Long time between use

[glen1971]

I was wondering if anyone has any input on what I should check on my argo after it has sat for about 15 months between rides... It has been stored inside the garage the whole time, started a few times, and on a battery tender...
I will be checking the battery terminals, tire pressure, and greasing the chains...I added fuel stabilizer in the spring of 2010...
I was wondering about:
- greasing the axles seals?
- anything else?

There ain't a mouse in the machine at all...
Thanx for any input!!
Glen

[plott hound]

grease her up,lube the chains,check the tranny fluid and anti freeze if applicable.give it an oil change and ride on.

[Rock Doctor]

With gas that old in it, I would be tempted to siphon half out and add fresh stuff. Wouldn't hurt to add a little ATF to the gas too. Especially if you have the Kawi engine.

RD

[glen1971]

With gas that old in it, I would be tempted to siphon half out and add fresh stuff. Wouldn't hurt to add a little ATF to the gas too. Especially if you have the Kawi engine.

RD

Kohler EFI motor.. Will do the siphon idea too.. Put it into the work truck...lol..

And it is due for an oil change.. Guess I'll run it into CN Argo in Calgary before huntin season...

[racerone3]

With gas that old in it, I would be tempted to siphon half out and add fresh stuff. Wouldn't hurt to add a little ATF to the gas too. Especially if you have the Kawi engine.

RD

glad to hear I'm not the only one who puts a bit of ATF in the gas from time to time

[Rock Doctor]

glad to hear I'm not the only one who puts a bit of ATF in the gas from time to time

I was running old gas in my Conquest one time, and was having problems with valves sticking, bending pushrods, engine backfireing, no power, ect. I knew what was wrong, but had no way to deal with it. A friend was with me in his machine, and happened to have some ATF. We siphoned out a bit of gas, mixed it with the oil, and dumped it back in the tank. Within about 10-15 min my engine was running a lot better (Smoked a very little bit). Since then, I always pack a little ATF with me, just in case. Those Kawi's are very finicky about old fuel in my experience. Symptoms are very similar to water in the fuel.

RD

[guyfox]

I was running old gas in my Conquest one time, and was having problems with valves sticking, bending pushrods, engine backfireing, no power, ect. I knew what was wrong, but had no way to deal with it. A friend was with me in his machine, and happened to have some ATF. We siphoned out a bit of gas, mixed it with the oil, and dumped it back in the tank. Within about 10-15 min my engine was running a lot better (Smoked a very little bit). Since then, I always pack a little ATF with me, just in case. Those Kawi's are very finicky about old fuel in my experience. Symptoms are very similar to water in the fuel.

RD

RD,

just wondering how much ATF you would put in your tank? My 02 conquest has good power on hard surfaces (ie old railway track) but when it comes under strain (ie hills or mud/swamp) is loses power. Would this have been caused from old gas being run in it. Just bought this pass winter and has about 575 hrs. Any suggestions on why it would lose power?

Thanks

guyfox

[GreatWhite]

Hey there. Unfortunately I don't have an answer for your power loss. I was told by the previous owner of my conquest that he always ran a tad of 2 stoke oil in the fuel. I would imagine this should work as good or better than ATF? Is there something special about the ATF fluid that I am missing?

I am also curious how much is being added to the fuel??

[mike bar]

RD,

just wondering how much ATF you would put in your tank? My 02 conquest has good power on hard surfaces (ie old railway track) but when it comes under strain (ie hills or mud/swamp) is loses power. Would this have been caused from old gas being run in it. Just bought this pass winter and has about 575 hrs. Any suggestions on why it would lose power?

Thanks

guyfox

Try new plugs. I have seen it happen before. also the air filter may be plugged.

[guyfox]

Try new plugs. I have seen it happen before. also the air filter may be plugged.

Thanks for the tip Mike....just changed the plugs but have not had a chance to take her out since....

[Rock Doctor]

RD,

just wondering how much ATF you would put in your tank? My 02 conquest has good power on hard surfaces (ie old railway track) but when it comes under strain (ie hills or mud/swamp) is loses power. Would this have been caused from old gas being run in it. Just bought this pass winter and has about 575 hrs. Any suggestions on why it would lose power?

