Old Snowmobile Maintenance

[Southern Elk]

I bought 2 1990 model Polaris Indy sleds this summer. They are in mint condition and had just been sitting in an old mans garage for years. There’s only 350 miles on each one. I briefly cranked them both when I bought them. I’m new to snowmobiles. What sort of maintenance would you recommend doing before riding them?

 

[Seeleylakehunter]

I would first take the carb off and clean really well. Even if it hasn't been run much. I would check all fuel lines and primer tubing. Dump all fuel from tank . Get on amazon and get a thing called a hotdog warmer. You will thank me later. Best of luck.

 

[warmer]

If you get them running and want to ride them very much you will get very familiar with snowmobiles and repairing them.

 

[Addicting]

I would first take the carb off and clean really well. Even if it hasn't been run much. I would check all fuel lines and primer tubing. Dump all fuel from tank . Get on amazon and get a thing called a hotdog warmer. You will thank me later. Best of luck.

This is spot on, the only thing I will add is to replace the plastic tube and fuel pump.

The lines were not meant for Ethanol fuel which you will end up putting in it. It will not take very much for it to eat thru them. Or cause a flap inside the tube to create havoc.

Be prepared to replace the gas shock in the suspension. The rubber O rings are likely dry rotted and doomed for failure from sitting.

Once you get thru these issues you are going to have a pair of great sleds.

 

[huronmtns]

Also lubricate any mechanical joints. Suspension, steering, drive chain, and take it to someone that is maintenance person for the clutches. Lubrication could have dried out and may cause some early failure. Those machines are in to good of shape for their age not to keep the collector value.

 

[MTTW]

I would do lots of 600 pound dead lifts to get in shape before you even put gas in them.

 

[MThuntr]

I've been told boats and sleds are both holes in the water you throw money into...just different forms of water.

 

[stillkickin]

All of the above advice is spot on, don’t run or drive either one until it’s all done.

Better to spend 2-300$ on each machine for prevention than have a really expensive cure

 

[Nameless Range]

I've been told boats and sleds are both holes in the water you throw money into...just different forms of water.

I don't own snowmobiles, but my observation is that they are like sprinkler systems. Everyone who's got one has got one that's broken.

Jokes aside, hope you and your family have a blast on those @Southern Elk. They look awesome.

 

[Addicting]

Also, don’t use one by it self anywhere your not prepared to walk back from. There is a reason everyone carries a tow rope.

 

[NoWiser]

Check carb boots for cracks. They get brittle and crack over time and that’ll burn up your engine. If it’s oil-injection, you may just want to bypass it and mix your own fuel to be safe.

I’ve had good experience with my 18 year old ski-do mxz. It’s never failed me. I clean carbs and check it over each fall and it’s never given me a bit of trouble. I’ve had the shocks rebuilt once and should probably do it again. I take it to Canada fishing and go many places where breaking down would mean spending the night in -30 temps. So far so good.

 

[JT88]

We grew up with a bunch of older sleds. It seems like we worked on them more than we rode them, but it was a lot of fun. It's a great way to teach a kid the cost of transportation. I still remember my dad telling us if we ever rode alone to ride into the wind so that when the sled breaks down you can walk back to the house with the wind.

 

[FI460]

Spare parts. Belts and spark plugs.

As others have said, buddy system and a tow strap.

 

[johnp]

Starting cords get old and break at the most inopportune times . Chain case sprockets will strip out over time or because of ice in old oil. Good luck .

 

[warmer]

Had it in my first post , but I took it out, "Snowmobiles are like women, you work on them for two hours so you can ride them for two minutes."

 

[Southern Elk]

Thanks for all of the information. Sounds like I’ve got a lot work to do.