Arctic Cat EL TIGRE 5000 1981 User manual

ITEM INTERVAL REMARKS
Daily Weekly Mont hly
N uts , Bolts, Fasteners XCheck tightness
Recoil StarterXCheck rope for wear, fr
aying , proper opera tio n
Ski
Alignmen tX
Check accor ding to s pecifications
Ski Shock Absorbers XCheck fluid leakage, damage
Ski Wear-Bars XCheck wear, damage
Spark Plug s XCheck center electrode ins
ulato r color, carbon, gap.
tightness
Suspens ion XCheck da
mage , l oose components, proper adjus tment
Track Al
ignme nt, XCheck a
cco rding to specifi cati ons
Tension
w ear-Strips XC
heck wear (according to specifica tions), dam age
Wires , Cables X
Check wear, damage, routing
Chain Case,ChainXCheck
Chainlube level, leaka ge, chain tension, wear, damag
(annually)
Coo ling S ystem -XCheck wear, leakage, damag e
Heat Ex changer s
Coo ling S yste m> XCheck tightness (
acc ordin g to specific ations),
Water Pump Belt wear, da
mage
Drive Belt XCheck length and width dimensions (according to spect
fic a-
tions!
Drive Clutc h XCheck
damag e, abnorm al no ise, vibration, drive belt
depo sit s, lubricate (250 mi les)
Driven P
ulle yXCheck binding, sticking, damage, drivWJelt deposits
Rear Suspension Arm XGrease (low-
tempe ratur e)
7

GENERAL INFORMATION
SNOWMOBILE IDENTIFICATION
The Arctic Cat Snowmobile has two identification
numbers: The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
is stamped into the tunn el near the right side
footrest (Fig. 1). The engine serial number is
stamped into the crankcase on the intake side of
the engine (Fig. 2). The engine model number is
located on the engine magneto housing.
These numbers are required by the dealer to corn-
plete warranty claims properly. No warranty will
be allowed by Arctic if the engine serialnumberor
VIN is removed or mutiiated in any way.
•NOTE: Refer to the Consumer Warranty and
Service Booklet for complete details con-
cerning owner responsibility and provisions of the
warranty. .
Fig. 1
VIN
Always provide the snowmobile name, VIN,
engine serialnumber, and engine model number
when
conta ct ing an author ized Arctic Cat
Sno
wmobi le dealer for parts, service, ac-
cessories, or warranty. If the compiete engine
must be replaced, ask the deaier to notif y Arctic
for correct regi str ation information.
CONTROL LOCATIONS
Fig. 2
8
I
Engine Serial
Number
0726·383
0725·009
Fig. 3
Headlight
Dimmer
Sw itch
Brake
Lever
Parking
Brake
5000 Emergency
Stop
Switch
Throttle
Cont rol
Leve r
Recoi l
Starter
Handle
0726·329
.....

...
• CA UT IO N •
Ga so lin e addi tives , gasoho l, and white gas MUST NOT
BE USEO; they w ill event ually cause engine damage .
Recommended Gasoline
The correct gasoline to use is 88 min imum octane
regular leaded.
•NOTE: Arc
tic re commend s leaded gasoline;
however, unleaded premium gasoline may
be used as a
substitute if leadedgasoline is not
available.
• CAUTION •
Any other oil used besides Arctic Cat 50 :1 Oil for the
5000 or Ar ctic Ca t 20:1 Oil for the 6000 will likely cau se
se ri ous en g in e da mag e.
Recommended Oil
The correct oil to use
for the 5000 is Arctic Cat
50
:1 Oil and for the 6000 is Arc tic Cat 20:1 Oil.
These oils are specially formulated to meet the
lubrication requirements for each
Arct ic Cat
Snowmobile engine.
• CA UTI ON •
Ne verm ix g asol ine a nd o il inthe snowmobile fu el tank .
Gas/Oil Mix ing I nstr uct ions (5000)
Before mixing gasoline and oil , make sure the oil
is at room temperature (200C/68° F). Use an ap-
proved 24.6 I (6.5 U.S. gal.) fuel container for mix-
ing the gasoline and oil. To properly mix the fuel
at a 50:1 ratio for the 5000, use the fo
llo wing pro-
cedure:
1. Pour gasoline into the fuel container
until ap-
proximately half full.
2. Pour one can (473 ml or 16 fl oz) of Arctic Cat
50
:1 Oil into the container.
3. Cap the container and shake the mixture
vigorously.
0726·330
Emergency
Stop
Switch
6000
Brake
Lever
Head light Dimm er
Switch
Fig. 4
GASOLlNE·OIL
9

