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Power Tip #22

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Snowmobile storage proceedures. As promissed.

Apr 22/04
O/K, here are the basic procedures to store any snowmobile.
1) Completely wash the snowmobile including the suspension and underneath.
2) Add the required amount gasoline stabilizer to gas tank.
3) Remove the Drive Belt. Do NOT loosen off the track as they tend to shrink if loose.
4) Grease the entire chassis where provided for as outlined in your operators manual.
5) Get ready to fog the engine. If there are primer fittings or capped off nipples on the intake sides of the carburetors you can use some primer hose to spray storage oil into them, otherwise you need to remove the intake air box so you can spray the oil directly into the carbs. Start the engine and let it warm up for a couple of minutes so the stabilized gas can get through the lines and fuel pump. Start spraying the storage oil into the previously installed hose or directly into the carbs. You need to go slowly at first to make sure the engine does not stall out too soon. You want to get LOTS of storage oil into the engine and give enough time to get distributed around all the internal engine parts. Once you get at least 1/2 the can into the engine you can let it stall out or shut it off quickly.
6) If the machine has fuel shut-offs, turn them off now. If there are no shut offs visible on the machine you need to unhook the gas line(s) off the carburetor(s) and plug it(them).
7) You need to drain the remaining gas out of the carburetor float bowls, either with provided drain screws or by removing the float bowl plug. Make sure you tighten them back in.
8) Re-install the air box or carb plugs if you have removed them.
9) Remove the spark plugs and spray about 1 tablespoon of storage oil directly into each cylinder through the spark plug hole. Turn the engine over slowly 2 complete revolutions to distribute that oil throughout the upper cylinders. Put the old spark plugs back in.
10) Using a metal protector such as Bombardier Lube spray down ALL the exposed metal parts on the whole snowmobile. Use lots, make sure to get some on both of the clutches and all the shock absorbers. You can always use some storage oil instead of metal protector but it leaves more of a mess to clean up in the fall.
11) Spray some oil onto an old rag and stuff it into the exhaust outlets to keep the rodents out.
12) Last step, cover the machine to protect it from bumps, dogs and the damaging UV rays from the sun.
Now have a beer, you are done!

Reader Comments

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Apr 23/04 Bryan N., Courtice
On your instructions, I don't disconnect the fuel lines, but I drain the fuel from the carbs. Do I need to disconnect them? Will the gas just flow back into the carb otherwise?
Reply from Mark: When the gas tank gets warm and builds up pressure it forces gas through the fuel pump into the carbs. I have seen lots of problems caused by this. If you could leave the gas cap loose, maybe taped loose that would help BUT that causes more grief with deteriorating gasoline not kept under pressure.

Apr 23/04 Bryan N., Courtice
Thanks for the tip on the fuel line, I will disconnect for sure then.

Apr 30/04 Scotty D., Georgetown
Beer Wolf doesn't do it like that!!!!! He has a beer first, right???????

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