I blew a hole in one of my pistons on my old 93 mountain cat last friday. I picked up a 97 xlt 600 today. it has 1300 miles on it, electric start. It has the 133" track. It is in really nice shape, engine is really clean. Im going to clean out the carbs tomorow on it, it runs fine now, but he hasnt got to it this year yet so i figured i should do it. It has the automatic rejetting carbs, how well do those work?? I am going to school in laramie wyoming tuesday, and i know im already going to have to get the clutch weights changed. What do other people think of these sleds?

I just bought the same machine 2 weeks ago 97 XLT LTD Edition, Ive only had one run so far ~40miles, (plus boming around the back 20 acres) so far Im thrilled with it, especial when she's pined love the sound of three cylinders winding up (my first tripple :D ). seems to ride great on or off trail Xtr-12 is great! A little heavier than im used to, but 3 cylinders, elec start and reverse are well worth the weight gain!

also from my research looks like 97 and up is the year to get, they solved the crank oiling issues and such, the only thing ive read thats negative is to stay away from tripple pipes as these can be hard on the engine.

hoping to rack at least a couple thousand miles this year!

Congrats on the new purchase! SWRules

i have rode that sled around for 8 years 10000 miles never a problem good trail slead mine had the extra 12, top speed not so great, fired it up last weekend to get it ready for the wife,her first year sledding,i upgraded to a 2005xcsp man does that thing hall ###

I have some oil left over from my arctic cat. can i just use that in my polaris? all 2 stroke oil should be the same right?

why is this thing so difficult to start? Is there a trick to start these? it takes me forever to start this thing!

pretty much garrantee the needle and seats are leaking,they all do eventually,the upgrade is viton tiped needles, but till you get some,try shutting off the fuel at the end of a ride,let it run for 2-3 minutes,THEN shut down the engine,when starting ,just turn on the fuel,
if this cures the problem,then you know you need needles,

Ok thanks i will try that. needles as in carburator? sorry for the questions, kinda new to this.

I just got it started finally, after pulling on it for about 15 damn minuetes. I shut the gas off and ran it for a couple of minuetes. i will try to start it in a few hours and turn the gas back on. this is very frusturating after only putting 4 miles on the thing. :cussing:

I have a 98 XLT and love it. Best sled I've had. Rock solid performance and great handler once you figure out how to set it up.

Took a bit to get the suspension dialed in but now she really carves and rips over the trail junk flawless.

I have my set up if anyone is interested. I'm 210 lbs.

I'd also suggest looking at the needle and seats. The factory ones all leaked and did exactly what you said. Mine starts one to two pulls always cold and a slight tug hot.

The factory needles have brass tips, the replacements are viton and you can tell by the black tip.

Something stupid but it caught me off guard when I bought mine. I had always had primer sleds before. I got it in 2002 and at the fellas house it started right up. I brought it home and would it start no way. I thought I had everything like he had it. It turned out to be I had not put the choke full on. It was only half choke doh. Once I figured that out she has started perfect ever since.

You'll enjoy the XLT, a great sled.

I have a 98 XLT and love it. Best sled I've had. Rock solid performance and great handler once you figure out how to set it up.

Took a bit to get the suspension dialed in but now she really carves and rips over the trail junk flawless.

I have my set up if anyone is interested. I'm 210 lbs.

I'd also suggest looking at the needle and seats. The factory ones all leaked and did exactly what you said. Mine starts one to two pulls always cold and a slight tug hot.

The factory needles have brass tips, the replacements are viton and you can tell by the black tip.

Something stupid but it caught me off guard when I bought mine. I had always had primer sleds before. I got it in 2002 and at the fellas house it started right up. I brought it home and would it start no way. I thought I had everything like he had it. It turned out to be I had not put the choke full on. It was only half choke doh. Once I figured that out she has started perfect ever since.

You'll enjoy the XLT, a great sled.
[/b]same thing happened to me.i pulled and pulled till my arms fell off.i didnt know the choke went 2 clicks.

ok thanks for the input everybody. so the needles are in the carbs??

ok thanks for the input everybody. so the needles are in the carbs??
[/b]

yes, the needle and seat come as an assembly usually with the two fiber washers too. dont go to a dealer, you'll end up paying $90. aftermarket ones are just as good and will cost you about a quarter of that. you will have to remove and disassemble the carbs.

Chris

ok thanks

i did the fuel thing and it started right up for me today. that must be it then.