Arctic Cat 500 Sno Pro, Operator'S/Performance Manual

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When filling the cooling system, use a coolant/water
mixture which will satisfy the coldest anticipated
weather conditions of your area in accordance with the
coolant manufacturer’s recommendations. While the
cooling system is being filled, air pockets may
develop; therefore, fill the bottle and run the engine for
five to ten minutes after the initial fill (until the ther-
mostat opens); then add more coolant if necessary. Fill
the coolant tank and take the snowmobile for a test
ride. Let the engine cool down; then recheck the cool-
ant level and add if necessary.

NOTE: Use a good quality, glycol-based, automo-
tive-type antifreeze.
DRIVE BELT
For maximum drive belt life, allow the belt to break in
before subjecting it to hard use such as wide-open-
throttle operation or hill climbing.
If this procedure isn’t followed, a new drive belt can
be destroyed in less than 50 miles.
To increase the life of a drive belt, the belt must be
warmed up before subjecting it to any type of use. In
cold temperature (0° or below), the engine should be
allowed to idle for a period of 8 to 10 minutes allowing
heat from the engine compartment to soften the drive
belt. Not only will this procedure increase belt life but
will also help prevent engine damage from cold sei-
zure.
Each operator should be instructed to drive the snow-
mobile for several minutes at a low throttle setting to
warm the belt up before using wide-open-throttle.
DRIVE CLUTCH AND DRIVEN
PULLEY
The drive clutch and driven pulley do not require
lubrication; therefore, no special maintenance is
required by the snowmobile owner. However, the drive
clutch and driven pulley should be disassembled,
cleaned, and inspected before each race.
When operating the snowmobile at high altitudes, it
may be necessary to change certain component parts
of the drive clutch. If the operator does not feel quali-
fied to change clutch components, see an authorized
Arctic Cat Snowmobile dealer for this service.
DRIVE CLUTCH/DRIVEN PULLEY
ALIGNMENT
The parallelism and the offset between the drive clutch
and driven pulley are set at the factory. Normally, no
adjustment is necessary as long as neither the drive
clutch nor the driven pulley is removed or disassem-
bled. However, if premature drive belt wear is experi-
enced or if the drive belt turns over, the drive clutch/
driven pulley alignment must be checked. If the opera-
tor does not feel qualified to align the clutch/pulley,
see an authorized Arctic Cat Snowmobile dealer for
this service.
DRIVE CHAIN TENSION

NOTE: The chain tension system is equipped
with a reversible wear pad that can be turned over
when worn on the first side.
The drive chain must be properly tensioned for proper
operation to prevent “ratcheting” and unnecessary
chain/sprocket wear. After the first 5 miles (and before
every race), the chain tensioner should be adjusted.
Arctic Cat recommends that the chain, sprockets, and
chain tensioner be checked for wear and proper align-
ment and adjustment after every race, every 100 miles,
or whenever a drive chain related problem is sus-
pected. If the operator does not feel qualified to service
the drive chain, see an authorized Arctic Cat Snowmo-
bile dealer for this service. To adjust the drive chain
tensioner, use the following procedure:
1. Loosen the jam nut on the chain tensioner adjust-
ment bolt.
2. Tighten the adjustment bolt finger-tight.
0744-070

NOTE: If the adjustment bolt will not turn using
the fingers (because of dirty threads), use a
wrench to loosen the bolt; then using the fingers,
adjust the bolt until it is finger-tight. Once the
adjustment bolt becomes difficult to turn by hand,
the drive chain is properly tensioned.
CAUTION
After operating the snowmobile for the initial 5-10 min-
utes, stop the engine, allow the engine to cool down,
and check the coolant level. Add coolant as neces-
sary.
! WARNING
When following this procedure, the operator must not
leave the snowmobile unattended during the warm-up
period.
CAUTION
Use Clutch Puller (p/n 0744-062). Never substitute a
different puller or drive clutch damage will occur.