Greetings,

The Good ! :
I just picked up a 2004 Arctic Cat 400 4x4 Manual Shift 4 Wheeler for $400, with ITP aluminum wheels & 26" Swamp Which tires and a Winch!
I think it is a 4x4 FIS model?

The Bad:
One of the rear axels is snappped smoth in half. (see pictures)
The battery is dead and wont take a charge.
And after the engine heats up it blows bluish white smoke, just enough to linger in the air.

The only othe Arctic Cat I have owned was an old 580 EXT Snowmobile before I moved to the south from Minneapolis. I have owned and worked on many Honda Suzuki and Yamaha ATV's and Dirtbikes, so I think I can handle these problems.

I was actually able to jump start it and drive it down the driveway and up the ramps into my truck without any strange sounds, vibrations or problems.

My question is, does this sound like piston rings, valve seals, or something else?
Second, does anyone have a pdf copy of a service manual or a link to where I can download one? Mainley looking for the rear axel shafts and top end sections.

I am willing to trade my 1998-2004 Honda Foreman 450 s/es service manual to anyone who needs one. I have uploaded the PDF file to my website.

http://www.atvpartsdirect.com/354867...air_Manual.pdf
I had to take money out of savings to purchase the 4 wheeler and any parts I may need. It may not sound like alot of cash, but rite now it is.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks,
Todd
Shreveport, LA

 

Sounds like its oil rings are going if its blowing blue smoke. Sounds like a top end rebuild to me. If the battery is dead and won't take charge, you either need just a new battery or a new altenator. The snapped axle is nothing its an easy fix, if it was my quad it would be just an excuse to upgrade to better axles :P

 

A top end rebuild and new axle, you still did good for $400. If you what to deal with a Suzuki dealer that ATV has the same motor used in a 400 Eigher and KQ.

http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/en...le2=8577&go=Go

 

For the axle check out the web site for The CV Man. He has half axles, CV, and CV boots and is very easy to work with. The parts I have ordered from him have been shipped fast, had great prices (especially compared to OEM). Looks to me from your pics you need the inner CV boot and inner half axle. Easy to replace and TheCVman has instructions as well.

The battery could be 2 things. Easiest to fix is a bad battery. The second is a bad magneto. The magnets can fail on the on certain older models.

As for the smoke, if it were mine I would get the axle and battery fixed and ride the thing and see how much oil its burning. The engine holds about 3.5 quarts of oil. If you ride and notice that you are burning a quart of oil per tank of fuel. Then I might consider a rebuild. Otherwise get out and ride and just keep an eye on the oil level.

Hope this helps.

Swampy

 

Thank You, I ordered the whole shaft from one of his Ebay Auctions today and got free shipping!!

I pulled the battery and charged it overnight, Click, Click, Click. Purchased a new YB14A-A2 today, started rite up.

I will ride it and see, but just incase, I won an Ebay auction for a 2nd over A/C piston and ring set for $39.99 from Action Suzuki in Mesquite, TX

Thanks for the input...

 

Good deal just get the repairs done and u will have a nice machine

 

Repairs completed! Great Deal, Great Machine. Very Happy!

 

Great news! Now you can ride it for a spell and see if it is burning much oil. I had a suspicion that my AC 400 was burning some oil as it would need about 1/2-3/4 of a quart of oil after about 500-800 miles. But upon closer inspection I discovered that my front drive shaft seal was seeping and I had somehow got a small hole punctures in my oil filter top. After replacing both I no longer have the issue. I still check the oil level before I ride it just to be safe though.

Swampy

 

Sounds like its oil rings are going if its blowing blue smoke. Sounds like a top end rebuild to me. If the battery is dead and won't take charge, you either need just a new battery or a new alternator. The snapped axle is nothing its an easy fix, if it was my quad it would be just an excuse to upgrade to better axles.
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All said - I think you got a deal. You could prolly get $400 out of just the rims & tires....