4. Fill the container with a total of 22.7 I (6 U.S.
gaL) of g asoline .
5. Cap
the container and sha ke the mi xture
vigorously .
6.
Using a fine -mesh screened funnel , pour the
fuel mi xture from the container into the
sno wmobiie fuel tank.
£ WARNING £
Always fill fuel tank ina well·ventilated area. Never add
fuel to the snowmobile fuel tank near any open flames
orwith engine running. DO NOT SMOKE while mixing
fuel or filling fuel tank.
Gas /Oil Mixing Ins tru ction s (6000)
Before mi
xing gasoline and oil, make sure the oil
is at
room temperature (20" C/68" F). Use an ap-
proved 24.6 I (6.5 U.S. (jal .) fuel conta i
ner for mix-
ing the g asoline and oil. To prop erly mix the fuel
at a 20:1 r
atio for the 6000, use the f oll o win g pro-
cedur e:
• C
AUTIO N •
Never mix gasoline and oil in the sn owmobile fue l ta nk .
1. Pour 9.5 I (2 1/2 U.S. gaL) of
gaso line int o the
fuel co nta i ner .
10
2. Pour one can (946 ml or 32 fi oz) of Arctic Cat
20:1 Oil into t he conta iner.
3.
Cap the container and s hak e the mixture
vigorously.
4. Pour an additional 9.5 I (2 1/2 U.S. gaL)
of
gas olin e into the container.
5. Cap
the co n ta iner and sh ake the mi xture
vigorously.
6. U
sin g a fin e-mesh screened funn el, pou r the
fuel mi
xture from the con ta iner int o the
sno wmobile fuei tan k.
L1 WARNING &.
Always fill fuel tank ina well· ventilated area. Never add
fuel to the snowmobile fuel tank near any open flames
orwith engine running. DO NOT SMOKE while mixing
fuel or filling fuel tank.
ENGINE BREAK-IN
The EI Tigre Sno w mob ile requires a short break-in
period be fore the e ngi ne is sub jec ted 10 heavy '
load condit ions. The break-in per iod should last
unt il the fi rst tan kfu l of fue l is cons umed .

During the break-in period, a ma ximum of 1/2 Fig. 5
throttle is recommended; however, brief full-
thro
ttl eaccelerations and variations in driving
speeds
contribute to good engine break-in. After
the second tankful of fuel (on the 5000 ,one
tankful of a 24:1 fue i mixture for break-in and one
tankfu l of the standard 50:1 fuel mixture), the
sno
wmobile may be taken to an authorized Arctic
Cat Sn owmob ile dealer for acheckup. This
checkup is at the discretion and the expense
of
the sno wmobil eowner.
For the
5000 ,the break-in tankful of fuel should be
a24:1 mixture;
therefo re, two cans (946 ml or 32 fl
oz) of Arctic Cat 50:1 Oil in 22.7 I (6 U.S. gaL) of
gasoline .
Lock Nuts 0726·330
For the 6000 ,the break-in tankfu l of fuel should be
the standard 20:1
mixture (See Gas/Oil Mixing In-
structions (6000) section).
•NOTE: It is
not necessary to exceed the one
tankfu l lim itation of 24:1 gas/oil mixture
break-in in the 5000. Continuous use of a 24:1
gas/oil mixture could cause spark plug fouling
and excessive carbon buildup .
HANDLEBAR TILT
The EI Tigre Sno
wmobile is equipped with a
handlebar
tilt feature. To adjust the handlebar,
use the following proce
dur e:
1. Loosen the four lock nut s securing the
handlebar caps and
bloc k dir ectl y above the
con sole (Fig. 5).
2. Adjust the handlebar up or down to operator's
desired
tilt , tighten the lock nuts evenly to 1.4
kg-m (10 It-lb), and check steering for max-
imum right/left turning
capabilities .
& WARNING &
Tighten lock nuts according to specifications to prevent
unexpected "Iold-down" 01 the handlebar during opera-
. tion over rough terrain and DO NOT position handlebar
so steering (lull right and Iulllef11uming capabilities) or
throttle and brake controls are allected.
AIR INTAKE SILENCER
Used in conjunction
with the carburetors is a
specially designed air intake silencer. The pur-
pose of the silencer is to quiet the intake of fresh
11

