When you purchase a snowmobile, you know you'll only ride it a few times out of the year (typically four months). This generally means it's stored for the remainder of the year (typically 8 months). It's imperative that you take the necessary precautions to store your snowmobile for the warm months that way you can enjoy it for the next season's cold, winter months.
To help you store your snowmobile and enjoy it next season, there are a few tips you need to know.
When The Winter Season Ends
Tip 1 - Climate Controlled Storage
When you get ready to store you snowmobile, you need a place that's climate controlled. There are many storage companies that offer this type of service so utilize them. However, you must be willing to pay for your snowmobile to be stored. However, if this is not practical or you don't have the kind of money it may take, then try to find a storage area that isn't susceptible to the wide range of temperature change. You don't want condensation to build up on any snowmobile part.
Tip 2 - Using WD-40
As you get ready to store your snowmobile, spray it down front to back, top to bottom with WD-40. Your snowmobile parts will stay lubricated while the snowmobile is not in use during those warmer months.
Tip 3 - What To Do With Your Fuel
There's great debate about whether or not you should leave the fuel in the tank or drain it out. Some snowmobile owners say that a full tank of gas in the sled is likely to cause condensation and corrosion. They also say that gas that is still in the tank for length of time will loose its effectiveness. However, other people say that having a drained tank prevents fuel deterioration. Some snowmobiles will use an oil mix. If the mix is in the tank for an extended period of time, the mixture can separate and clog other snowmobile parts. If you are unsure of what to do, read your owner's manual to see what the producer suggests is best.
Tip 4 - Look At Your Mechanics
Be sure to completely look over the mechanical parts on your snowmobile as you prepare it for storage. Be sure that everything is as it should be. That means each nut and bolt is tight, you repair damaged or missing parts and repair your snowmobile before you store it. You'll also want to take out the spark plugs and put a minute amount of two-cycle engine oil into each spark plug cylinder. This keeps the cylinder from getting rusty. Take an old rag and stuff it into any snowmobile openings like the exhaust pipe. This does two things: minimize condensation and keep rodents from making a nest. Remove the seat to your snowmobile.
When The Winter Season Begins
Tip 1 - Reinstall Your Spark Plugs
Make sure, before you install the spark plugs once more, to pull the rope to start the snowmobile. You want to do this so that the spark plug cylinder is suitably lubricated. Now install the spark plugs. You may also want to purchase new spark plugs each year and install those instead of the older ones.
Tip 2 - Checking Fluid Levels
All your fluid levels will need to be checked prior to your taking the snowmobile out. Anything that's near low or on empty will cause major damage to the snowmobile's engine.
Tip 3 - Paint Touch-up
If you have scratches or nicks on your snowmobile, touch them up with rust-resistant paint. If you don't, there's a strong possibility that the area will get larger and could become rusty or corroded.
Tip 4 - Add Wax
Before you get rearing to go, add one layer of wax to get the most out of your snowmobile and don't forget to reattach the seat correctly.
When you follow these eight before and after snowmobile storage tips, you will have years of enjoyment. Don't forget to read over your owner's manual and use it as a reference guide so that you are doing what is right by your snowmobile before you store it for seven to eight months.
If you are uncertain about anything, an expert can help you out. Be mindful that this can cost a lot of money each season and is quite unnecessary because you can do it for yourself. Just remember to slow down so you don't overlook anything and find a place to store your snowmobile for the remainder of the year.
