Maintenance, Extended storage – Polaris Widetrack LX User Manual
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MAINTENANCE
Extended Storage
Off-season or extended storage of your snowmobile requires preventive
measures to aid against deterioration and to prolong the useful life of
many components.
Cleaning and Preservation
Proper storage starts with cleaning, washing, and waxing the hood,
chassis, and plastic parts. Wipe down remaining surfaces with a damp
cloth. Clean and touch up with paint any rusted or previously painted
surfaces. Be sure that corrosive salt and acids are removed from surfaces
before beginning preservation with waxes and rust inhibitors (grease, oil
or paint).
The snowmobile should be stored in a dry garage or shed, out of direct
sunlight, and covered with a fabric snowmobile cover. Plastic tarp may
cause condensation to form and damage snowmobile components.
Engine and Carburetor Protection
Proper preparation of the engine and fuel system is vital to the preven-
tion of rust and corrosion on precision engine parts during storage.
Whenever the snowmobile is stored for a period of more than 60 days,
the engine must be fogged with fogging oil. Follow the engine fogging
instructions provided on the can. See page 101.
Always add Premium Carbon Clean or a fuel conditioner/stabilizer to
the fuel tank. Follow the instructions on the can, running the engine for
five minutes to get additives through the entire fuel system. Top off with
fresh fuel.
Tip: For easier starting after extended storage, add lubricant to the fuel in the
tank at a 40:1 ratio and run the engine for three to five minutes before stor-
age. This will lubricate the fuel pump diaphragm to keep it flexible and help
prevent loss of prime.
If stabilizer is not used, drain the carburetors by removing the water trap
drain plugs (see page 71). Catch fuel in a container or shop cloth. Rein-
stall plugs securely. Observe all fire safety rules when draining carbure-
tors. See gasoline warnings on page 49.
Tip: Jet restriction caused by improper storage can cause lean conditions and
very poor slow speed driving quality.