Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2009 year). Manual - part 20

PREPARATION FOR STORAGE

73

PREPARATION FOR STORAGE

Prior to storing the snowmobile, it

must be properly serviced to prevent

corrosion and component deterioration.

An authorized Arctic Cat Snowmobile

dealer should perform this service;

however, the owner/ operator can per-

form this service if desired. This ser-

vice is at the discretion and expense of

the snowmobile owner. To prepare the

snowmobile for storage, Arctic Cat

recommends the following procedure:

1. Clean the seat cushion with a

damp cloth and a Vinyl Protectant.

2. Clean the snowmobile thoroughly

by hosing dirt, oil, grass, and other

foreign matter from the skid

frame, tunnel, hood, and belly pan.

Allow the snowmobile to dry thor-

oughly. DO NOT get water into

any part of the engine.

 NOTE: On 4-stroke models,
change the engine oil and clean
the air filter; then proceed to step
6.

3. Place the rear of the snowmobile

up on a shielded safety stand.

4. On the 500/600/800/1000 cc

engine models, start the engine

and allow to idle. With the engine

idling, pry the intake boot forward;

then spray an Engine Storage Pre-

server into the intakes until the

engine exhaust starts to smoke

heavily or until the engine starts to

drop in RPM. Turn engine off.

Install the intake boot.

5. On the 570 cc engine models,

carefully pry the intake boots par-

tially over the carburetor inlets;

then start the engine and allow to

idle. With the engine idling, spray

an Engine Storage Preserver into

the intakes until the engine exhaust

starts to smoke heavily or until the

engine starts to drop in RPM. Turn

engine off. Install the intake boots.

6. Plug the exhaust system outlet

with a clean cloth.

7. With the ignition switch in the

OFF position:

A. Disconnect the high tension

leads from the spark plugs;

then remove the plugs, connect

them to the leads, and ground

them on the cylinder heads.

B. Pour 29.5 ml (1 fl oz) of SAE

#30 petroleum-based oil into

each spark plug hole and pull

the recoil starter handle slowly

about 10 times.

C. Install the spark plugs and con-

nect the high tension leads.

! CAUTION

Do not run the engine without the
belt guard in place and secured.

! CAUTION

Do not do step 7 on the 4-stroke
models; severe engine damage
could result.

! CAUTION

Never crank the engine over with-
out grounding the spark plugs.
Damage to coils and/or CDI/ECU
unit may result.

74

PREPARATION FOR STORAGE

8. On carbureted models, drain the

gas from each carburetor float

chamber.

9. Fill the gas tank to its rated capac-

ity; then add Arctic Cat Fuel Stabi-

lizer (p/n 0436-907) to the gas

tank following directions on the

container for the stabilizer/gaso-

line ratio. Tighten the gas tank cap

securely.

10. Flush the gear case and replace the

lubricant (see Lubrication section).

11. Remove the drive belt from the

drive clutch/driven pulley. Lay the

belt on a flat surface or slide it into

a cardboard sleeve to prevent

warping or distortion during stor-

age.

12. Clean and inspect the drive clutch

and driven pulley.

13. Apply light oil to the upper steer-

ing post bushing, ski spindles and

bolts, front and rear pivot bushings

of the skid frame, and plungers of

the shock absorbers.

14. Lubricate the rear suspension,

spindles, speedometer drive

adapter, and driven shaft support

bearing with a low-temperature

grease.

15. Tighten all nuts, bolts, and cap

screws making sure all nuts, bolts,

and cap screws are tightened

securely. Make sure all rivets hold-

ing the components together are

tight. Replace all loose rivets.

16. Clean and polish the hood, con-

sole, and chassis with Arctic Cat

Hood and Windshield Cleaner/

Polish (p/n 4639-559). DO NOT

USE SOLVENTS OR SPRAY

CLEANERS. THE PROPEL-

LANT WILL DAMAGE THE

FINISH.

17. On electric start models, discon-

nect the battery cables making sure

to disconnect the negative cable

first; then clean the battery posts
and cables. Charge the battery.

