Could you guys check something for me? I was fixing to change my oil when I noticed something. Towards the front of the engine, where the radiator hose goes, under the floor board, there is some kind of "duck valve" (a "duck valve" is that black rubber thing under the air box which you squeeze to let water out of the airbox) with what looks to be oil on it. Could you other 500 owners check your quad to see if it has this. If it does, could you tell me if it has oil on it and what is it? Thanks

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Arctic Cat 500, Not your average Kitty, The New King Of the Jungle

 

Are you talking about the valve down where you remove the bolt to drain the radiator?

 

No.

If you look under the front of the right (side with reverse lever) floorboard, on the engine you will see it.

Could you check your 500 to see if it has this, and if you know what it is tell me please?

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Arctic Cat 500, Not your average Kitty, The New King Of the Jungle

 

I saw it. Its a little tiny thing. Mine had oil on it too. I don't know what it is, but it is located underneath the oil filter location. Way under it, but still fairly close. I don't know what it is there for, but It probably isn't in a bad condition. I expect it has a purpose. I don't think the oil on it means that something is wrong. It is probably supposed to have it on there.

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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*

 

If you're talking about the valve that is located directly above where the front of the right footboard bolts to the frame, it's about as big around as a pencil and around 1/2" long. This is the same problem that I had with my 2000 AC. The susbtance on the valve is not oil, it's antifreeze. I took it to the dealer and he said that this was not normal and that I had a bad water seal. They supposedly fixed it, but it's still leaking. (Not much, just a couple drops a day).
If you take your finger and rub on the flat surface where the front of the right footboard bolts, you can feel where it has dropped on the frame. If this is the same location that you're talking about you might want to check your radiator fluid level. When I asked the dealer what this was for he acted as if he didn't know, but I will make sure the problem is resolved ASAP. I didn't buy a new quad to have problems that I would expect from a used one.

 

I think yor're right Cat500. I'm going to bring it to the shop this week. I have a few other things I want them to checkout also, like: When cold start it, it runs for about a minuite then dies out, but I start it back up and it runs all day long; I have noticed that around where the front halfshafts conect to the differential there seems to alot of dust all around it, like there is a bad seal or something; I have about an 1-1 1/2 inches of play in my handle bars, it also sqeaks alot when I turn the handle bars; I will get them to try to get the drain off the muffler, I broke my wrench trying to get the thing off.

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Arctic Cat 500, Not your average Kitty, The New King Of the Jungle

 

Robert,

They finally found out what was wrong with my cat the second time I brought it in. They still haven't got it back together you. They're still waiting on some type of cover. They said they would show me what it is when I go to pick it up.

When I took it in the first time, the mechanic at the dealer called Arctic Cat. They told him that that duck valve was for sucking in air. They said that there was not supposed to be anything leaking from it, and if there was, the mechanical seal was bad. They replaced that seal but it obviously didn't help due to the crack in the cover (water pump cover I suppose).

If the level of antifreeze isn't going down any I would suspect that you probably don't have a problem. Of course, it's still a good idea to have a dealer check it out anyway. Let me know what they say.

 

Robert and Cat500. Your recent posts about problems with your Arctic Cats is what I've been looking for. Robert, from your reply to me last week, I thought you had no problems and then I see a list of about 5 or 6 things that you are going to get "checked out" at your dealer. Cat500 will have his in the shop twice (or more) to fix what appears to be a common problem (although it seems to be a minor one). This is what I was looking for in terms of reliability. If it is in the shop, I can't use it. I'm not sure 4 years in production is enough time to work out all the bugs and minor problems. After they have been around as long as Honda, maybe it will be perfect.
Forester

 

When I told you that I had no problems, I had yet to read Cat500's post. I asumed that since Andy's 500 had something on his too, that it was normal.

The cold start thing started after a cold front a couple of days ago. I have never use the choke before so I didn't think of useing it then.

The muffler thing happened after the cold start thing, I thot that maybe water in the muffler was making it die out.

I didn't notice the handle bars untill a freind noticed it the 19th.

I noticed the front differential the 19th too, I figured if I'm going to bring it in, I might as well find every single thing that doesn't look right.

I'm sorry if I offended you by telling you there were no problems, even though at the time it was true. If you don't think Arctic Cat is old enough to be reliable then good, more Arctic Cats for the rest of us who want Honda like reliablity, LOTS of power, LOTS of rack and towing capacity, and A great ride.


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Arctic Cat 500, Not your average Kitty, The New King Of the Jungle

 

Hey gang, I found what you are talking about and my is dry as a bone (thankfully!)

Forester, I'm happy to report that I still don't have any problems with mine, but if I do I will be sure to post them. I was in your shoes not too many months ago and agree with you that the best way to find out about the reliablity of the machines is to look for the problems posts. To the Arctic Cat's credit...these are the first posts that I have seen, other than the one recently about paint (one person), that are negative about the machine.

BUT...mine might fall apart tomorrow..only time will tell! I will say that the dealer that I AND Cat500 bought our AC's from is also the local Honda dealer, and they told me on several occasions that they have not had any more problems with the AC's than they have had with the Hondas. They had many more problems with the Honda 400ex's than most folks would like to think!

Anyway, I hope you can gather enough info to help you decide!

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Rob Ervin 99' AC500