Maintenance Tips

1. ATV Cleaning

2. Off-Road storage tips

3. Summer storage of your snowmobile

4. General maintenance of your generator

ATV Cleaning

Frequent, thorough cleaning of your machine will not only enhance its appearance but will also improve its general performance and extend the useful life of many components.

1. Block off the end of the exhaust pipe to prevent water entry.

2. Make sure the spark plug and all filler caps are properly installed.

3. If the engine case is excessively greasy, apply degreaser with a paintbrush. Do not apply degreaser to the wheel axles.

4. Rinse the dirt and degreaser off with a garden hose. Only use enough pressure to do the job. Excessive water pressure may cause water seepage and deterioration of wheel bearings, brakes, transmission seals and electrical devices.*

5. Once the majority of the dirt has been hosed off, wash all surfaces with warm water and mild, detergent-type soap. An old toothbrush or bottlebrush is handy for hard-to-reach places.

6. Rinse the machine off immediately with clean water and dry all surfaces with a chamois, clean towel or soft absorbent cloth.

7. Clean the seat with vinyl upholstery cleaner to keep the cover pliable and glossy.

8. Automotive type wax may be applied to all painted and chrome plated surfaces. Avoid combination cleaner-waxes. Many contain abrasives, which may mar the paint or protective finish. When finished, start the engine and let it idle for several minutes.

WARNING! Potential Hazard: Operation with wet brakes after washing Wet brakes may have reduced stopping ability, increasing the chance of an accident. Test the brakes after washing. Apply the brakes several times at slow speeds to let friction dry out the linings.

*Excessive water pressure may cause water seepage and deterioration of wheel bearings, brakes, transmission seals and electrical devices.

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Off-Road storage tips

This information can be applied to all models of off-road and competition machines.

1. Before storing the machine, disassemble and grease the steering headset swingarm pivot and all suspension linkages.
2. Change the engine/transmission oil and install a new oil filter on 4-stroke models.
3. Spray the entire machine (except the brake disks) with Yamaha Silicone Spray (Part Number ACC-11000-74-00), or a WD40 type lubricant.
4. Inflate the tires to 20psi each (remember to adjust the pressures when the unit goes back into service).
5. Storage periods are a good opportunity to service (change fork oil, change shock oil and nitrogen recharge) competition machines.
6. Store 4-stroke models with the piston on the compression stroke to take the load off the valve springs.

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Summer storage of your snowmobile

By Roy Jarvis, Yamaha Service Technician

During the summer months, a snowmobile is subjected to high temperatures that can cause greater rates of chemical activity. This chemical activity acts on several areas of the snowmobile and can cause degradation of its durability. As an example: the batteries charge will deteriorate, seat covers can crack and obviously the gasoline will become stale. The purpose of storing your snowmobile properly is to try and reduce the chance of any part of it failing due to lack of use.

When storing your snowmobile, completely clean and polish it. Use a cleaning solvent on greasy areas with a high pressure car washer. However, use caution. The water from a high pressure car washer can easily be forced under decals and past bearing seals, which will cause the decals to peel and the bearings to corrode. With the machine, engine and drive system clean and dry, inspect for damage, wear or cracks. Scratches and bare metal spots can be spray painted. Most snowmobiles use plastic skis, however if your snowmobile has steel skis be sure to paint the ski bottoms as a part of your storage ritual.

Basic Storage Preparations:

1. For fuel injected models completely fill the fuel tank with gasoline and add a fuel conditioner / stabilizer in proper proportions to preserve the fuel. By limiting the air space within the fuel tank, you ensure that oxidization of the fuel will be minimal and condensation cannot occur. Start the engine and run it for a few minutes to allow the freshly treated fuel to work its way into the throttle bodies.
2. For carbureted models be sure to completely drain the fuel tank and carburetor float bowls.
3. After the engine has cooled off, remove the spark plug caps and spark plugs. Pour a teaspoon of engine oil (Yamalube 4 0W30) into each spark plug bore. Install the spark plug caps onto the spark plugs, and then place the spark plugs on the cylinder head so that the electrodes are grounded. Turn the engine over several times with the starter allowing the oil to coat the cylinder walls. Remove the spark plugs from the spark plug caps, and then install the spark plugs and the spark plug caps.
4. Remove the drive belt and be sure to store it “unrolled”. This prevents damage to the drive belt and clutches. If the belt was left on the machine, it would set to its installed shape and not rotate properly around the clutches when the snowmobile was put into use the following season. This also prevents the possibility of condensation forming between the belt and clutch sheaves.
5. Reduce the tension on the track by loosening the rear axle nut and then backing off the track tensioning nuts to their limit. This prevents the track from stretching and cracking during the storage period.
6. Coat all exposed metal surfaces nuts, bolts, fasteners with preserving oil like WD40. This will prevent them from rusting. Keep the oil away from plastic and rubber parts so they don’t deteriorate. Also be sure to lubricate all specified points as pointed out within your owner’s manual with grease or oil (Yamalube 5W30).
7. Remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry place making sure it is out of the sunlight. Charge the battery once a month with a small charger that is rated at no more than 2 amp/hr. The recommended type of charger for this procedure is available from your local Yamaha dealer.

Store the snowmobile in a dry place away from all sources of moisture and animals (birds and rodents). The snowmobile should be loosely covered and safely stored on blocks. Blocks should be safely placed under the front frame section and rear bumper. The track and skis should be suspended above the floor / storage area surface in order to allow the snowmobiles shock absorbers to be stored in an unloaded state. Do not start the engine during the storage period, as this may remove the oil from inside the engine.

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General maintenance of your generator

In order to keep the generator in good operating condition, periodic maintenance and adjustment is required. Perform the service and inspection at the intervals shown in the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.

The following is a general guideline for servicing. Consult your owner’s manual for specific recommendations:

Each use: Check oil level and air filter.

First month or 20 hours: Change engine oil.

Every 3 months or 50 hours: Clean air filter.

Every 6 months or 100 hours: Change engine oil, clean sediment cup, check/clean spark plug, clean spark arrester.

Every year or 300 hours: Check/adjust valve clearance, clean fuel tanks and strainer.

Every 2 years: Check fuel line, and replace if necessary.

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