air used in carburetion. Since the carburetors are
calibrated wit h the air intake silencer in place, the
engine m ust never be run with the silencer re-
moved. Perfor
mance w ili not be improved if the air
intake si
lencer is removed. In con trast ,severe
engine damage
wil loccur.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
On
the 5000, the e xhaust system consists of a
pulse charger. On the 6000, the e
xhaus t system
consists of a muffler and an expansion chamber.
The e
xhaust system is designed to impro ve the
total perf ormance of the engine and to reduce
noise. If any e
xhaust system c omponen t is re-
moved from the
engine ,severe engine damage
will result ;therefore,removal of any e xhaus t
system component voids the engine warrant y.
L1aUID COOLING SYSTEM (6000)
The
Enigr e 6000 is equipped with a liquid co oling
system for .engine coo ling. The cooling system
capacity is 2.39 I (0.62 U.S. gal. or 2.48 qt). The
cool ing system should be inspected daily for
leakage and darnaqe. Also, the
coo l ant level
should be checked daily. If leakage JlJ damage is
d
etected ,take the snowmobile to an author ized
Arctic Cat Snow mobile dealer for service.
•
CA UTION •
00 not use a"st ep leak" or any other radiator addit ive.'
Severe engine da mage lIP.. y occur .
When fil ling th e cool
ing sys te m, use a
coolant/water mi
xtu re which will satisfy the cold-
12
est antic ipated weather condit ions of your area in
accordance with the coolant manufac turer's
rec omm endations. Wh ile the cooling s ystem is
being
fil led, air pockets may develop; therefore,
run
the e ngine for two to three minutes after the
initia l fill, shut the eng ine off , and then fill the
cooling system to appro ximate ly 25 mm (1 in.)
below the filler neck.
Every two years
the cool ing s ystem should be
drained,
flushed , and pressure tested for leakage.
Take the snowm
obile to an authorized Arctic Cat
Snowmobile dealer for this ser v ice .
DRIVE CLUTCH AND DRIVEN PULLEY
The driven
pulle y does not require lubri cation ;
the refore, no spe cial ma inten ance is required by
the sn ow mobile owner. However, the drive clutch
should be lubri
cat ed appr oxlrnatel y every 250
mile s (See Lubri cation - Drive Clut ch section).
Also , the drive clutch and driv en pull ey should be
disassemb led, cleaned, and inspected by an
authorized
Arctic Cat Sno wm obil e dea ler after
every 1000 m iles of operation or at the end of the
snowmobiling season, wh ichever occurs first.
• C
AU T ION •
00
NOT attempt to service t he drive clutch anddriven
p
ulley . The drive clutchand driv en pulle y mu st be ser -
vic ed by an au thorized Arctic Cat Sno wmobile de al er
only. S ervicing thedrive clutc h and driv en pulle y by pe r-
son s other IIlan an auth oriz ed Arctic Cat Sno w mobile
deal er vo ids the wa rra nty .

DRIVE CLUTCH/DRIVEN PULLEY ALIGNMENT
The parallelism and the
offset between the drive
clutch and driven pulley are set at the factory.
Normally, no adj ustment is necessary as long as
neither the drive
clutch nor the driven pulley is
removed or disassembled.However, if premature
drive belt failure is experienced or if the drive belt
turns over, the drive c
lutch/dr iven pulley aliqn-
ment m
ust be checked. Take the snowmobile to
an authorized Arcti c Cat Snowmobile dealer for
thi s service.
DRIVE
CHA IN TENSION
The drive chain must be properiy tensioned for
proper operation to prevent " ratc heti
ng" and un-
necessary chain/sprocket wear. The chain ten-
sioner in the Ar
cti c drive system is automatic;
therefore, no adjustment is required by the
snowmobile owner/operator. Arctic recommends
that the chain, sprockets, chain tensioner and
pads be checked for wear and the chain for p'roper
tension
annually when preparing the snow mobile
for summer storage. To check the chain ,
sprockets, chain
tensioner , and pads, remove the
chaln-case cover and seai and drai n the lubrica nt.
If any of the compone
nts of the chain case are
damaged or wo rn exc essive ly, ta ke th e
snow mo bile to an auth oriz ed Ar ct ic Cat
Snowmobile dealer for service.
•NOTE: On the 5000, the pulse charger
must
be removed for this procedure.
•NOTE: Place rags in the belly pan to absorb
the lubricant.
OPERA TING INSTRUCTIONS
Move the emergency stop switc h to the UP
position .
On the 6000, a lways check coolant l evel before start ing
the engin e.
For a cold engine, move the choke lever to the
full-choke
position (Fig. 6). If the engine is
warm, choking is not normally necessary.
STARTING AND STOPPING ENGINE
It is imperative
that all safety checks found on
pages 24-25 of the
acco mpanying Snowmobile
Safety Handbook be performed before a
tte mpting
to start the engine. After the engine has been
started, check the headli
ght (high and low beam),
taillight, and brakelight to be
sur e they are work-
ing properly and adjusted correc
tiy . Make sure all
lights are clean to provide maximum
illumi nation.
The headlight and taillight must be clean and
must be il luminated whenever the engine is run-
ning.
1.
2.
•
CAUTION
•-.
13

