Question about oil resevoir(tank) - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

dbiron · 10-30-2012, 07:32 PM

I'm new to these forums, let me start by saying "Hello".

Here is my problem. I have a 2000 Polaris Indy Trail touring. Today I was pouring oil into the oil tank. (You know the plastic wrapper this is under the cap of the oil container, when peeling it off, a piece stuck to the outside of the oil container, I wasn't aware).

When I poured the oil into the resevoir, I noticed the piece of plastic/paper, weny into the oil resevoir. I'm a terrible mechanic, I looked at the oil tank/resevoir, and there is no way of me taking it off to drain; it's beyond my ability and I don't want to attempt. Will this plastic/paper affect my sled? Plug something up, it was about 1/4 size of thumb nail.

Alternately could I spihpon the oil from the tank, and retrieve the plastic/paper.

Thanks, appreciate the advice.

**BC_Dan** · 10-30-2012, 07:49 PM

It could definitely clog the outlet to the pump. I wouldn't take a chance, I would get it out.

Welcome to the forum!

Rczr600rider · 10-30-2012, 08:01 PM

You can try using a turkey baster to suck the oil back out of the tank. There are also flexible claw tools you can get at your local auto parts store that will reach into the tank and grab the plastic if you're able to see where it is. I would definitely not leave it in there.

dbiron · 10-30-2012, 08:05 PM

Thanks guys, I'll get a turkey baster tomorrow. The size of the plastic looks a little big for the oil lines. I started it up once, not thinking... I do hope I can find it.

dbiron · 10-30-2012, 08:46 PM

I'm a bit worried now. I found a turkey baster in my house. Drained the oil, but found no scrap

dbiron · 10-30-2012, 09:57 PM

Can't figure out how to edit my post. But what should I do now?

**BC_Dan** · 10-30-2012, 10:24 PM

Dang, that's not good.

I would disconnect the oil line from the oil pump and flush the tank and line with a solvent to make sure it's not stuck to the tank somewhere. If you haven't run the engine much, it shouldn't have migrated to the pump yet. After the tank is clean and dry, hook the line back up and loosen the air bleed screw on the oil pump to drain all the air out of the oil line. When oil starts seeping out of the bleed screw tighten the screw and you should be good to go.

To make sure nothing is going wrong, I would mix the first tank of gas you use with 2-stroke oil at 50:1. That way, if there's a clog and you don't use any oil during that first tank, your engine will still be lubricated. You may foul a plug but that's way cheaper than toasting a piston.

dbiron · 10-30-2012, 11:06 PM

BC_Dan, great info.

I did what you said to the best of my knowledge (found no scrap). Tomorrow I'm going to mix oil in my gas 50:1, and I'll run it. Where should I go from there? if it runs fine, just leave it?

Thanks everyone for the great info.

**BC_Dan** · 10-31-2012, 09:56 AM

When you fill the tank and run it with the mixed oil, if the oil tank goes down the appropriate amount (you will be using oil at about 25:1) that will give you more confidence that the piece didn't get in somewhere it wasn't supposed to.

Good luck!

momodig · 10-31-2012, 04:21 PM

Well I put the mixed gas in. Started up the machine and smoked out my neighbourhood... so hopefully that is good sign.

Just out of curiousity is there sign when a piston is going to blow?

**RJ Gleason** · 10-31-2012, 05:19 PM

When there is suddenly no power or the engine stops abruptly.

momodig · 10-31-2012, 05:37 PM

I never put more then 200-300Km on my sled a year. I use it only for ice fishing. It has always run like a top. Now I'm paranoid about the scrap and not finding it. I wish I had, so I had some closure.... again, I thank you all for the the help/input. Last thing I want is to have my engine blow only a lake that has 1 foot of slush on it.

mat · 10-31-2012, 07:06 PM

If you are afraid your engine will blow, do a compresion test. That will put your mind at ease!

danskool · 11-01-2012, 06:38 PM

By chance does he have one of these in the bottom of his oil tank?

**BC_Dan** · 11-01-2012, 08:11 PM

That would be too easy

From what I remember, there's no filter in his tank, just a hole near the bottom. Any filter would be external and very visible. I'm assuming (I know, bad idea!) that there's no filter on the tank to pump hose...

mat · 11-01-2012, 08:20 PM

Sorry, dont mean to high jack this, but I am ciorious, what if the sled tips, are they just relying on there being enough oil in the lines to last till the sled is shut off or put up right?

**BC_Dan** · 11-01-2012, 10:06 PM

That would be correct. I'm thinking that most sleds wouldn't pump oil upside down, as there would be an air bubble at the tank outlet. That's why it's critical to check for proper oiling if you end up upside down for a bit.

mat · 11-01-2012, 10:10 PM

I see thanks so thats part of the reason to wear a teather lol

momodig · 11-02-2012, 04:16 PM

No my Indy Trail Touring has no oil filter. Basically (I don't know the part names). Attached to the side of the oil tank is square metal box, with fuel hose and oil hose attaches to, aswell as the fuel shutoff valve.

momodig · 11-07-2012, 09:23 AM

I completely removed my oil tanks and I found the piece of scrap

Question about bleeding the tank... when I bleed the tank does it bleed the air from the lines too, if there is air in the lines.