Arctic Cat valve adjustment

[Dana]

I have a couple of 400 Arctic Cats (01&03) that I'm being told need to
have valve adjustments done periodically. I've got about 2000 miles on
these machines and I'm wondering if anyone has heard about this
periodic valve adjustment? Does anyone have an opinion?

[bri...@skybest.com]

I have a 99 arctic cat 300. The dealer has told me that the valves
needed to be ajusted over time but not periodically. Mine has around
3,750 miles on it and still runs strong and I have never had the valves
adjusted.

[Pieter Litchfield]

Here's info straight from my service manual. However, this is for a year
2000 400/500cc, not later models. You may want to check with a dealer to be
sure the same info applies to your model year.

The service manual calls for a tappet adjustment every 6 months or 600
miles. The tappet clearance should be 0.05 - 0.10 mm for the intake and
0.22 - 0.28 mm for the exhaust with a cold engine. There is a special
adjustment tool pn 0444-078, or a feeler gauge can be used.
This procedure requires removal of the seat assembly, side panels, and gas
tank.

By the way, for a year 2000 250/300cc, the intake valve/tappet clearance is
.013mm intake, .25mm exhaust, cold engine.

"Dana" <dana_...@pinetreecomposition.com> wrote in message
news:1140611662....@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...

[zerowick]

what a pain in the nads!

[Pieter Litchfield]

"zerowick" <zero...@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:SdedneRMEILKq2Le...@adelphia.com...

> what a pain in the nads!

For sure! That's why I have the dealer do a once-a-year everything service
so I can just tear it down once. I don't put a lot of miles on, so I change
the oil and filter a couplde of times myself (it helps to have the special
AC oild filter wrench), and have a major servie once a year. The service
manual intervals seem extreme - unless you are having a problem or hear
funny noises, I think adjusting the valves evert 600 miles is a bit insane.

Other 600 mile items:
(C=clean, L=lube, I=inspect D=drain,R=replace, A=adjust)

Engine oil & Filter (R)
Throttle cable (C,L)
Carb float chamber (D)
Tires (I)
Steering components (I)
Nuts/screws (I)
Choke cable (I)
Complete brake system (C)
Brake Pads (I)
Brake Fluid (I)
Brake Hoses (I)
Upper arms (L)

Of course some of these are also scheduled for other intervals.

Yearly items also include:

Engine compression (I)
Front/rear drive lubricant (R)
Ignition timing (I)

I usually have all the 600 mile and once a year items done once a year plus
change the plug, inspect plug wires, and inspect front axle boots.

On a weekly basis I check oil & coolant levels, tire pressures, and look for
damage to the frame, body and axle boots.

I rarely have mechanical failures in the field.

[zerowick]

I have a similar program, engine oil and filter myself a few times a year
and a once a year "all fluids" change at a local shop. sp600 has a
maintenance free hydraulic valve train so I should never have to crack into
it.