the middle position. Choke lever should be
fully
off when engine is warm (Fig. 6). Slight
throttle control lever compression may be
necessary after the engine starts and during
warm-up. Idle the engine several
minutes un-
til the engine has reached normal operating
temperature.
Fig. 6
"\ . ..-f-!-- Off
0725-001 •
CAUTION
•
1-
•NOTE: When the engine is being started
with
aid 01 the choke, DO NOT COMPRESS THE
THRO
TTlE CONTROL lEVE R. II the throttle con-
tr ol lever is compressed, the engine will not start
because the
luellair mixture will be too lean. To
start a warm engine, however, the
throttle control
lever may have to be
comp ressed slightly.
3. Insert key into
ignition switch; then rotate key
to the RUN positjon.
4. Pull the recoil handle slowlyuntil resistance
is felt; then give a short quick pull. The engine
shou Id start; however, if the engine does not
start, repeat
this step.
•
CAUT IO N •
To avo id damaging the recoil sta rter. 00 NOT pu ll the
r
ecoil rope toits limit or re lease the re coil han d le f rom
an ex te nd ed po sition . Allo w ropetor ew ind sl ow ly.
5. When the engine starts, allow it to warm up
for approximately
3D seconds with the choke
lever in the full-choke position. After the
3D-second warm-up, move the choke lever to
14
T he e ng ine mus t be th or o ug hlywarmedup be f ore high
spee d o pe ratio n or seve re engine dama ge may oc cur.
00 noto pe ra tethee ng ine at mo re tha n1/2 thr ottle until
t
he en gin e has r ea ch ed normal ope ra t in gt emperatu r e.
6. Flooding-If the engine does not start when
the choke is being used but seems ready to
start, move the choke lever
fully off. Lock the
parking brake; then compress the
throttl e
control lever tully and try to start the engine.
When the engine starts, release the
thr otti e
control lever immediately. After warm-up,
release the parking brake.
•NOTE: Continued choking
will only cause
the engine to flood more.
•NOTE: II the engine
lails to start during the
attempt w
ith the throttle control lever corn-
pressed, remove the spark plugs and clean and
dry them thoroughly or install a new set 01 proper-
Iy gapped, recommended spark plugs.
7. To shut off the engine, turn the
igniti on key to
the OFF position or push the emergency stop
switch to the DOWN position.
•

•NOTE: On the 6000
to prevent b ackfir ing,
allow the engine to idl e for approximately 30
seconds before shutting off the engine.
EMERGENCY STARTING (5000)
The EI Tigre 5000 is equipped
with an emergency
starting strap if the recoil star ter system should
fail. The emergency starting strap is enclosed in
the tool kit located in the
too l box. Keep the too l
kit with the snowmobi le at all times. To use the
emergency starting strap, use the fo
llow ing pro-
cedure:
1. Open the hood and remove the hit ch pin
securing the clutch shield; then swing the
shield forward.
2. Place the end of the strap in one of the cap
screw notches of the drive clu
tch .
3. While holding the strap in the notch , win d the
strap counterclockwise around the drive
clutch .
ill WARNING ill
After using the emergency starting strap to start the
engine. carefully lower the clutch shield and secure
with the hitch pin . Keep hands and clothing away from
the driven pulley and the rotating drive clutch. DO NOT
operate the snowmobile without the clutch shield in
place . Personal injury may result
EMERGENCY STARTING (6000)
The EI Tigre 6000 Is equipped with an emergency
starting strap if the recoil starter system should
fail. The emergency starting strap is enclosed in
the tool kit located in the tool box. Keep the tool
kit
wit h the snowmobile at all times. To use the
emergency starting strap, use the fo
llowi ng pro-
cedure:
4. Fo llo wing properstarting procedures, pull the
strap briskly upward to start the engine (Fig.
7).
Fig. 7
( ~ ~:s ~ /; Emerge ncy
r ~ S t a r t i n g
Strap
Fig. 8
Drive C lutt~C ~ h 'fi~ ~~§~~~~~ ~
Tower 0726-794
15

