ATV Valve Maintenance: Part Two

outboard motor oilYesterday we reviewed the importance of performing routine ATV maintenance, such as checking the outboard motor oil and performing minor tune-ups. One relatively simple task that most people can do on their own is valve adjustments. (Refer to yesterday’s post for a complete list of all of the tools that you will need.) The first step is to remove the rear fender seat assembly and unhook the negative connection of the battery to prevent accidental starting. Next, remove the front plastic and fenders-also be sure to disconnect the wiring for the headlights and ignition.

The last thing that needs to be removed is the fuel tank. After turning off the fuel valve and disconnecting the fuel line, remove the fuel tank heat protector. During this process, be sure to note where the connection points, as well as the placement of all of the parts that you remove. Now that all of the covering and fuel lines have been disconnected, it is time to adjust the valves-but that will have to wait until tomorrow.

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ATV Valve Maintenance: Part One

yamalube

While most people don’t have the knowhow to completely rebuild their ATV engine, it is important to have awareness of some of the basic components and tune-ups of your vehicle. Understanding how to make minor adjustments and change vital fluids, like your Yamalube oil, can extend the life of your vehicle and improve performance. Valve adjustments are some of the most basic maintenance tasks and can be done with just a few simple tools:

~Socket wrenches and several rackets with extensions
~Combination wrenches
~Allen wrenches
~Screwdrivers
~Feeler gauges
~Safety equipment

Before you start, it is important that you have a clean and open work space; it is also a good idea to clean the vehicle and degrease the motor. Tomorrow we will delve into the actual repairs.

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The Great Outdoors in Calgary

Canada154Calgary, Alberta is one of the most beautiful locations in the world. While in the city you have all the amenities you would come to expect from an urban metropolis, on the outskirts you have gorgeous properties situated in the wilderness. Calgary is a unique area because it enjoys hot summers and cold winters. In the summer the temperature can reach beyond 100 F, and during the winter the temperature often dips below 0 F.

You will also find that Calgary receives a lot of snow each year, making it a great place for all kinds of winter activities. Every Christmas my family and I take a trip to my parents’ house in the middle of the Calgary wilderness. They have a good deal of land, and my dad keeps several snowmobiles on the premises. Since he is getting on in years, he doesn’t have the opportunity to go out much or maintain the vehicles. Every year my son and I do some basic maintenance on the vehicles, including minor tune-ups and replacing the Evinrude XD100 oil.

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Routine Boat Maintenance

COOLANTAs all boat owners will tell you, keeping your watercraft in optimal condition is vital to maintaining performance and resale value. Many people find it necessary to bring their boat to a mechanic every time it needs a tune up, but most of the basic adjustments can be made in just a few minutes. Learning a few of the fundamentals of basic boat maintenance will save you time and money in the long run.

One of the most important, and basic, aspects of boat maintenance is ensuring proper fluid levels; this means keeping a close eye on your transmission fluid, outboard motor oil and, of course, gasoline. Another crucial element to boat maintenance is keeping your engine clean. Flushing the engine periodically will prevent buildup and keep your boat running smoothly.

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Maintaining your outboard motor.

outboard-motor-2Most outboard motors will run fine for years with little or no attention. If you notice that your outboard motor is running at a slow speed or idle problem then you should consider getting a major tune which includes:

Removing cylinder heads to de-carbon pistons and heads
Remove and rebuild carburetors
Replace plugs
Replace thermostat(s) and water pump
Re-torque cover bolts, etc.
Check and/or reset all adjustments
Change and/or re-lube as needed

Make sure that you are using a good boat motor oil like the Yamaha 2s oil which helps to protect the life of the motor.

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Inspect Before you Buy at a Boat Auction

inspect

When you go to a boat auction it is a good idea to do a boat inspection to make sure that you know what you are bidding on. Here is a list of things to look for:

Quick walk-around – walk around the boat and check the hull, pay particular attention to the stem, chines and strakes. If there has been a collision you will see cracks there.

Shake the I/O – if you shake the I/O and it has alot of play then it might need gimbal bearings. Also check around the seals and gaskets for leaks.

Check the dipstick – check to see if the dipstick smells burned or looks milky. I could be the wrong viscosity or was never changed.

Check the wiring – bare wire and terminators that are twisted together or sealed with electrical tape are bad.

Test the fuel and oil – The gasoline sold today is 10% ethanol. This attrackts moisture which separates in the fuel tank. Water in the engine or boat motor oil is bad news. This can lead to a cracked block.

