that my ZL550 guzzles oil like a pig. My Panther does the same. Should go through roughly one quart of oil per tank of gas. And speaking of gas... The best I ever get for gas usage is around 12 MPG in the ZL.

I know I had some trouble getting my oil cables to release all the way on their own too. They seemed to not want to go the last 1/8 inch or so back to resting position. There was proper slack, but the oiler return spring seemed crudded (is that a word?) up with grease and stuff. I sprayed some brake cleaner on it, and then some WD40. It releases better now.

I'd check your return spring, and look for kinks in the oiler cable.

BLinindoll · 01-24-2006, 10:26 PM

The spring is nice and clean. The whole pump looks like new cause my brother had his friend clean the whole thing cause he threw a bucket of dirt on it, lol. Dumbass brother. Something is definitely binding in the cable housing. Ill have to check browns to see what I need. Either that, or maybe I'll just put another return spring to give some more pull untill the cables frees itself.