18. If possible, store the snowmobile

indoors. Raise the track off the

floor by blocking up the back end

making sure the snowmobile is

secure. Loosen the track adjusting

bolts to reduce track tension.

Cover the snowmobile with a

machine cover or a heavy tarpaulin

to protect it from dirt and dust.

19. If the snowmobile must be stored

outdoors, position the snowmo-

bile out of direct sunlight; then

block the entire snowmobile off

the ground making sure the snow-

mobile is secure. Loosen the track

adjusting bolts to reduce track ten-

sion. Cover with a machine cover

or a heavy tarpaulin to protect it

from dirt, dust, and rain.

! CAUTION

Sealed batteries require charging if
left for extended non-start peri-
ods. Arctic Cat recommends trickle
charging once a month. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions and
cautions.

! CAUTION

Avoid storing in direct sunlight and
using a plastic cover as moisture
may collect on the snowmobile
causing corrosion.

PREPARATION AFTER STORAGE

75

PREPARATION AFTER STORAGE

Taking the snowmobile out of storage

and correctly preparing it for another

season will assure many miles and

hours of trouble-free snowmobiling.

Arctic Cat recommends the following

procedure:

1. Clean the snowmobile thoroughly.

Polish the exterior of the snowmo-

bile.

2. Clean the engine. Remove the

cloth from the exhaust system.

Check exhaust system and air-

intake silencer for obstructions.

3. Inspect all control wires and cables

for signs of wear or fraying.

Replace if necessary. Use cable ties

or tape to route wires and cables

away from hot or rotating parts.

4. Inspect the drive belt for cracks

and tears. Check belt specifica-

tions. Replace if damaged or worn.

Install the drive belt.

 NOTE: If the old belt is worn but
in reasonable condition, retain it
with the snowmobile as a spare in
case of emergency.

5. On carbureted models, inspect the

in-line fuel filter and replace if

necessary.

6. Inspect all fuel hoses and oil hoses

for deterioration or cracks; replace

if necessary. Make sure all connec-

tions are tight; then on 2-stroke

models, fill the oil-injection reser-

voir with the recommended 2-

cycle oil (see Gasoline-Oil sub-

section).

 NOTE: After prolonged storage
of 2-stroke models, Arctic Cat rec-
ommends one tankful of 100:1 gas/
oil mixture be used in conjunction
with the oil-injection system to
ensure proper lubrication.

7. On 2-stroke models, inspect the

spark plugs. Replace, gap, or clean

as necessary.

8. Verify the condition of and the

adjustment of the carburetors and

choke cable on carbureted models

and throttle cable on all models.

9. Tighten all nuts, bolts, and cap

screws making sure all nuts, bolts,

and cap screws are tightened

securely.

10. Lubricate the rear suspension,

spindles, speedometer drive

adapter, and driven shaft support

bearing with a low-temperature

grease.

11. On liquid cooled models, check

the coolant level and all coolant

hoses and connections for deterio-

ration or cracks. Add properly

mixed coolant as necessary.

12. On air cooled models, clean the

engine cooling fins and vents.

! CAUTION

On carbureted models if the gas in
each carburetor float chamber was
not drained prior to storage, the
carburetors must be cleaned
before starting the engine.

! WARNING

Be sure to tighten the swivel
adapter jam nuts securely. If a jam
nut isn’t tightened, the adjuster
can rotate out of the carburetor
cap causing the throttle valve not
to return to the full-closed posi-
tion.

76

PREPARATION AFTER STORAGE

13. On electric start models, charge

the battery until fully charged (see

Battery sub-section in the Mainte-

nance section); then connect the

battery cables making sure to con-

nect the positive cable first. Test

the electric start system.

14. Inspect the entire brake system, all

controls, headlight, taillight,

brakelight, ski wear bars, and

headlight aim; adjust or replace as

necessary.

15. Adjust the track to the proper ten-

sion and alignment. Lock the jam

nuts.