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Basic Vehicle Maintenance

maintenance

For any vehicle to run properly, it should be maintained constantly. Vehicles run down because their owners abuse them. You don’t just hop in your car and gas it up and expect it to run at peak performance, and the same thought process should extend to all of your vehicles. Here are some tips to remember to help you keep your vehicle in tip top condition.

~Wash the inside as well as the outside; gunk can build up in the engine over time.

~Have your vehicle checked periodically. Your mechanic should be able to catch any problems that may have arisen since its maiden voyage.

~Change your brake pads as soon as they start to show signs of wear and tear.

~Get an oil change. Choose high-performance Evinrude oil and recycle your old oil.

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Want To Take A Ride In The Snow?

bombardier_snowToday there are literally hundreds of attachments and accessories for your ATV that can make it adept in virtually any climate. Not only will they allow you to tackle treacherous terrain, but they will also make your ride more comfortable, fun and safe. Just search for the right stuff for you and you can be on your way to a lot of fun trips.

You can start with basic maintenance accessories like air filters, oil filters, exhaust, engine parts, batteries and XD50 oil. Your ATV has to run smoothly first before taking it out for a ride. Then you can accessorize with handlebars, bumpers, boot guards, lights, and more. You will also find snow plow accessories so you can ride in the snow. There are so many accessories to jazz up your ATV and it is all up to your creativity.

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Keeping Your ATV Its Cleanest

atvAny ATV enthusiast knows just how much abuse an ATV can take. Whether you take them through marshy land or over boulder fields, an ATV is often revved and ridden over tough terrain. In addition to receiving the inevitable scratches and dents that come with that rough terrain, your ATV is also likely to sustain more superficial damage such as excessive mud and dirt. But if you want to keep your ATV shiny after a full day of riding, it’s not that difficult.

Even with the toughest mud and weeks of caked on grime, there are a number of ATV cleaning and detailing products that are specially designed to get that kind of job done. Sometimes soap and water just aren’t going to cut it, unless you want to trudge through several washings. And when the vehicle is free of all evidence of mud puddle splashes, you can finish it off with any of number of detailing products. These will bring your ATV to a high shine and help make it look brand new again. Once your ATV is clean, be sure to check the Yamalube 2M and other fluid levels.

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The Two-Stroke v. Four-Stroke Debate

Outboard-MotorAfter dealing with motor vehicles for the better part of my life, this question is one of the most consistent and polarizing that I encounter. Many people simply think that four is better than two, while others assume that a two-stroke must be more efficient. The truth of the matter is that the type of engine that you choose is dependent upon your particular needs and wants.

There are two types of two-strokes: the old-fashioned gas guzzling models and newer direct-injection (DI) engines that are extremely fuel efficient. For the most part, these DI engines are the lightest models on the market. Four-strokes run quieter than their two-stroke counterparts and generally provide a smoother overall experience. One of the main disparities is that with a four-stroke motor the outboard motor oil goes directly in the engine, whereas in a two-stroke it is mixed in with the gas-which can be a hassle.

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Get Good Gear for Smooth Riding

Make your ATV adventures as fun as they can be by having all the things you need within reach. Dress for the part by keeping in step with the latest fashions in ATV apparel. Wear cool helmets and sturdy boots combined with great sunglasses for a really hip look. Shop for ATV accessories online and see just how wide the range of choices you have.

Don’t forget to also stock up on these extra parts in case you encounter any hitches:atv

~Air filters, oil filters, exhaust parts
~Batteries and accessories
~Bearings, intake, nerf handlebars
~Engine parts, axles, snow plow accessories
~ATV tire chains, bumpers, sprockets, sparkplug wrenches
~Extra fuel and Evinrude XD100 oil

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Early Season Snowmobile Maintenance: Part Three

rush_body0223The last two days we have reviewed some of the basic checks that you should go through every time that you take your snowmobile out. Once you have ensured that the Yamalube 2W oil and other fluid levels are sufficient, and tested all of the main systems of your craft, you’re ready to hit the powder. There is one other component that you will need to check periodically, however: the chassis.

The chassis is the central steering component of the snowmobile, and routine maintenance will ensure that there isn’t excessive wear and tear imparted on the system. Two or three times during the snowmobile season-depending on how often you go out-apply a high quality grease that is designed for low temperatures. By combining the last three days of maintenance tips, you will improve the performance and longevity of your vehicle.

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