i just got a 2005 300 4x4 artic cat. the second time i rode it i came back in and noticed that it was smoking pretty bad. Changed the oill checked a couple of things to make sure it was an oil burning symtoom. i let it idle and noriced all the black oil spots being left on the cement from ideling a few min. Oil Ring? can some one give me some suggestions or is something plugged from the mud riding? any ideas would help. thanks in advance

 

Problem: Exhaust smoke dirty or heavy
Condition Remedy
1. Oil (in the engine) overfilled - contaminated 1. Drain excess oil - replace oil
2. Piston rings - cylinder worn 2. Replace - service rings - cylinder
3. Valve guides worn 3. Replace guides
4. Cylinder wall scored - scuffed 4. Replace - service cylinder
5. Valve stems worn 5. Replace valves
6. Stem seals defective 6. Replace seals

 

i to had a 300 at one time. it was a 1999 model and it strongly stated in the manual, "WARNING DO NOT OIL AIR FILTER". so i didnt. at 500 miles it started smoking and yes it was the rings. my friend also had a 300 and replaced the rings 3 times within 2000 miles because it said NOT to oil the filter. that being said, I would STRONGLY RECOMEND OILING THE FILTER. dirt gets buy the filter to easily and wears the rings out. i now have a 2002 500 and i do oil the filter and with 3400 miles on it, i have had zero issues with the motor.

 

What color is the smoke ? And when's the last time the valves adjusted ; have you cleaned the air filter and has the weather been dry and dusty These are just afew thing's that come mind ! ...................................williebee

 

smoke is a whitish blue. valves never been adjusted, ive only had it a month and rode it twice. i bought it rode it twice mudding an hosed it off. the second time i noticed that it was smoking. i guess i have to take off the top. compression check would tell me?

 

I have seen a partially plugged filter cause smoke problems. The engine cannot suck enough air through the filter so it takes it out of the crankcase vent and it sucks oil with it.

Lots of oil residue shows up in the bottom of the air box when this happened.

The other thing I would do is check and see exactly "HOW" much oil is being burnt? If you are talking about burning a pint every two or three tanks of gas? OR a quart per tank? Given the fact that the oil is about $6 a quart and a ring job can easily be $300. My thinking would be "for $300 I can buy a whole bunch of oil".

Check your plug color, black with soot deposits means its burning oil. Tan is the ideal color.

SJ

 

Great, thanks for the info i plan on checking it out very intently this weekend, will post what i found!