hey guys, got a quick question about my 230.
apparently when a clutch goes out it does so quickly. either way I had a clutch go out on a 85 230s within about a dozen trips to the track/trails. I'm not hard on clutches so I figured that most likely it was the fact that I'm pretty sure it has the original clutch still on the machine. So I went to the local atv shop to order a new clutch kit (omg 150.00 plus).
The parts guy asked me what kind of oil I was running in the quad and I explained that I used the oil weight that the service manual recommends, so he asked what brand, I told him that I used castrol gtx, and he explained that was my problem, he said that if I use regular motor oil in my quad which uses a wet clutch, that it would destroy the clutch quickly.
he said that the oil that I am supposed to use is specially formulated so that it doesn't desroy my clutch. I have a few friends that agree with the parts guy whole heartedly, but I have other friends who claim that they have run regular car oil in their quads for years and that the local atv shop is b.s.ing me. does anyone actually know which answer is correct and why?

thanks,
Randy.

 

Not to open a can of worms about what oil to use, and whats the best and why, I'll just pass along what I do. I run Rotella diesel oil in all my air-cooled engines. Regular motor oil is not what it used to be, they have taken out a lot of the additives that were used to protect parts from wear, especially flat tappet cams (zinc being the biggest). Diesel oils are exempted from this. Rotella 15w-40 is all I will run in any of my Vw's which includes my 200hp street engine.

 

go to wal mart and get the super cheap *** oil that says "SF grade for older cars (pre 88)" that doesnt have the friction modifiers that the newer oils have. other than that, your only other option is super expensive amsoil or some other high-dollar powersports brand.

but yes, the parts guy is right. dont run modern day oil on a wet clutch.

 

rotella may be ok since diesel oils follow different guidelines (zinc content being the prime example). but im still not 100% sure about the friction modifiers...

 

I have to agree with Lt230sman on the oil. i had clutch issues and when i switched to the SF grade Wally world oil it the clutch issue was resolved. I however have heard good things about Rotella but its more of a personal preference on which oil you use. As long as you are using the recommended oil and not synthetic problems should be a minimum. I may have been only riding an lt230 for a year but i have helped build several 230 engines over the last 5 years. think i am up to my 122nd build and finally its my engine that i am building. Whoo hoo.

 

Hey Atvman,
I havent been on for a while. Dang snow storm took out my internet. And the 'arm pump' subject sounds like it sucks. And just to let you know. my mind has finally ,for the last time i hope, been made up on a paint and plastic scheme. LOL. I looked through the Vault gallery and figured out a scheme that is not only unique but one of a kind. Black plastic and neon green frame. kinda like Grave Digger. JUst to name a few things getting done to the 230 is new tires and wheels, paint,250s cam, plastics, chain and sprockets, cobra alumnium exhaust, and maybe braided brake lines. I dropped a grand on my beloved 230 in under 24 hours. By the time i am done my son will have a nice 230 to ride when he is old enough. I got a buddy of mine working on the frame for a cool price. Free!! He's bored and has no project to work on. I will begin taking pics of the process tonight or next weekend. Still kinda snowed in and waiting on parts. my car sucks in the snow and my truck is well sorta buried thanks to the snow plow driver.

 

hey man you should definitely post pics as you go along!

 

I sure will get those pics soon lt230sman. gotta figure out how to my 230 out. stupid snow has got me boxed in pretty good and my father-in-laws garage is full at the moment. he had a last inute project to do on his 4x4. I am still waiting on my tires, wheels, and my new PRM front bumper. I ended up having to get a 10x6 front rim though because the 10x5 had the wrong offset on Rocky Mountain website. the 10x6 has a +2+4 offset and the 10x5 has a +3+2 offset so if i ran that wheel i would have to flip it over backwards with the valve stem on the inside. With the 10x6 i gain an inch on each side with compromising safety. i have envisioned my 230 project for months now and within days it will all come together. i feel like i'm 6 years old again waiting for Christmas morning. cant sleep and the look on my friends faces will be priceless. For once in my life i will have 1 upped both of them. Both of my friends here in the Buckeye state have had great looking quads, my turn hahaha. i will keep you posted on the project. PM your email and i will send you pics as well as Atvman for the Vault. I am still working on the write up for it. thanks again for everyones help.

 

i know the feeling dude, when i did the full rebuild on my 250r i could hardly sleep the night before the first run!

 

Will these fit a 230? I'd kind of like to put the front fenders back on my 230, since mine were hacked off..... 250R front fenders

FYI for ayone looking for anything:

230 quadrunner parts