summerizing your apex

[y_guy]

what are you guys going to do to summerize your Apex? I have never had a 4 stroke and planned to put sea foam in the gas, empty the tank down to about a gallon, tend the battery and start it every so often until it warms up. Any help with what i "should" do instead of this plan?

 

[Red2003]

Seafoam is a good idea as a stabilizer. If you plan on starting it every once in awhile, I'd keep the tank full, not near empty. The less room for air in there the better. Several people, including myself, think its a good idea to change the oil in the Spring and in the Fall. Beyond changing the oil, Summer storage is same as a two stroke. Some fog the engine if not starting it before Winter, but that doesn't apply to your situation. I also suggest a good wash/wax and grease job, and armorall on all rubber / plastic parts. Its a good idea to go through the suspensions over the Summer and replace worn bushings / bearings / hyfax like you should do on all sleds. Yamahas seem to wear suspension components quite a bit, probably due to the increased weight.

 

[dirkdiggler]

Does anyone simply run there Sled once a month or every three weeks until the exchangers get nice and hot? I'm guessing this would be just as good an option.

 

[impalapower]

Several people, including myself, think its a good idea to change the oil in the Spring and in the Fall.

What for? If you think its because of contaminants, don't start your sled at all and you won't have that problem.

 

[novarossi]

I have been told that starting your sled every so often can do more harm than not doing anything with it. The gases from combustion are acidic and combined with condensation from the burnt fuel and hot cold cycle can cause rust and corrosion inside the engine. This does make sense to me but I dont know if its a fact or not. I think it would be best to fog it like a 2 stroke, that way its protected. There are many expensive parts in these engines that you dont want to risk replacing because of neglecting to do a 30 minute summer prep job.

 

[Riceburner]

Dirk,

Yes. Run until hot.
10 minutes minimum, every month to 2 months.
Stabil or Sea foam in gas.
I put premium gas in , near full tank, end of season as gas will lose octane over time so I start high.
Have done his for 32 years straight, Have never had a motor problem or have had to clean carbs.

Dave

 

[Red2003]

Several people, including myself, think its a good idea to change the oil in the Spring and in the Fall.

What for? If you think its because of contaminants, don't start your sled at all and you won't have that problem.

Its cheap insurance and keeps fresh oil in the engine all the time. Those contaminants are in there whether you start it or not.

 

[tcona-AGT]

Why not store it according to the manual??

 

[impalapower]

Its cheap insurance and keeps fresh oil in the engine all the time. Those contaminants are in there whether you start it or not.

If you don't start it, and only change the oil in the spring it will be fine. I guess everyone has their theories like the guy who puts high octane in a stock apex because it runs better.

 

[xcsp]

Fogging the engine for storage

I read in the manual that they do not recommend starting the engine during prolonged storage, and recommend fogging the engine.

It also states about replacing the spark plugs at the end of the storage period-since the engine was fogged.

My question is, is it necessary to change the plugs?

 

[y_guy]

well, that's just it. You shouldn't have to change plugs in the apex for many many miles. but common practice once you FOG a motor i believe you should change plugs. I kind of got away from fogging and usually just start the sled and let it get hot. But that was always with 2 strokes. Storage is only at max about 6 months.

 

[xcsp]

Storage

I store my sled away from home and am not able to go and fire it up during the summer so fogging is really my only option personally.

 

[ecopter]

I just got done by putting SeaFoam in the gas tank and sprying the aerosal SeaFoam in the throttle bodies until the engine stalled. I also pulled all the plugs and sprayed SeaFoam into the plug holes; turning the clutch over a few times to coat the crank. Along with the greasing, cleaning, and fixing, and suspending the whole sled on the lift, that's about it.

jf

 

[Len Todd]

You guys giving up on Winter already? We still got a couple good storms left. It always snows on my wife's birthday in April.

 

[stinx]

Sad day indeed today was.I put my Attak away for the year. Cleaned it,greased it,changed the oil/filter and chain case oil. Fogged the motor and put oil in the cylinders. I hope I never need to change a plug on this sled,they are a bitch to get at and take out. The stock plug wrench is useless. I found it worked best if you used a 9/16 socket to grip the end of the stockplug wrench with a Ratchet and a swivel extension. awsome sled, but ashitty season only got 1500 miles in. I hope next season is better.