So the college man is home for the holiday, wants to use the snowmachine with his friends for a hut trip. Time to pay some sled dues! I can change the oil in our Nissan Versa mileage mobile in about an hour — but sometimes that messy project is an hour that just can’t be found so it goes to the quicklube. Sadly, no quicklube exists for snowmobiles, and an oil change at our Yamaha stealership is, well, not exactly a steal for the person writing the check.
It looks high tech and it it is. Block out a half a day for an oil change.
We think the Nytro looks kind of space-age cool without the cowling. Problem is, that space-age cool means doing an oil change is a three hour project that involves everything from complete removal of body panels, to reaching and turning things that are obviously designed for gnomes, not humans. First, removing all the body panels involves those little plastic rivets that you often see on automobiles. During removal you always break at least one, so add a trip to the auto parts store to your time budget. Next, remember to remove a total of three threaded plugs (vent at top of engine, crank case drain, and oil reservoir drain), and drain oil into your disposal system. The engine vent plug is the PITA, I’d publish a photo, but then I’d have to spend a day or two taking the sled apart to be able to see it. I couldn’t believe Louie was able to get that plug in and out blind. Perhaps he should switch from his Industrial Design program to being a brain surgeon?
Changing snowmobile oil, Nytro, in the Wildsnow garage workshop.
Oh, and don’t forget the oil filter (don’t ask me how I know.)
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
