I have a 99 arctic cat 500 and i can not get that dang spark arrestor off the muffler...i wanted to get rid of the carbon molecules like it says in the manual but i striped the thing off and then took visegrips and got the tightest hold i could get on it and it just shaved the metal off it....any ideas??

 

I broke 2 wrenches trying to get it off. Snaped it right off.

[This message has been edited by BONER (edited 01-03-2000).]

 

get it cherry red with a torch first then try the vice grips

 

I think it would be easier to just drill another hole.

 

Yeah, your best bet is to get it hot with a torch, that will loosen up the carbon soot that is on the threads and you should be able to get it out. Before you put it back in clean up with a wire brush and put some anti-sieze on it. The next time you take it out it will be alot easier.

 

Try penetrating fluid. A lot of penetrating fluid over a couple of days, then try a small pipe wrench to what is left of the plug.
Definitely try the heat first. Once its out, liberally apply copper-nickel anti seize to the threads.

 

I haven't tried to take mine off yet, but I looked at it the other day and decided just not to mess with it for a while. I haven't read on that part yet. I'm also too lazy to get the manual and look it up. How often does it say to take it off. I know some Polaris(maybe all of them) have just a little pipe. You don't have to take anything off. I like that better.

 

Theres one proublm with that...i have no tourch. i might could find one. Ive tried liquid wrench and its kinda hard cuz it wants to drip down instead threw the threads.

 

The WD-40 penetrating oil will siphon up into the threads some, and that will help. Since you don't have a torch, you can try a hammer. By Tapping on the head of the bolt, the vibrations will loosen the rust on the threads,allowing the penetrating oil to get between the metals. It may take some time, don't get to zelous with the hammer or you may cause more problems.

 

Geeze you dont want to get me started on those purge valves for the exaust, I have a Honda trx 300 and are thoses bolts a b**** to get off Mine is a copper bolt, and not it is in the chape of an oval because I have stripped it with a wrench, So i put a pair of vice grips on it, and they gripped GOOD! and still i ponuded it with a hammer to get the bolt to turn and.....nothing! Does purging the exaust really help free up carbon? also does it make a noticable difference in power?


Chris