I have a 2010 Arctic cat 300. I have about 250 miles on it and I have noticed that my air filter is damp and smells like gasoline. I was wandering if this is just due to the placement of the air filter or if their is something wrong. Thanks for the help.

 

Are you smelling gas or the treatment they put on the filter? All the filters are treated with some form of oil base or other. If it is running fine that is most likely what it is. It's under waranty so ride it like you stole it!

 

I have a '09 250 (pretty much the same machine) The air filter(s) are a "oil-soak" application. Basically they are coated with a sticky oil.

I cleaned/re-oiled mine right when I brought it home from the dealer and again after the 200mile break-in.
I found that the filter(s) were OVERSATURATED from the factory (most likely for shipping) and the oil was actually pooling in the air filter housing.

I'd clean and re-apply/soak the filters then press out any excess leaving it slightly "damp" w/oil.

Not sure how familiar you are but this is my method:

1. remove filters
2. soak in solvent of choice in pan (I use 2 old bake pans)
3. carefully squeeze out solvent/dirty oil multiple times.
4. move to clean pan w/new solvent - rinse/wring out
5. press excess solvent out w/towel(s)
6. let air dry (1hr) preferably outside or blow dry w/air compressor
7. now WASH filters in warm/hot water w/DAWN dishsoap
8. rinse clean - press excess out w/towel - air dry AGAIN.
9. now soak filter(s) in big ZIP-LOC freezer bag w/filter oil - squeeze/scrunch alot
10. lightly wring-out filter(s) then lightly press between 2 towels to remove any additional excess

I do this with all of my AC machines. I have an extra filter for the 550 & 650 ready to go.

 

Thanks for the info. That is a great how to write up and I will give it a try. Whats your thoughts on your 09 250? So far I am very happy with mine.

 

NP.

Overall I'm impressed with the 250. My youngest boy (14) rides it, as it's tooo small for me. We've had very little issue(s) with it other than a faulty fuel sender that was replaced under warranty. The tranny was a little problamatic when it comes to shifting gears. But a little adjustment...remembering ro rock the machine backwards slightly & a refill w/AMSOIL has smoothed everything out.

My son has NP keeping up with "the old man" on my 650TRV.

My wife has riden it more than me, and she luvs how it "scoots" around compared to her own full size 550.

We bought it as a starter quad for him to build up experience and eventually move up to a bigger 4x4 in the 366/450 range in a few yrs.