dugolf

Just purchased my first sled and not sure what to do now. Everything seems to work and looks good. Compression is 115 in all three. What should I check to make sure it's ready to go. Oil in crankcase looks clean, change? What kind of oil should I use. What should I watch out for? The tunnel has been extended and now how a 144 track with 2" paddles, possible problems. Rookie to this, any advice on maintenance would be appreciated. Thanks.

Outlander33

grease your suspension, chain case oil, check the belt and buy a spare, clean the carbs but make sure to mark them so you put them back in the right spots, change sparkplugs and buy extras.

If it's a new sled to you make sure the oiler works... Knew a guy that bought a sled, fired it up, ran great.. took it out for a ride, burned his engine down 2 miles up the trail, was a bad day. I will generally mix a tank and run it if it's a new to me sled. Might run like crap but at least I know I wont burn up my engine, and if it hasn't been ran in a while will give it a chance to work any possible air bubbles out of the oil lines.

Spin the driven clutch and check for wobbles.

that's about all I can think of off the top of my head.

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dugolf

Thanks for the advice. Changed chain oil, cleaned carburetors, new sparkplugs, and greased it up. Noticed on new sleds there is a loop in the middle of the handlebars, mine doesn’t have that. Does the loop make it easier to ride, looking to add risers; should i change the bars too? Best oil to use?

BC_Dan

The "mountain bar" makes it easier to pull the sled over into a sidehill. If you put on a riser, you may have to extend the throttle and oil pump cables too. For your sled, any TCW3 oil will work. There's no need for synthetic oil in a sled without exhaust valves. I would use the cheapest you can find at Wally World.

Welcome to the forum!

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2007 Dragon RMK 700 155", 2008 RMK 600 155", 2006 RMK 600 144", 95 Prowler 550 2-up, 1990 Indy 650, Really OLD AC Cheetah

http://www.avalanche.org/accidents.php

Polaris650freak

^he doesn't have a separate oil pump cable, it's part of the throttle cable at the junction box. He only has a single throttle cable going to bars, you will have to get a throttle extension and extended brake line depending how tall you go, might also have to reroute electrical. Use sea and snow oil from farm and fleet, 8 bucks a gallon and is same as Polaris blue. Also in your first post you said "oil in crankcase looks good" there shouldn't be oil in the crankcase. The oil pump feeds oil to the crankcase and that's all. Does your speedo work?


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dugolf

I was just told that I should run a cooler plug in the middle cylinder. Also to use just champion plugs. Any truth to this. If so, what number spark plugs should I get and set the gap at? Thanks

Polaris650freak

Do not run different spark plugs. Put champion nc2's in it or Ngk b9es or br9es


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93sportwithkids

My 96 XLT 600 takes NGK BR8ES. You can open your hood and on the left side there will be a decal with engine info on it. Spark plugs to use are listed there along with the gap. I wouldn't deviate from what is called out unless you are fouling plugs or are modified in some way.
Oil to use is debatable and many will chime in. I personally use AMZoil in all 3 of my sleds. It's not cheap, and I abuse my sleds during the running season. I don't foul plugs, they start easy when cold, and I haven't had any engine issues.... so far. I often get 2 riding seasons off of 1 set of spark plugs simply because they are burning clean. In my opinion the oil is like smoking cigars... you sort of get what you pay for. Use your best judgement.

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Thanks! TJ

1994 Polaris 440 Sport with Xtra10
1996 Polaris XLT with Xtra12
1996 Polaris Indy Lite GT

hosehoundfr86

check your crank seals,, my " mint " XLT cost me an engine after 10 mi.