Time to put the sleds to sleep

  • James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    #1213379

    Guys

    The snowmobiles get tucked away for the summer tomorrow. I’m looking for tips as a first year sled owner on how to summerize two sleds. I’ve got a good handle on the fuel stabilizer, etc. I’m looking for things a first year guy might overlook. The sleds will be stored in their two place trailer. Do I need to pull batteries? Is their any special care for the track or suspensions that I need to provide?

    Thanks in advance guys.

    KirtH
    Lakeville
    Posts: 4063
    #768683

    , wash em down, after they dry spray em down with mans colon,WD 30, if you can shut the gas off run the carbs till there out of gas, get some fogging oil spray it down the cylinders and down the carbs will turning the engine over, pull the battery,grease all the fittings, check any idler wheels on the rear suspension for rough bearinfs by spinning them, make note to repair, for me I use to lift mine off the ground and block to take the weight off the springs, a little armour all on the seat and similar oh yah pull the drive belt off, you may want to pull the secondary clutch off and put a little grease on the shaft, oh yah if you have grease fittings behinf the secondary clutch for the jackshaft and front axle grease those too, blow the primary clutch out with air to get belt dust out of it.

    Pete Bauer
    Stillwater, MN
    Posts: 2599
    #768698

    We just did ours over the weekend and this is how we did it.

    Turned off the gas and let the sled idle until it dies, Siphon out remain gas in tank (no need to run old gas next winter, use it now). Then at the bottom of each carburetor open the drain plug and drain each carb getting the remaining gas out. Spray a little fogging oil into the cylinders and Remove the belt. Also like moreeyes said, either have the track raised or lower the suspension settings.

    That’s all we have done for the last 5 years or so and we’ve never had a problem.

    bzzsaw
    Hudson, Wi
    Posts: 3484
    #768714

    One other thing I would suggest is to plug your exhaust with steel wool to keep the mice out. I also have a problem with mice chewing on my foam air filter (97 Poloris). The pieces of foam fall into the air intake chamber. A buddy suggested putting ducktape over the holes leading to the air intake chamber. Its probably not a bad idea to put some dryer sheets or moth balls under the hood too. Can you tell we have mice in the shed we store them in?

    hookem_9
    Hastings, MN
    Posts: 320
    #768753

    I always just washed it, drain as much gas as possible, leaving about a gallon, stabilize that gallon of gas, fire it up, let it run a few minutes to get the stabilized gas into the fuel system, turn the gas off and let it run out of gas. Pull the battery. Throw it on a charger off/on over the summer. Grease the fittings, and WD40 the tie rod ends. I used to put the rear on a stand to unload the rear suspension, but that transfers the weight to the front. Now I just leave it. Used Steel wool to plug the exhaust pipe (don’t forget it’s there in the fall!) and if it’s realy mousy where you store it, (I used to store mine in a barn) I used a couple of butter containers filled with mothballs, pop the lid off and place on each foot board under the cover. Never had any problems…

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18715
    #768763

    I spray the suspension with silicone. Front and rear.All steel components for sure. Even under hood it you want that to stay pretty. Not necesarry but helps combat corrosion. I put Seafoam in gas tank, run motor until I can smell it burning, then trun off gas valve and let the sled run out. Choke it at the end so it runs as much out as possible. I used to drain the carbs long ago but have had no problems using this method forever. Then I spray fog in the carbs while the engine is being turned over. Two man job. Then I pull the plugs and fog in there and pull over a couple more time to distribute. Engine fogged. That’s the way I have done it for 16 years with no issues.

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18715
    #768765

    Good point Hookem! The last couple of years I have forgot to plug the exhaust!! That’s a biggy.

    baldwin4
    NE IA
    Posts: 736
    #768849

    Wash and wax. Stabile in gas, run until stabile gets in carbs. Pull drive belt off. Lubricate all suspension. Steel wool in exhaust and moth balls placsed all over sled in all compartments and cover it. I always pull carbs in the fall and clean them and adjust if needed. Easy to do

    chris-tuckner
    Hastings/Isle MN
    Posts: 12318
    #768919

    Quote:


    Good point Hookem! The last couple of years I have forgot to plug the exhaust!! That’s a biggy.


    And the intake. I have cleaned many acorns out of air boxes.

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    #769091

    Thanks, all!

    Brian Hoffies
    Land of 10,000 taxes, potholes & the politically correct.
    Posts: 6843
    #769133

    Sell them and get Polaris to sponsor the show next year with a pair of new sleds.

    Roofer
    Minnesota
    Posts: 79
    #769146

    Or get an atv. Haven’t seen a year without dirt yet. Seen plenty of years without enough snow.

    jtimm
    Mora,MN
    Posts: 198
    #769204

    Couldn’t of said it better myself Roofer!

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    #768648

    Quote:


    Or get an atv. Haven’t seen a year without dirt yet. Seen plenty of years without enough snow.


    To be honest I need both for what I do. ATVs when there’s no snow and when I drag otters in to remote lakes the sleds are the only way to get the job done.

    Besides… once I see “dirt” there’s liquid water under my feet and a 225 yamaha is doing the pushing.

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    #769484

    Quote:


    Couldn’t of said it better myself Roofer!


    You guys should try and follow me next winter. I’ll promise to help pull you out on the return trip.

    Roofer
    Minnesota
    Posts: 79
    #769498

    OK, I’ll be there.

    jtimm
    Mora,MN
    Posts: 198
    #769608

    Where we going?

    Roofer
    Minnesota
    Posts: 79
    #769611

    Just for a little ride one day………

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