10. Check your sled briefly before every ride
Here is a list of small, simple things to check before each ride. It can be done at the time you lift the hood to fill the oil, preferably before you leave the house just in case you find a problem. Most of these problems will have a negative effect on clutch performance.
Belt deflection: Belt deflection is the amount of free play in the belt between the two clutches and it changes as the belt wears. It should be checked and adjusted (if necessary) every ride. Because of small variations from belt to belt, deflection should also be checked when a new belt is installed. Belt deflection specifications can be obtained from your dealer or service manual.
Belt condition: Make sure the belt does not show any de-lamination, fraying or wear spots. If it does, it should be replaced with a new belt and not another used one. Always keep two good belts on the sled. The spare should always be a new belt. It doesn't do any good to have a spare belt if it is used and may not get you back to the truck or may hinder the performance of the sled for the remainder of the ride.
Check the chaincase oil: this is a quick and easy thing that needs to be made into a habit. Check and adjust the chain tension. Make sure the oil is clean, and if it is dirty or milky, it should be changed. Make sure there are no metal flakes in the oil. If there are, pull the chaincase cover and inspect for worn gears, chain tensioner, drive chain or bearings.
Inspect the overall chassis and engine compartment: I have caught several problems before rides by doing this. This includes things like broken motor mounts, a track that is out of adjustment, loose bolts in the steering, bad bearings and so forth: problems that no one wants to deal with while riding.
As you can see, having a service manual for your specific snowmobile greatly increases the owner's ability to perform most of these tasks as well as provides a wealth of answers to questions that may arise during the ownership of a machine.
The dealer is a great source for information or services as well and should also be consulted for help with specifications or service needs. Implementing the practices listed above will maximize your machine's performance and reliability and most of all, it will help you to get the most enjoyment out of your snowmobile.
(Pancheri is a Starting Line Products Tech. For more information, contact SLP 800-621-2893 or www.slp.cc.)