Chinese ATVs are a fantastic and affordable alternative to more expensive Japanese or European brands. But if you want to get the most out of them, proper maintenance is essential.
In this post, we’re going to be looking at how to best maintain Chinese ATVs.
Before we get started, note that this isn’t meant to be a comprehensive guide, and the correct way to maintain your ATV will vary between different brands and models.
With over 20 years of experience, our goal is to share some general maintenance tips that apply to most Chinese ATVs, but you should always refer to your owner’s manual as a first resort. And if the information below contradicts the manufacturer’s instructions, always defer to their recommendations instead.
It’s also usually a good idea to leave the maintenance to professional technicians wherever possible, rather than taking care of it yourself. If you bought your Chinese ATV from ATV Wholesale Outlet, our in-house experts can help.
Now that’s covered, let’s dive into it!
Assemble It Carefully
At ATV Wholesale Outlet, all our Chinese ATVs come pre-assembled by professionals, so they’re ready to ride straight away.
But if you ordered your ATV online, you may have to assemble it yourself at home. It’s important to take care during this initial assembly process to make sure your ATV is fit to ride before you take it out on the trails. You should always follow your owner’s assembly manual for your specific model as a first resort. This can be a tricky process, as often time’s instructions are written very poorly and may be difficult to follow. Proper initial assembly will help ensure your dirt bike is safe to ride and minimize maintenance requirements later down the line.
Change Oil Regularly
The oil in your ATV helps to lubricate moving parts in the engine and protect them from wear and tear. To maximize the lifespan of your vehicle, it’s important to change the engine oil regularly.
If your ATV is brand new, it’s also a good idea to change the oil before you ride it for the first time. This is because many China ATVs arrive with cheap, low-grade factory “shipping oil” which is not intended for operating the vehicle.
Fortunately, changing the oil is a simple, straightforward maintenance task. First, locate the oil drain plug on the bottom side of your engine, remove the plug with a socket and allow a few minutes for the oil to fully drain out.
After draining, replace the plug and refill the oil at the dipstick to the appropriate level. This will usually be around 700ml or so for small Chinese ATVs. We suggest using non-synthetic 10W40 motorcycle oil, but make sure you use the right oil weight based on your manufacturer’s recommendations.
Adjust the Chain
You should lubricate the chain on your ATV before every ride. It may also become loose over time and need tightening (or in some cases, loosening).
You’ll know it’s too loose if you hear a popping sound and your ATV jerks under acceleration, or if the chain jumps off. If it’s too tight, it may be noisy and bind, which you should be able to feel by pushing the ATV with the motor off. Bear in mind chains sometimes feel tight when the ATV is brand new, but will usually stretch and create slack once you break it in.
To adjust your Chinese ATV’s chain, look near the center of the rear axle. You should see 4 bolts: two on top and two on the bottom. Loosen these bolts, then either tighten or loosen the key-shaped tensioners to adjust the chain. Once you’re happy with the amount of tension on the chain, retighten the bolts.
Check the Fuel Lines & Filters
Inspect your fuel lines and fuel filters regularly. Many smaller, cheap Chinese quads don’t have fuel pumps and are gravity-fed from the tank instead.
The fuel lines carry fuel from the tank to the carburetor through a small in-line fuel filter. These lines can crack and tear over time, causing fuel to leak out. In that case, you should replace the fuel line by pulling it off and installing a new one.
You should also check for kinks in the line that stops fuel from reaching the carburetor, and you may also need to replace the filter at some point.
Clean the Carburetor
The carburetor is the part responsible for pumping fuel and mixing it with air via small diaphragms and ports. These ports can become clogged up with contaminants like dirt and debris, which can negatively impact your ATV’s performance.
You can clean the carburetor by removing it from the engine and soaking it in a mixture of water and fuel solvent, then carefully brushing away the dirt and debris from the outside.
Tighten Nuts and Bolts
Over time, the nuts and bolts on your ATV can vibrate and come loose. That’s why it’s important to regularly check and tighten nuts and bolts on your ATV, such as the jamb nuts on your tie rod.
Just make sure that you don’t over-tighten anything and accidentally cause damage to your ATV. It’s a good idea to use a good-quality torque wrench to make sure this doesn’t happen.
Follow Proper Storage Procedures
When your ATV isn’t in use, it’s important to store it correctly. Leaving your ATV outside exposed to UV rays, rain, wind, and freezing temperatures can damage the parts and components, which isn’t good.
Ideally, you should store your ATV indoors in a dry area, like your garage. But if you must store it outside, make sure you use a heavy-duty, high-quality cover to protect it from the elements.
If you’re storing your ATV long-term, there are additional steps to take, especially if you’re storing it during the winter months. For example, you’ll want to clean it so there’s no dirt or debris to corrode it during its time in storage. You might also want to lubricate everything, change the oil, etc.
Some manufacturers have specific recommendations to prevent corrosion. For example, you may need to remove the air filter, spray fogging oil into the intake, drain the carburetor, disconnect the battery, etc. Check your manufacturer’s instructions for specific recommendations.
Leave it to the Professionals
That concludes our brief guide on how to maintain Chinese ATVs. The tips above can help you to keep your ATV in tip-top condition, but for the best results, the most important tip is to buy from a reputable dealership.
At ATV Wholesale Outlet, all our Chinese ATVs come pre-assembled and undergo a 3-phase quality control inspection before you take them home.
And our team of experts is always ready to service, maintain, and repair your vehicle from our in-house professional repair shop. Check out our selection of ATVs to find out more!
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