94 Arctic cat 700 efi compression - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

9 lives wildcat · 01-15-2013, 12:38 PM

I just got a 94 efi 700 pretty much free. It starts right up and smokes more than I think it should. I've had it out once around the yard and it was fast, lifting the skies off the ground a little. First time on a sled in years so I wasn't going crazy. Ok to the point. When I start it it smokes a lot, so I did a compression test. The results were 40lbs each cylinder( spark plugs out, throttle wide open) Then I put about a tea spoon of oil in the cylinders and it went up to 80lbs each cylinder. Question is how can it drive so well with just 40lbs of compression?
The previous owner said he has the oil adjusted on the heavier side for cool start ups???

**RJ Gleason** · 01-15-2013, 03:35 PM

How many times did you pull it over?
6 -5 time is usually required to get the max reading on the gauge.

9 lives wildcat · 01-15-2013, 03:43 PM

I pulled it over 7-8 times and did it twice. Pulled it over 5-6 times with the oil in it. On all the checks the needle really did not go any further after the third pull

**RJ Gleason** · 01-15-2013, 03:57 PM

Then it must be your gauge, because an engine will not run with actual compression that low.
That's OK, because you now have a base line using that and can watch for any changes. [there might be a problem with the Schrader valve]

The only real issue these have is that you need to keep a good battery in them to run right.

Watch the oil consumption, there was no reason to have to turn up the oil pump.
Start it up and let it get warmed up before hammering on it and you will have no issues with corner seizing or breaking off piston skirts.

9 lives wildcat · 01-15-2013, 04:25 PM

I've read somewhere that the oil lever might be stuck, it's suppose to move with the throttle ? We haven't any snow here so I'm just running it lightly with the track lifted.
After I ran it around the yard I don't recall it smoking all that much.
The compression tester I barrowed from a auto parts store and it looked brand new.

9 lives wildcat · 01-15-2013, 04:52 PM

It came with a brand new deep cell battery

**RJ Gleason** · 01-16-2013, 07:32 AM

Yes, the oil lever is supposed to move with the throttle. It should start to move just after 1/3 throttle.

I recommend that you buy your own compression gauge, those from the auto stores can look brand new but may have damage from other careless users, particularly the Schrader valve portion. Get the best one that you can afford.

My engine has never been touched, and it still pulls 140+ on both.

**kccats** · 01-16-2013, 07:45 AM

Go buy a different gauge! The smokeing should let up once you've gotten it up to temp for awhile!

9 lives wildcat · 01-17-2013, 05:41 PM

Thanks for all of your inputs. When I get time I'm checking the oil lever to make sure it's not stuck open. I have briefly looked for it before and could not identify it. Isn't it under the carbs or by the oil pump, which I haven't found either.

**RJ Gleason** · 01-17-2013, 11:36 PM

The oil pump is directly below the carbs and between them, opposite from the water pump on the front [exhaust side] of the engine.

9 lives wildcat · 01-21-2013, 05:05 PM

I see the oil lever and works with the throttle, it's sooner than a third of throttle travel almost the same as the throttle, but I know it's not stuck open. We haven't got any snow here to ride to see if the smoke clears up.

9 lives wildcat · 02-03-2013, 01:45 PM

I've been able to ride my 700 efi arctic cat a bit and I think it's burning antifreeze. At first during worm up it smoked more than I thought like I had posted but would idle down. Now during worm up its more white smoke and idles high a lot longer. Sluggish when taking off. After a lap around the house the idle is back up there and increases up to 3000 rims before I shut it down with a lot of white smoke. What should I look at first?

**RJ Gleason** · 02-03-2013, 04:23 PM

Well, does it smell sweetish?

9 lives wildcat · 02-03-2013, 04:38 PM

Not really, I think it's more like fuel. The smoke is thick, white and floats slowly

**RJ Gleason** · 02-04-2013, 04:35 AM

Old gas will do that too.

9 lives wildcat · 02-04-2013, 08:47 PM

Tank was empty so I could get fresh 93 octane and it made a big difference with the white smoke. It is a darker gray smoke now but not as much. It ran really good for the most part. Then idling rough, boggy, stalled and wouldn't start. It has never done that before. It's always started on the second pull but lately it's been the 3rd or 4th.

**RJ Gleason** · 02-05-2013, 06:49 AM

Try putting a charger on it or jumping it with your lawn tractor battery.
If the battery on these get weak, it can lead to starting/running issues.

**kccats** · 02-05-2013, 07:12 AM

Did you ever find another compression tester? 40# would not start! I've had a hole in a piston and still get 90#!

9 lives wildcat · 02-05-2013, 05:54 PM

I have not done another compression test.
I'll charge the battery tonight. Thanks!

9 lives wildcat · 03-17-2013, 09:09 AM

I took the sled to a reliable wrencher and he looked it over for me. It has 130 lbs in each cylinder and each plug is firing equally. The whitish smoke is normal he saids, condinsation in the pipes? It does go away after it runs around the yard for awhile. The fuel line in the gas tank has deteriorated so you need a lot of gas in it to pull fuel, that's the reason it wouldn't start. No gas, no go..... It starts second pull now like it always did before.
One thing, it has a comet clutch in it. I would like it to be set up for more of yard riding rather than to haul ass. Can you direct me for more information on these clutches.
Thanks again for all the help so far....