Thanks

guyfox

I was told by the previous owner of my conquest that he always ran a tad of 2 stoke oil in the fuel. I would imagine this should work as good or better than ATF? Is there something special about the ATF fluid that I am missing?

I am also curious how much is being added to the fuel??

I'm not going to pretend that I KNOW what I'm talking about, but here's what I think:
I think that ATF was all we had at the time when I first had this issue.
I think that ATF has Detergent in it as an additive, and have been told that it's a great "cleaner" in an engine (I know guys that add a liter to their Diesel trucks to keep the engine "clean" inside)
I think that when the valves start sticking, it's due to some build-up of "stuff" in the valve guides, and the ATF "cleans/removes" this build-up

Whatever happens, it seems to work, and I'm not saying it works "better" than 2-stroke oil. The only time I've added 2-stroke oil is when I ran out of gas and only had mixed Chainsaw gas with me.

I add between 1/2 and 1 liter, depending on how full my fuel tank is, and I don't use it regularily, only when I start having problems.

Hope that helps. Like I said, it's just what I tried and seems to work, there could be better ways to deal with the issue.

guyfox, if I understand the problem you describe, (and I might not), here are a couple things to think about:
If your clutches are not clean, or are due for a rebuild, they may not be "Backshifting" properly. This has the effect of......... keeping your machine in a higher gear. It could be that you just need to clean/lube the clutches, or it might be time to replace the Springs, Slider buttons, ect.

It could also be your style of driving. Do you back out of the throttle to let your clutches backshift before climbing a hill, or diving into a swamp? The 20hp Kawi is certainly NOT overpowered and can use all the help it can get. Some minor clutching mods can be a big help (Shim the spring in the Primary to slightly increase engagement RPM as well as increase the rate of Backshift. Increase the Secondary's spring tension slightly to help decrease the rate of Upshift, and also increase the rate of Downshift)
Other possibilities:
Dirty Carb
Low compression
Bad gas
Mechanical Load (Something binding or dragging....Trans)
Old Belt
Spark Plugs
Dirty Air/fuel Filter
Bent Pushrod
Sticky Throttle/Governor Assembly
Choke partially closed


RD

[guyfox]

I'm not going to pretend that I KNOW what I'm talking about, but here's what I think:
I think that ATF was all we had at the time when I first had this issue.
I think that ATF has Detergent in it as an additive, and have been told that it's a great "cleaner" in an engine (I know guys that add a liter to their Diesel trucks to keep the engine "clean" inside)
I think that when the valves start sticking, it's due to some build-up of "stuff" in the valve guides, and the ATF "cleans/removes" this build-up

Whatever happens, it seems to work, and I'm not saying it works "better" than 2-stroke oil. The only time I've added 2-stroke oil is when I ran out of gas and only had mixed Chainsaw gas with me.

I add between 1/2 and 1 liter, depending on how full my fuel tank is, and I don't use it regularily, only when I start having problems.

Hope that helps. Like I said, it's just what I tried and seems to work, there could be better ways to deal with the issue.

guyfox, if I understand the problem you describe, (and I might not), here are a couple things to think about:
If your clutches are not clean, or are due for a rebuild, they may not be "Backshifting" properly. This has the effect of......... keeping your machine in a higher gear. It could be that you just need to clean/lube the clutches, or it might be time to replace the Springs, Slider buttons, ect.

It could also be your style of driving. Do you back out of the throttle to let your clutches backshift before climbing a hill, or diving into a swamp? The 20hp Kawi is certainly NOT overpowered and can use all the help it can get. Some minor clutching mods can be a big help (Shim the spring in the Primary to slightly increase engagement RPM as well as increase the rate of Backshift. Increase the Secondary's spring tension slightly to help decrease the rate of Upshift, and also increase the rate of Downshift)
Other possibilities:
Dirty Carb
Low compression
Bad gas
Mechanical Load (Something binding or dragging....Trans)
Old Belt
Spark Plugs
Dirty Air/fuel Filter
Bent Pushrod
Sticky Throttle/Governor Assembly
Choke partially closed


RD

Thanks RD.

I think i will try the ATF first (3/4 tank for 3/4litre????) and then work down the list....

[GreatWhite]

Thanks RD. The ATF fluid theory makes sense. Really glad this site exists. I would be lost without it.