zancat

Thanks! I'll have to look for the oil filter next time I'm down at the garage. It says 10w40 on the screw cap, otherwise I'd have never known what to put in it.

Ooooh, I wasn't allowed to take it apart the first time it had problems, and seeing how this time I broke it, I doubt those feelings have changed. I don't have a manual either, which is a bummer. I could probably take it apart, but no one would get it back together again. I'm not a mechanically savvy person. Saving money would be nice, especially since I had this all done 3 months ago. It's all been very unfortunate, being my first atv and all, but it hasn't turned me off from them. I'll just do what I need to do and get it fixed and pray that I make another huge mistake like this again. Thank you for being supportive about this, it helps.

We did a compression test, bad news. Looks like it's going back to the shop. I've learned my lesson now, if it makes noise, stop!

"You can switch to synthetic but it is not good to switch back and forth, mixing of the two is also not recommended even though there are some products out there that do just that." Okay, so in that respect it's like a car. I have a different question altogether now, if the bike checks out and it's fixable, I want to put new front tires on it. I don't have to remove the brakes or anything to do that right? Just remove the bolts and put it on like a car tire. I want to do it myself so that's why I'm asking.

I've been using the 10w40 from walmart, it's probably not the right thing. There's an atv store across from where I work, from now on I guess I'll get my oil from there. Is there an oil filter on my atv? I haven't seen anything like it but that doesn't mean that it's not there. I'm sorry I've been asking so many questions, I'll quit.

DirtDemon said it might be a stuck float or the valve lash. Hopefully it is something fixable, it is a nice ride. I use 10w40, wouldn't a synthetic oil damage the engine since I've never used it before? If not, I'm willing to give a shot if you think it will help.

I'm going to take it in sometime soon, I'll ask them to remove the screws and check the air filter out for me. If this isn't something that's going to be fixable, what kind (brand) of atv do you recommend. I know not all arctic cats are like mine, it's just that mine was abused before I got it. I see a lot Hondas for sale, and that makes me wonder if they have more problems than Yamaha or other brands. Thanks again

My stepdad suggested we do that. When I had my oil leak, I didn't realize it. I was out riding, noticed I was almost out of gas and I turned around to head back. On the way, the 4 wheeler started to chug and slow down. I thought it was because I was running out of gas, here it was I was out of oil too. We replaced part of the hose, and filled it with oil again but it would have days where it wouldn't want to start. Then my stepbrother messed with it and got it running again and it was fine for a couple of weeks, I took it on long rides and everything so I thought all the trouble was over with. Now all of a sudden it won't start. Would it take that long for the cylinder to go bad? I tried to get to the air filter, but guy who replaced it put them on so tight I can't get them off without ruining the screws. I put my hand over the air vent and whenever I try to start it I can feel it sucking air. We checked the gasline and it's getting gas too. I just need a part and then I can do the compression test, but it sounds like I'll have to take it in again. Thank you all for your advice

Thank you, I'll give it a shot and see what happens.

Okay, I have a 99 Arctic cat 250cc 2x4. I bought it knowing it had problems, it burned oil all the time when I drove it. I had it taken in to a professional who fixed it, bored it out whatever needed done to it. That was back in Sept, it was running fine until I noticed it was leaking oil. So, we fixed the line that was cut and it was fine. Just recently it wouldn't start, and when I finally got it going but it sounded aweful, would bog down, and would shut off whenever I slowed down. Now it won't start at all. I've noticed that it also smokes when I first start it up but then will quit once I've run it for a bit. The spark plug gets dirty so fast, I thought the guy had fixed all that. I want to know is this a fixable problem or will it keep coming back and will I just be wasting my money. I really like the bike, the lights work, the reverse it good, it shifts good, the body's nice, and it ran well when it was working. It's big and sturdy, and whenever I hit something or run over a a tree limb it doesn't feel like I'm going to fly over the handle bars. I'm willing to put more money into it, as long as it's going to fix the problem once and for all. If any of you have and ideas or advice I'd appreciate it, thanks

Thanks for sharing this, it's a lot of fun! It took me awhile, but I got to the 25th one, but I can't find him anywhere.