Snowmobile "summerizing"

[Goldpig]

I am curious what those of you do to "summerize" snowmobiles? I want to get this out of the way before opener and haven't had to deal with it before. Thank you.

[Aaron]

Fill the gas tank completely full and put an adequate amount of
Stabil in it. Start it up and let it run for a while so the stabil gets through the carbs. If you have a fuel shut off turn the fuel off and let it run until it dies. Spray some fogging oil in each cylinder (5-10 seconds)with the plugs and wires removed of course. Pull it over a few times then spray some more in the cylinders. When complete put the plugs back in. Be sure to spray a good lubricant (WD-40 or something) on all the metal pieces. inside and outside (after a thourough washing with hot soapy water.) Use Armour-all on all of the plastic and seat even under the hood. I would also loosen the track and suspension up a bit. Take the belt off and lay it some place flat and if you really want to get picky, remove the clutch springs until next fall. Make sure you store it in a well ventalated area and plug the exhaust with an oily rag to keep the rodents out. That's about it.

[Dave in Mpls]

Howdy, Goldpig

The first thing I do is to get some fuel stabilizer into the tank and run the sled so that the treated fuel has an opportunity to work its way to the carbs (assuming it has carbs). With a liquid cooled sled, this isn't a problem. If it is air cooled, keep an eye on the temp. After it has run for a while, I kill the engine by spraying fogging oil into the air intakes. I then remove the spark plugs, spray some fogging oil directly into the cylinders, and turn the engine over a few revolutions by hand to distribute the oil on the cylinder walls, rings, etc. I Then replace the plugs. While I'm under the hood, I make sure the coolant level is full (it should be up to hot at this point, as you've had it running a while), and top off the oil reservoir. Finally, I like to remove the belt so that it doesn't take a "set" sitting all summer. As far as physical storage, I prop the back end up so that the sled isn't sitting on the track and suspension all summer. Finally, I put a piece of steel wool up the exhaust to keep out critters.

Hope this helps some

Regards

[tbomn]

I summerize my sled every year. I start with a Amsoil fuel stabilizer, I use all Amsoil products. Next, I run the engine long enough to get some of that tank gas into the carbs. End of story. I have never had any trouble, and the sled is going on her 6th year.

"I respect faith, but doubt is what gives you an education."
Wilson Mizner

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[cisco]

You need a mix of 10 lbs of sugar.....

Sorry, couldn't resist that one. All equipment should be properly cared for -- whether enjoyed by all or not.

[MarkG]

Regarding filling the tank,with all due respect, I dont agree with the fill the tank method any more. The reformulated fuels just dont store that well even with stabilizer. Yes ,,the Stabil will keep it from varnishing up but then you still have a full tank of 8 month old gas that will have lost most or all of it volital products,absorbed a certain amount of moisture ,even with a full tank,etc. These are plastic tanks,they wont corrode,so there is no need to fill.The layover for a sled,is just too long to keep gas in it. I would put Stabil in the tank now,then run your motor to get it into the carbs and fuel system.Then drain the carbs (there is a drain plug on the bottom of those carbs.)I would then siphon or drain the tank as dry as you can get it ,and use that gas somewhere else ,like your car,lawnmower etc..You could wait til next winter to drain it but it wont be much usable by then.Either way,you want FRESH gas in your tank,that first time out next season. As far as dealing with any moisture build up over the months, you can put a "dry sock "moisture absorber in the tank during its layover,or
some Isoproponal with your first fillup of fresh gas come next season.(Caution...if you have an electric gas gauge,you may not want to use a dry sock,as it can get tangled and caught on your sender in the tank.) I also dont agree with spraying everything down with oil,or whatever. If where you are storing it is any kind of place that is not that clean,you will have a layer of dirt or dust crusted up on the oily surfaces by next season.My own recomendation is hose everything down with water,make sure all the dirt,sand,and road salt is off.Then grease the suspension etc, per your owners manual.

[PJM]

MarkG

If everybody did what you posted they would save alot of money in repairs. I work on snowmobiles, outboards and small engines. and you are right, draining the fuel system is the way to go. I have done it for years and have never had a problem. A friend of mine put Stabil in his Ski-Doo and I told him to drain it down, and he said I have never had a problem. The next season the motor burned down because the carbs were now green inside and made the motor run lean. Yes it is more work to drain them down, but in the lond run it's better. Nice post.................

[Junior]

Goldpig
So we meet again. I would first make sure to grease all the zerks. Also you should fill the tanks and use some seafoam or stabil. You can also fog the cylinders. Good Luck and keep that equipment running good. Hey check the owners manual as well there is a whole section in there for summerizing.