2003 Suzuki Eiger has no spark and the coil ohms good. Please help as I do not want to get ripped off.
-Keith

No spark is a nest of items that can be both simple and hard to fix. Look around the machine’s wiring and be sure there are no cuts or chaffing on the wiring harness. If you have a kill switch or even if the factory has an engine kill button on the bars check that also. You may have to take the factory bar-mounted switch cluster apart and look for water, rust or dirt that could be shorting the system out. When you eliminate those items then it is possibly time to look for a dealer to check the stator and more complicated electronics on the quad.

What type of gear oil do I use for a 2003 arctic cat 500 differential?

The typical gear oil for differentials is 80/90W. The brand you choose is up to you but I would recommend getting a factory service manual and checking to see if there are any special requirements for your machine as well as the correct amount to be installed.

How do you remove the clutch on a Coolster 260cc mountaintopz ATV?
Shawn, Portland, Oregon

I’m not exactly sure what type of ATV you have here. The Coolster sounds like a non-supported off brand that has a get-rich-quick scheme hooked in the tail pipe for the dealer. He sells it to unsuspecting buyers and then disappears without the worry of repair or warranty in a month when the thing falls apart. Is the person or dealer that sold you the quad not able to help at all? I hate to see people go without the fun and adventure of ATVing because of a budget, but when it comes to quads nowadays this seems to be everyone’s idea of riding cheap. I have no idea how the clutch of this machine comes apart but I’m sure if you take enough bolts out something’s bound to fall off it.

I have a 1997 Polaris scrambler 400L, the drive clutch is worn out and needs to be fixed but the shop says it is not rebuildable. so why cant i order a clutch kit and install it?
-Troy

I would say you probably could order a drive clutch and replace the entire unit. Does the dealer not want to do this for you?  Is something else messed up that makes it cost prohibitive. The part number for the entire Drive clutch assembly is #1321632 and retails for around $350 and it’s available anywhere in the US. According to my source you can also buy every individual part and rebuild it. Not sure why the dealer refused that option to you.

I was wondering if i could race my Polaris 08 600rr... What is different from other Polaris 600s that race?
-Chris Host

Well Chris, I would say you can race what you got in most any local series hare scramble or even on the national level. If you’re looking to be competitive though, that’s going to require a little investigating to find tips and tricks to make the 600 race good for you. The suspension is modified on these beasts in some classes and the engines get a little help as well. If the class is stock or production only then you may be limited to the mods you can make. Find the local series in your area and visit those races to get a bit more familiar with the pros and cons of each class. Good luck, my friend.

RE: 2011 Polaris ATV and Ranger Preview
How much power increase on the 2011 Ranger 800 xp, and also, are there any color changes, xp or xp le? Power steering? Thanks.
-Jamie
The Ranger 800XP goes to an impressive 50HP in 2011 and the SXS workhorse is offered in several formats for the discriminating consumer. The EPS (electronic power steering) is offered as an optional unit with a slight price increase. The Limited Edition or LE models come in a couple of different colors such as Browning Camo, Crimson Red, Northwoods green and a beautiful Sandstone metallic. The Polaris Ranger is an awesome machine and the line up is growing rapidly.

RE: ATV Basic Carburetor Cleanup
Excellent article!
What chemical/sealant may be used to seal a white carburetor float which leaks and fills up with gasoline. It has two pieces and the seam between the top and bottom sections is where the leak is located. I have tried loctite superglue, Permatex two part epoxy, and nail polish. None of these work.
Thank you.
CF Douglas

Thanks for the kind words. Mr. Douglas. If I remember correctly the float itself for this Carburetor is around 20 dollars. Why not just replace it for a brand spankin new one that doesn’t leak, my friend? I wouldn’t waste time trying to fix the old one and matter of fact I might even smash it with a hammer when I got my new float installed, just for fun!

Im getting a atv and am trying to decide between a yamaha blaster or a honda 450r. Which is better
Branden

Wow, big difference in those two quads Branden. I have to wonder if you have ever really had any seat time on an ATV before. It scares me to give advice like this to a potential novice. For the absolute beginner, whose choices were only these two machines, I would go with the Blaster as it is a little smaller displacement. The two-stroke will be a lesson for you and then move into the world of powerful four stroke thumpers later down the road. Don’t push the learning curve off the cliff if ya get what I’m saying. Have fun and buy a very good helmet, some goggles, gloves and always be safe and courteous.

I have an 86 Honda Fourtrax 4x4 350 there is power from the battery (11.97volts) but there is no power to anything else, lights, ignition, nothing. It wont start and that’s how my dad gets around during hunting season we love to ride an wish i could fix the problem please help.
R Moore

Even if you get 12, or in your case 11.94 volts, with a meter on the battery it doesn’t mean that the battery has and stored power left. I would check for fuse trouble near the rear of the frame. There is a fuse case cover over a couple of fuses there. There is a 15A fuse as well as a 20A fuse. This could very well be the problem with everything, but if this checks out look a little harder at the battery. These type batteries typically last several years but only if the ATV is ridden often. If the quad sits from hunting season to hunting season then it is likely to need a new battery. Good Luck and let us know what you find.

I love my 2008 razr, but I have had to replace the drive belt 4 times this summer. I do drive long distances in the wilderness on 2 tracks, and I can't afford to be stranded. I would appreciate your advice.
Thank you,
Steve Seamon

There are a few items missing here that would really help me determine what the trouble is with your RZR. I have ridden years on a CVT with no trouble but when crawling over tough obstacles and putting my quad through areas that strain the belt driven tranny I see more wear than usual. I would almost say that you need to check the alignment of the sheaves on that machine but I believe the motor and transmission are bolted together in two places. It is still possible that the alignment is off though. If you get into a lot of heavy mud or rocks on the tracks this to may wear on the belt. I would keep a spare belt along with a few tools to change the belt with on the machine until you find the demon.

My Arctic cat, when in high or low gear, wont accelerate. Just wondering what it could be?
Joshua

Well, it’s hard to say, my friend. I have no idea what model or size of Arctic Cat you have as well as what else it may be doing along with just not going forward. There could be some type of restriction in the airflow or exhaust. Check those two first. Does the machines engine rev up when you give it throttle? Is it going forward at all? Is the air filter clogged? Did you eat breakfast? I just need to know more, my friend …

I have to wonder if people think I may somehow be clairvoyant. Please feel free to send me more and more questions and I will continue to answer them without hesitation (respond below or send it to editor@off-road.com). I just need a few items to make the job easier for me. I’ll make a list below. Keep’em comin people!
1.Name/Screen Name
2.Machine- Make, Model, Year, special add on’s or features?
3.Tell the Problem in detail as well as what it was doing right before or up to the trouble you are having with it.
4.How you have attempted to fix or what you may have already done to try and remedy the trouble.
5.Credit card number…. Just Kidding on that one!
6. Respond to the comments on the column or drop an e-mail to editor@off-road.com with ATTN: ATV Answerman.

RS