I was just wondering if the oil level will go down while the engine is running. I know it is pushed up to the overhead cam, but should it drop down to 1/4 on the indicator?

 

That it should. If you watch the window while it's running you will see the oil moving.
Jim

 

HEY DUDE , Both my 2001@ 2002 did that and dose that its cool CHUNKY

 

Well, I changed my oil tonight. Put the 5w30 Arctic Cat oil in. I was going to start with synthetic, but I think I'll wait another 3 months before I start this. First time I've changed the oil on this machine since I bought it in December, but I do have a few questions.

1. How tight should the AC oil filter go on? I gave it a few hard cranks, but I don't know at what PSI the oil comes up there at. Also, there is a rubber boot that should expand as you're tightening up the filter I think.

2. When you remove the old oil filter, do you guys leave the drain plug out at this point? My nice clean AC oil got all dirty because I put the drain plug back in before I removed the old oil filter and some of it dropped back into the case(crap). Oh well, I won't keep this oil in there too long anyway....I want to start synthetic soon [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I tighten my filter 1/4 turn past snug,if you tweek it on you'll never get it off. never had a leek. Also leave the drain plug out while I take the filter off. Don't forget to put oil on the gasket (rubber seal)when you install the new filter. I use 10-40 all year in mine,even when it gets below zero.
Jim

 

Aren't you supposed to use a lighter weight oil in the winter?

 

The manual says to use 10W40 from -4 f on up and 5W30 from-22f on up to 86f. I use 10W40 all year because it doesn't get that cold around here and if it did I wouldn't be riding.
AC also recomends you clean the oil strainer screen after break in or 200 miles. This is simple just drain oil and pull the plate that the drain plus screws into off, and clean the screen, it will have 2 screws to take out to remove it. When you put it back on they recomend red Locktite on these two screws. It uses an o-ring to seal it up, so if you are careful you don't need to replace it. When you put it back on tighten it in a cross patern and not to tight. You also must remove your skid plate.

 

oops, I mean a heavier weight in the winter. Here in MN, it can get pretty cold, but this year we have had record temps in the 40's. So I thought I'd put the 5w30 in. I won't have it in ther long, as I screwed up and put the drain plug back in before removing the old oil filter. Crap! now I have crappy oil mixed in with my new oil....

Oh well....It will be changed soon

 

You will be fine running 5W30 as long as you don't run it when it gets in the 90 degree range. Thereis a little square headed bolt below your oil filter that is used to drain the filter, but it makes a mess too.

 

Thanks Mudcat, for the information. I guess I should go buy a manual for it. Do you know where the best deal on those are? Are the Chilton's repair manuals any good?