Snowmobiles are a blast to drive and make what would otherwise be a cold, snowy, dreary winter into your own personal playground. Eventually, though, the snow will cease to fall, and you’ll need to store your snowmobile and keep it ready for next winter.
As the snow slows, make sure your machine is prepped for next winter so it’s ready to get going the next time you get some powder. Here are some snowmobile summer storage tips now so you can have fun later.
Clean Your Sled
If you’ve had any fun at all this winter, your snowmobile is probably wearing its share of salt, mud, and grime. Get a bucket of soapy water and a sponge and clean everywhere you can, including under the hood and the suspension. This will prevent rust and cosmetic damage.
Maintain the Fuel System
For fuel-injected snowmobiles, ensure the fuel system doesn’t clog up during the summer (much like what happens with lawn mowers during the off-season). To do so, fill up the gas tank and add stabilizer to it. A full gas tank prevents condensation from forming within fuel lines, and the stabilizer prevents the solvents in fuel from breaking down and corroding the carburetor.
However, if your snowmobile is a carburetor model, you’ll simply need to drain the fuel tank. Make sure to follow the law regarding safe disposal of gasoline.
Fog the Engine
Fogging the engine is a process in which the inside of your engine is coated with oil, which will protect it throughout the summer. First, remove your air box. Then start the engine and spray fogging oil into the throttle body. Make sure you do this step either outside or in a well-ventilated area, as it produces a thick white smoke (which is where the term “fog the engine” comes from).
Other Snowmobile Maintenance Tips
Lubricate the grease joints on your snowmobile’s suspension, as it will prevent rust and corrosion from occurring. Consider investing in a snowmobile lift or dolly (around $50) and use it to get your sled off the ground, which will prevent condensation—and rust—from sneaking into your machine.
Summer Snowmobile Storage at StorageMart
Garages are great places to store your snowmobile, but they aren’t the only places to do so. If you’re running out of garage space or need to keep your snowmobile closer to where you use it, a storage unit is an ideal option.
At StorageMart, we don’t just offer snowmobile summer storage tips. We offer clean, well-lit self storage units in a variety of sizes for your snowmobile, all of which can be rented on a month-to-month basis. Need more info? Check out our storage unit guide, or rent a unit online today!
Updated February 7, 2020