Working on an '01 300 4x4 for a friend. It is smoking very bad, especially at part to full throttle. It's definately oil smoke. The machine has been swamped twice and I believe it needs re-ringed. It still has good power and compression from the pull rope seems decent, but I haven't done a compression test on it yet. What's involved with re-ringing one? I have no experience with small engines, but have done a number of larger gas and diesel engine rebuilds. I assume the engine has to come out of the bike? and if so how much of a chore is that?
If this was my bike, I would jump right in and do it, but since it's not mine, I am a bit apprehensive about learning on someone else's bike. Is this something someone with average to above average mechanical capabilities can handle, or should I have him take it to a shop?

Thanks,

Jon

 

If someone on here doesn't respond you can try on arcticchat.com. They have quite a few arctic cat "experts"

 

Well first you need to determine if it is rings of valve seals. A compression check to find out. I would suspect valve seals as you say it still has good power. If it is valve seals you need to pull the head and replace the seals. If it is rings, I would suggest you replace the valve seals and have a valve job done anyway. Rings require pulling the jug (cylinder) which comes off easily after the head is off. I recommend you get a shop manual or this could go real bad quickly.

 

JD4020,

YOu need to go to a dealer or look on ebay and get a shop/service manual for that year. I also believe the 01 300 is the same as an 02, 03. THe manual give a detailed step by step process of how to get the engine out of the quad and back again. As well as how to take the top end (head) and can off.

Then it goes into further detail on checking each part for wear and tear. It is rather straight forward process. If you have experience with gas and diesel engines you shouldn't have a problem.

As Bear pointed out it could be either the rings or the valve seals allowing oil to blow by. Since the head is on top and has to be taken off first. You can always start there and go farther if you wish. I do not think its too expensive for the gasket to take the can off either. I am going to be doing the same thing with my 400 here when I get a chance.

Good Luck

SJ