Summer Storage Guide

Treating the Fuel System

As the riding season draws to a close, Polaris recommends riders begin treating their snowmobile’s fuel system with Polaris Carbon Clean or similar commercially-available fuel stabilizer.

Treating the fuel system with Carbon Clean during the last few rides of the season ensures the entire fuel system is treated. Then, when it comes time to store the snowmobile, all the rider has to do is completely fill the fuel tank with fresh, non-oxygenated fuel and treat the new fuel with Carbon Clean.
It is also recommended riders use non-oxygenated fuel during the last rides of the season as non-oxygenated fuel stores better than oxygenated fuel and resists water vapor absorption.
If the rider was unable to treat the fuel system and/or use non-oxygenated fuel at the end of the riding season, the rider should do the following:

The rider should consume as much fuel in the fuel tank as possible during the last rides of the season.
When performing the summerization storage procedures, fill the fuel tank completely with non-oxygenated fuel. Note that most oxygenated fuels contain ethanol. Since ethanol is hydroscopic, oxygenated fuel will absorb a small amount of water vapor during the storage season and more so in humid locations. Completely filling the tank with non-oxygenated fuel minimizes water vapor absorption during the storage period and limits the amount of air and water vapor that can accumulate in the tank.
Treat the fuel in the fuel tank with the recommend amount of Polaris Carbon Clean. The recommended mixing ratio is outlined on the bottle label.
Position the snowmobile outside in a well-ventilated area.
Start and run the engine for 10-15 minutes to distribute the treated fuel throughout the fuel system.

NOTICE

On Carbureted engines (550cc / 120 Youth), run the engine for 10-15 minutes and then turn the fuel shut off valve to ‘OFF’. Continue to run the engine until the engine stalls and turns off. Doing this drains the carburetors of fuel.

Fogging the Engine

Fogging the engine with Polaris fogging oil or similar commercial alternative is probably the most important storage step a rider can do to ensure the internal parts of their snowmobile’s engine do not rust and corrode during the storage season.

To fog the engine, do the following:

Remove the spark plugs from the engine.
Liberally spray fogging oil into each spark plug hole. If possible, have an assistant slowly pull on the recoil rope to rotate the engine while spraying the oil into each cylinder.

Loosely install the spark plugs.

NOTICE

Do not install new spark plugs after fogging the cylinders. Fogging oil prevents the formation of rust / corrosion by sticking to the internal engine components – including the spark plug electrodes. Replace these spark plugs the following season after all of the fogging oil has been burned out of the engine.

Drive Belt Storage

Never leave the drive belt installed in the clutches as oxidation may form where the belt contacts the aluminum clutch sheave faces.

To clean the drive and driven clutches, do the following:

Remove the primary and secondary drive belt from the snowmobile.
Inspect the drive belt for wear and glazing. Compare the primary belt with the back-up (secondary) belt. Decide if a new belt is needed next season and note the primary belt can now be used as the back-up belt next season.
Clean the driven and driven clutch sheaves with Isopropyl Alcohol. Allow the alcohol to air dry. Continue cleaning the sheave faces until all belt residue is removed.

Battery/Electrical System Storage

Never leave a battery unattended during the storage season. Snowmobile batteries are small and cannot maintain their charge over the storage season. To ensure your battery maintains its level of charge, the battery should be connected to a battery tender/trickle charger using the battery tender port .

While the battery can remain installed on the snowmobile, it is recommended the battery be removed from the snowmobile and stored in a cool, and dry location. Removing the battery from the snowmobile facilitates off-site storage of the snowmobile where electricity may not be available to connect a battery tender. In addition, removing the battery allows access to other maintenance items, such as the chaincase chain tensioner bolt.
Connect a Polaris battery tender or equivalent commercially available tender to the battery.
Inspect the electrical connections and wire harnesses throughout the snowmobile. If damage is found, make a note of the damage so that you and your authorized Polaris dealer can address the concern.

Chaincase

Never leave ‘used’ lubricant in the chaincase during the storage season. Doing so may leave water present in the chaincase which may cause corrosion and rust.

Follow the Owner’s Manual procedures and drain / fill the chaincase with new Polaris SCL (Synthetic Chaincase Lubricant). All Polaris PRO-RIDE and AXYS snowmobile feature ‘fill-to-spill’ lubricant fill specifications which makes it relatively ‘easy’ to re-fill the chaincase.
Rotate the driven clutch in the direction of forward vehicle travel to move the chain slack to the tensioner-side of the drive system. Lock the parking brake.
Loosen the drive chain adjuster lock nut. Turn the adjuster screw inwards until it can no longer be turned by hand.
At this point, turn the adjuster nut ¼ turn counter clockwise.

Tighten and then torque the jam nut to the specification listed in the Owner’s Manual. Release the parking brake.

NOTE

If the snowmobile is equipped with a transmission (Titan / WideTrak snowmobiles), there is not a drive chain adjustment procedure.

Cleaning the Snowmobile

Snowmobiles, especially those transported on sled decks and open trailers can accumulate allot of water and road dirt / salt during the riding season. The snowmobile must be thoroughly washed and cleaned to prevent corrosion and rust formation.

Wash the snowmobile with a garden hose and a solution of soapy water. Note that if a pressure washer is used, care should be taken to not point the pressure washer nozzle close to the snowmobile which may force high pressure water into suspension / shock shaft seals and exposed electrical connectors.
Dry the snowmobile with a lint-free towel. Allow the entire snowmobile to air dry afterwards.
Clean the engine compartment. Use a shop vacuum if required to remove dirt, leaves, cat tails, etc. from within the engine compartment.
Hand wash the exhaust system and dry the pipe and silencer with a clean shop towel.

Apply “spray” metal protectant on exposed metal components, such as the exhaust pipe, silencer, shock shafts, and suspension springs / pivots.

IMPORTANT

Do not spray metal protectant on the drive or driven clutches.

Lubricate the Pivots

After washing the snowmobile, it is important to use Polaris Premium All Season grease to lubricate the various suspension / steering pivot points. Doing so forces any water accumulated within the joints out which prevents the formation of corrosion and rust.

Use a grease gun and Polaris Premium All Season Grease. Reference the appropriate Owner’s Manual to locate any / all grease zerks on the steering and suspension systems.
Pump fresh grease into all zerks until the grease can be seen purging out of each joint.
Use a paper towel to clean up and remove all of the residual purged grease from the joints.

Storing the Snowmobile

Never store the snowmobile in a hot, humid location if possible. Try to store the snowmobile away from direct sunlight.

Cover the snowmobile with a Polaris cover or after-market equivalent cover.
Store in a location always from water, tall grass, and direct sunlight. The storage location should have some level of ventilation to prevent stagnant, humid air from accumulating in and around the snowmobile.