Like in the title, I now am the proud owner of my first ATV. A farmer had this since new, it has 815 miles on it, no cracks, scratches other than the skid plate is bent in front and needs a battery but the starter does work. He has been using Mobile 1 in the engine. Does the engine and tranny share the same oil? I'm concerned about the proper care I need to do in order to keep it in working condition. I have been reading the forums on oils for wet clutches and don't want to do anything wrong even though it is an older ATV. I have a farm also but don't plan on abusing it too much, unless I get a wild hair, lol, Mainly, I guess I'm asking for advice on maintenance and upkeep for this machine. Thanks everyone in advance.
Eddy

 

Some good basic oil info: <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm
">http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm
</a>

It does share the same oil between the engine and trans. A wet clutch should have an oil that is rated JASO MA, and that will only be a motorcycle specific oil.

There is a Mobil 1 motorcycle oil. Use to be called MX4T, but now called Racing 4T, or something like that. Most likely, if he isn't into motorcycle engine maintenance, he was using Mobil 1 car oil which more than likely contains friction modifiers that are not great for a wet clutch.

If you pick an oil that is API SG/JASO MA, you won't go wrong. Beyond that, the synthetics are superior to plain old petroleum oils in many ways. Mobil 1 is a group IV PAO synthetics. My personal preference is Maxima Extra, a group V ester synthetic. http://www.maximausa.com/techn...enews/LubeNews2002.pdf

 

Change the oil in the front and rear final drive gear cases as well. Use a GL5 "hypoid" gear oil, 80W85. I think your front differential is an "open" design, and in 99 they had not yet changed to the newer torque sensing diff (???). Sometimes the clutches in these will stick, and if the front starts fighting you, you may need to add a bit of friction modifier to the front (????).

And, be sure you don't put the engine oil filter in backward!

No doubt, it could use a valve adjustment as well!

 

Thank you for your response. I will take your advice. The guy does have the owners manual but I won't pick it up until thursday. Hope to have many trouble free miles out of it. When I rode it Sunday, it shifted out and ran like a new one. From the looks of the oil, it has been changed but I'll do it again as soon as I get it.
Thanks again
Eddy

 

Can anyone tell me what the battery drain issue and fix is for the 99 foreman es. The guy I bought it from said the battery was dead and after reading some posts in the forum, I'm understanding there was a recall to repair this. I plan on buying a battery companion to keep it on float charge but would like to make sure its fixed in case I'm away from home with it. Thanks again
Eddy