For those who know snowmobiles

travlnusa · #1 02/25/08, 06:19 PM

Bought a 1990 Polaris. Liquid cooled. Oil injected.

The question is, do I need to buy the "factory" branded oil that is quite spendy, or can I use any other oil that cost less?

I am all for saving money, but not at the risk of killing the engine.

What should I be buying/using?

Thanks

**Cabin Fever** · #2 02/26/08, 09:22 AM

I here ya, Snowmobile two-stroke oil is expensive, especialy the manufacterers brands of oil. We have two Polaris sleds and one Arctic Cat. I use Klotz synthetic oil. I'd suggest not using a mineral based snowmobile oil unless you want to smell like you've been riding behind a diesel truck all day. I believe your sled requires oil with a TC-W2 rating. All sled oils today have a TC-W3 rating. You'll be fine with any TC-W3 rated oil

haypoint · #3 02/27/08, 07:41 AM

I always figured name brand oils was just a waste of money. I run no name oil in all my equipment, figure regular oil changes is more important than brand.
However, around here, most people recognize that the manufacturer's recommended oil has the additives designed for that engine and spend the extra on name brand oil.
If nothing else, it'll keep you from having to look at your feet when the mechanic asks, " You using the oil that was recommended?"
If you can afford a snowmobile, you can spend a few bucks on the correct oil.

sisterpine · #4 02/27/08, 11:57 AM

With the age of that sled I would probably just go with castro 2 cycle oil. That is what we use on our older sleds and have had no oil related issues for the past 10 years. sis

hunter63 · #5 02/27/08, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travlnusa

Bought a 1990 Polaris. Liquid cooled. Oil injected.

The question is, do I need to buy the "factory" branded oil that is quite spendy, or can I use any other oil that cost less?

I am all for saving money, but not at the risk of killing the engine.

What should I be buying/using?

Thanks

IMO, the words "saving money" and "snowmobiles" can not be used in the same sentence.
And as was brought up, if you can afford the machine, you shoud be able to afford the nessassary care for it.

Have fun, as this has been the first winter around here that most people could even use them more than a couple of times.

travlnusa · #6 02/27/08, 01:45 PM

My question was not all about trying to save grocery money. I will buy what is best, but what I wont do is pay an extra $X.XX because of a brand name sticker on a bottle when I can buy the same product for less under a different label.

Beef11 · #7 02/27/08, 03:19 PM

It used to be that 76 made Polaris oil. If not they still have good two stroke oil. I've been out of the scene for about 6 years now.

Bearfootfarm · #8 02/27/08, 07:55 PM

Go by the "service ratings" and not the name brand. TCW-3 is that same no matter who makes it, and will NOT void any warranties

Hoop · #9 02/28/08, 10:02 PM

Lets put it this way. Most snowmobiles implode after 6000 miles....unless
1)you spend grillions of dollars in rebuilding fees
2) you're lucky

My brother just told me a story about one of the people he cartakes for. High powered lawyer from Chicago with a 3/4 million vacation home that sits vacant 350+ days each year. They have 2 old sleds (late 80's) that are very low mileage sleds. He was told to take them in for service. NOTHING was wrong with them. The bill for the 2 sleds....which each received new batteries, tune-up, new belt......was an eye popping $1400.
What was funny was that these sleds, on their BEST day, might sell for $600 each.
You don't even want to know how high costs are for repairs on a sled with something actually needing repairs.

With repair costs in the stratosphere, I'd be erring on the side of caution. Use the best lubricants money can buy.

Quint · #10 02/28/08, 11:51 PM

I looked at an old Polaris and Yamaha a couple of weeks ago and considered buying one of them. The trouble is that our snow is just too unpredictable for it to be worth them taking up the garage space. This year for instance we've only had maybe a week that I could have ridden them, if that. Some years might be better and some might be worse but it just seems to be too much money tied up in something sitting around I can rarely use. I love to ride them, but I'm having trouble justifying having one. For me an ATV is much more practical. I use mine every day for chores and just for pleasure riding.

I still have this gnawing desire for a snowmobile that just won't go away.