New 1996 Puma: Pics and a few questions - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Skier76 · 01-21-2013, 03:21 PM

This is the my first sled. I've done a bunch of ATVing, but I've never owned a snowmobile before. I bought this for zipping around the woods near our weekend place in Southern Vermont. I just picked it up on Saturday. It's a 1996 Arctic Cat Puma 2-up. It's got about 3,880 on the clock. It was last registered in New Hampshire in 2011. Looks like it did some time on the trails in SoVT as well.

Here are a few pics from Saturday:

I'm really happy with the sled. It's got a few things to address, but it's 17 years old, so that's expected. I've adjusted the brakes (the lever on the caliper needed to be rotated) and they now lock up good and tight.

Is there any servicing needed on the airbox? Filter, foam?

I noticed a bunch of grease zerks. What's the best type of grease to use on a sled? I had a SeaDoo back in the day and they made some pretty good waterproof stuff.

Two stroke oil: Are these machines picky? What's everyone use?

What's a decent belt? I don't mind paying a few extra bucks for something good, but I have a feeling this 340 won't need a high performance belt.

Someone put in a piece of fuel line that the pull-start cord runs through. It looks like this was done to prevent the pull cord from rubbing against the oil tank. Is there an OEM guide or is this something someone just fabbed up on their own?

My noise piece has a few bit missing from it. I looked up the OEM cost and almost fell out of my chair. E-bay my best bet for a used one? Is the nose piece specific to the Puma?

I need a snowflap as well. Will any other model's snow flaps work for the Puma?

I'm getting a clunking when the sled is slowing down (no braking) or coasting down hill. Almost sounds like a popping. At first, I thought it was the belt; possibly being worn/hourglassed in a spot. But I noticed the noise when I lifted the rear of the sled to move it...popped/clunked maybe once or twice when I lifted the back end and pivoted the sled around. It did that when the engine was running.

Thanks in advance everyone! Looking forward to getting some more snow and taking the sled out!

**kccats** · 01-21-2013, 05:59 PM

Go to the How Too section! Clean the carbs and clutches! Replace all the fuel lines including the pick up in the tank!

Skier76 · 01-22-2013, 07:52 AM

Thanks! There's a lot of good info in the how to section, great link.

If anyone has any answers to the sled specific questions I have, feel free to chime in.

**RJ Gleason** · 01-22-2013, 08:18 AM

Use a quality low temp grease on the suspension.
That clunk is likely just the backlash in the chain case as the track changes from go to stop. Oil capacity for the chain case is 8oz without reverse and 12oz with.

Skier76 · 01-22-2013, 05:44 PM

Thanks RJ. I'll get some good grease at the hardware store.

The clunk only happens when coasting...especially down a hill. Maybe track tension?

What's a decent off the shelf two stroke oil? Do you guys get yours from the dealer?

**RJ Gleason** · 01-23-2013, 02:27 AM

I use "Super Tech" @ $12/gal at Wally Mart.

Skier76 · 01-23-2013, 06:20 AM

Nice. I can grab that tonight. Is that the Super Tech TC-W3 Outboard 2-Cycle Oil stuff?

**RJ Gleason** · 01-23-2013, 01:52 PM

Sure is!

Skier76 · 01-24-2013, 06:49 AM

Thanks RJ. Grabbed a gallon last night...can't beat that price.

I also picked up some Green Grease at AutoZone. The package indicates it's good to -20F. Figured that'll be good for the sled.

**kccats** · 01-24-2013, 07:04 AM

I use the Lithium that is for like -100?

Skier76 · 01-24-2013, 07:13 AM

-100...that's gotta be one chilly ride!

Random question. I noticed the throttle cable splits into two: once cable goes to the top of the carb to acutuate the slide, the other to an arm on the block. What's that arm on the block for?

**RJ Gleason** · 01-24-2013, 07:42 AM

That goes to the oil pump lever.

Skier76 · 01-25-2013, 06:26 AM

Excellent. That makes sense. I've got a factory service manual on the way. That should reduce the number of questions I'm posting here. ; )

Skier76 · 01-29-2013, 06:21 AM

Does the Puma share parts with any other cats of the same era? EXT?

What's a decent belt to get? How about a spare belt holder? Most sleds have it on the belt cover; mine doesn't. Are those easily installed?

How about ski runners/carbides?

**RJ Gleason** · 01-29-2013, 07:33 AM

It shares most parts, but remember, the Puma and Jag are entry level sleds and will not have some of the features found on other sleds.

I prefer top cog belts as they tend to run cooler but you can get away with a cheaper belt since it does not have massive hp.
Belt clips are available almost anywhere you can get a belt from.
For carbides/skegs, you have to match it up with the correct number from each manufacturer.

Skier76 · 01-29-2013, 09:19 AM

Again, thanks RJ.

I did a little googling. Are the Puma and Jag basically the same sled; just a different engine? 340 vs 440?

**RJ Gleason** · 01-29-2013, 04:07 PM

Jag is step up from a Puma.

Skier76 · 01-29-2013, 06:51 PM

Looks like the Puma I have is the 1st gen of AWS chassis. This thread shows other sleds built on the same platform: AWS Sled History - ArcticChat.com - Arctic Cat Forum

**RJ Gleason** · 01-30-2013, 08:04 AM

Nope, second gen AWS, first gen had the shocks connected close together directly in front of the engine and only had about 5" of travel.

Skier76 · 01-30-2013, 12:31 PM

It did give me a good idea of that other sleds share parts. Didn't realize how many other Cats had a similar chassis/suspension setup.