[ravenfan]

Hi all,

New to the forum and had a question.

My wife bought me a '99 Arctic Cat ZL440 for Christmas (what a nice girl) with about 900 miles on it. Are there any known problems or concerns about this model? I love it so far, put about 100 miles on it the first weekend. I've ridden before but never owned one, so I am curious if there is anything I should keep an eye on.

Thanks!

 

[Administrator]

Are you sure it is not a ZL 500? I don't think they made a Zl 440 in 1999. In 99, I think the only 440 liquid they made was the snopro.... but at any rate, I have a Zr 500... which is very similar to the ZL 500 (assuming you have a 500 and not a 400.)

I do not know of any problems or concerns with that model. I absolutely love my Zr 500. The Zl is basically the same except the suspension is a little different, and you get electric start, and maybe reverse.

I think you will love your Zl. I have 4500 miles on my Zr and last week was the first time it has gone to the shop. Needs new slide rails (I am doing them)... but also needs some engine work and since it is an EFI, I don't do any of the work on it.

Have fun... and you better tell your wife how much you love her right before you book for the door to go riding.

 

[ravenfan]

Thanks for the response, Cobra.

We keep the sled at our vacation house at Deep Creek, MD. I'll have to double check the year (since I had nothing to do with the purchase) the next time I'm up there. I know it is a ZL 440 and the dealer said it was a '99. However, it does not have electric start or reverse. It is in excellent condition and only had about 860 miles on it.

As far as the wife is concerned, she must like getting me out of the house. We were up there this past weekend and she kept saying 'Get out there and ride that thing, it cost me a lot of money'. So being the good husband, I granted her wish.

 

[Administrator]

Great! How was the riding?

I double checked my owners manual for the EFI sleds, and arctic cat was making 500 cc ZL's in 99. Do you have an EFI or carb sled.. not that it really makes a lot of difference.

 

[ravenfan]

The riding was pretty good. We've had a lot of snow in Western MD, but unfortunately I was only riding around on the streets and a small trail in the neighborhood. I need to get a trailer since there are a lot of trails in the area designated for ORV's. What's a little more money?

My Arctic Cat is a carb. I was checking the sheet from the dealer listing all his used sleds and it says it's a '99 but now I'm really curious. I probably sound like an idiot, but like I said, my wife picked it out and it really is in great shape compared to the other's the dealer had.

Another question if you don't mind. Do you use only Arctic Cat oil? I read that is the only type you should use.

 

[Administrator]

Another question if you don't mind. Do you use only Arctic Cat oil? I read that is the only type you should use.

I personally always use Cat oil. It is $20 a gallon, but then you are pretty well assured you won't have any oil related problems.

Apparently, sometimes mixing oils can cause them to congeal (gel up... dont' know i spelled that right), so I never recommend mixing oils. I mixed Arctic cat with another 2 cycle motor oil in a jet ski (Arctic Cat TigerShark) of mine and within 1 hour or riding, a piston ceased. The hole engine had to be trashed after the rods went for a joy ride inside. The guys at the dealership suspected that the two oils gelled up once they were mixed causing lubrication problems.

So I would say stick with cat oil.

 

[Administrator]

Good news. Arctic cat made both a ZL 500 EFI, Carb 500, and Carb 440 Zl in 99.

Here are the specs on your 440 Zl (99):
ZL 440

436 c.c. liquid cooled twin
68 hp
Twin VM 36 Carbs
Tuned Pipe
Arctic RPM Sensing Drive Clutch
Arctic Roller Cam Driven Clutch
Plastic Skis w/43 Inch Stance
AWS V front w/Ryde FX Shocks, Adjustable Rate Springs
10 Inches Front Travel
FasTrack rear w/Ryde FX Shocks, TSL, ETT
13.5 Inches Rear Travel
Wilwood Hydraulic Disc
461 Lbs. Dry (est.)

Thats a really nice and light snowmobile. I just love it when sleds weigh in under 490.

 

[ravenfan]

Thanks for the info Cobra. I won't be able to get up to our lake house until the first weekend in Feb, so now I can rest at ease.

 

[Administrator]

No problem.

 

[Arctic Cat ZL440]

Are you sure it is not a ZL 500? I don't think they made a Zl 440 in 1999. In 99, I think the only 440 liquid they made was the snopro.... but at any rate, I have a Zr 500... which is very similar to the ZL 500 (assuming you have a 500 and not a 400.)

I do not know of any problems or concerns with that model. I absolutely love my Zr 500. The Zl is basically the same except the suspension is a little different, and you get electric start, and maybe reverse.

I think you will love your Zl. I have 4500 miles on my Zr and last week was the first time it has gone to the shop. Needs new slide rails (I am doing them)... but also needs some engine work and since it is an EFI, I don't do any of the work on it.

Have fun... and you better tell your wife how much you love her right before you book for the door to go riding.

I have a 98 ZL440 and They made a 99 model.

 

[Arctic Cat ZL440]

The ZL440 is a sweet sled and you will get a lot from it if you take care of it, oil coolant, etc. It doesn´t use a lot of gas, either. So overall you have a a real gem on your hands.