1992 Polaris Indy 500 - Chaincase and oil - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

szewczykm · 01-08-2013, 03:24 PM

I'm sitting at work and doing some research into stuff to do on my sled. I posted about a gravely sound I was hearing when riding my son's sled this weekend earlier and I haven't had much of a chance to look at it.

I did get it jacked up and had about 2 minutes to poke at it. I tried moving the track with it in the air but the track didn't really move easily. It seemed like the belt was giving it just enough friction that it wasn't moving easily.

Sitting here thinking about it I started looking into the chaincase which I really don't know much about. I see a lot of people saying they "checked the chaincase oil" and I'm seeing reference to dip sticks and stuff, but I don't remember seeing a dipstick on my chaincase.

I've been looking at parts blow-ups and I'm just not seeing it.

This leads to a few questions.

- How do I check the chaincase oil on a 1992 Indy 500 (no reverse)
- If I ran 30 miles with it and the chaincase was empty, how likely is it that I @#$%'ed it up?
- If dry and it's not *obviously* @#$%'ed up, do you think topping it off is going to be enough or am I supposed to replace everything because it *might* have a problem that might not be apparent.

Thanks!

Mike

powerranger262 · 01-08-2013, 03:53 PM

The dipstick is yellow and on the chaincase, towards the front of the machine. As for damage, you may have to open it up and do a visual inspection. From what i know, anything that is supposed to have oil in it, and doesn't, things are more than likely damaged.

**BC_Dan** · 01-08-2013, 08:14 PM

There's probably not a dipstick on your chaincase. There will be a rubber plug on the case about 1/4 of the way from the bottom to check the level. If you have not changed the oil in a while, it's not a bad thing to do, and you can examine the chain and sprockets to see if you can identify any issues. There isn't a drain on the older sleds, either, so either fill the bellypan under the chaincase with rags or paper towels and remove the cover. The fluid will leak out onto the towels. Clean the insides with brake cleaner or WD40, put the cover back on, add 8 oz. of chaincase fluid. Done.

Or if you don't want to make a big mess, remove the exhaust. Tilt the sled on it's side, chaincase side up. Remove the cover. Use a turkey baster or other suction device and remove the oil. Check for wear/damage, put the sled back on it's track, clean, replace cover, replace fluid. It's pretty easy and should be done once a season.

meburdick · 01-08-2013, 09:59 PM

While you have it apart, take a good look at the mechanicals that are in there. If you remove the drive belt and the track is not on the ground, you'll be able to spin the track and see the chain and gears move. It isn't a perfect science, but you might catch something that would appear to not be smooth or possibly binding.

After you get it back together and have refilled the case, you'll want to check / adjust the tension. Loosen the jam nut on the tensioner, loosen the tensioner a couple of turns, then tighten it up by hand "fairly tight". Loosen 1/4 turn, hold the tensioner bolt in place, and tighten the jam nut.