1. Open the hood and remove the hitch pin
securing the clutch shield; then swing the
shield forward.
2. Place the end of the strap on the outside of
one of the towers of the drive clutch.
3. While holding the strap on the tower, wind the
strap counterclockwise around the drive
clutch.
ill WARNING ill
Do not wrap the end 01 the SlJap around the clutch
tower. Personal injury may result. Place the end 01 the
strap Olf the outside 01 the tower only.
4. Foilowing proper starting procedures, pull the
strap briskly upward to start the engine (Fig.
8).
ill WARNING ill
After using the emergency starting SlJap. DO NOT
allow the SlJap to come in contact with the rotating
drive clutch. Also. carefully lowe r the clutch shield and
secure with the h~ch pin . Keep hands and clothing
away from the driven pulley and the rotating drive
clutch. DO NOT operate the snowmobile without the
clutch shield in place. Personal injury may result.
16
THROTTLE/IGNITION MONITOR SWITCH
The throttle controi is equipped with a monitor
switch for safety purposes which wiil stop the
engine when a loss of return spring force occurs.
If ice forms in the carburetor/throttle system or if
there is some
other malfunction of the car-
buretor/throttle system resuiting in a loss of
return spring force, the
monitor s witch will stop
the engine when the
throttle controi lever is
released .
If the snowmobile engine stops abruptly when the
throttle control lever is released and the activa-
tion of the
monitor switch is suspected, use the
foliowing procedure:
1. Rotate the
ignition key to the OFF position.
2. Remove
ice and sno w from the car-
buretor/throttle system and
wait 5-10 minutes
for the.engine heat to
tha w ice from the car-
buretor/throttle system.
3. Test the
throttle control lever by compressing
and releasing it severai times. The lever
MUST return to the idle position quickly and
completely. .
ill WARNING ill
If the throUle control lever does not work properly, DO
NOT ATTEMPT TO START THE ENGINE .

...
- - - - ----------------------- -- -
4. If the throttle control lever operates properly,
rotate the ignition key to the RUN
position
and go through normal s tart ing procedures.
•NOTE: If the
throttle control lever operates
properly and the engine does
not start, a
malfunctioning monit or switch may be the prob-
lem. Take the snowm
obile to an autho rized Arctic
Cat Snowmobile dealer for service. However, if a
dir eemergencyexists wherein the engine must be
started,
install the Emergency Thr ottl ellgnition
Monitor Switch Bypass Plug. The Bypass Plug is
located in the tool kit in the tool box of the
snowmobile . Keep the Bypass Plug and tool kit
with the snowmobile at all times. If the Bypass
Plug is needed to start the engine, take the
snowmobile to an authorized Arc tic Cat
Snowmobile dealer
lor service.
& WARNING &
& WARNING &
Under no circumstances should this Bypass Plug be
used as a substitute for the monitor switch during ner -
mal operation 01 the snowmobile. Personal injury and
damage could occur if the carburelorlthronJe system
malfunctions or if the operator is unable to stop the
engine in an emergency . If the snowmobile must be
operated using the Bypass Plug. EXTREME CAUTION
MUST BE TAKEN . NEVER EXCEED 10 MPH WITH THE
BYPASS PLUG INSTALLED.
A. Cut the handlebar pad cable ties; then roll
the pad back to expose the s
witc h
connector.
B. Pull up on switch
connector release tab
and remove s
witch connector from the
throttle control lever housing (Fig. 9).
If any malfunction 01 the carburetorlthronJe system oc-
curs (such as freezing in fluffy snowl and the monitor
switch does not shut off the engine. press down on the
emergency stop switch IMMEDIATELY to stop the
engine . DO NOT startthe engine until the malfunction in
the carburetor/throttle system has been located and Lor·
rected.
5. To install the Emergency Thrott lellgni tion
Mon itor Switch Bypass Plug, use the follo w-
ing procedure:
Fig. 9
..
Release
Tab
0126-104
17

C. Insert Bypass Plug into switch connector
(Fig. 10).
Fig. 10
0726·103
•NOTE: The
monitor switch is now bypassed.
With exception
of the monitor switch and the
emergency
stop switch , all other ignition/elec·
trical features (ignition
switch, headlight, taillight,
and brakelight) will operate properly. Disengage·
ment of the
switch connector and Bypass Plug
will stop the engine.
D. Attach the Bypass
PI ug cord to the
snowmobile operator in some manner
(suit, belt, vest, etc.).
6, WARNING 6,
The Bypass Plug cord must be attached tothe operator;
it will serve as an emergency e ngine "shut off" ij the
operator acc identally falls off the snowmobile or ij
another emergency arises.
LUBRICA TION
CHAIN CASE (EVERY40 OPERATING HOURS)
1. Shut engine off and wait for all moving parts
to stop; then open the hood.
2. Remove the check plug from the chain-case
cover. Check the oil level. Oil must be at the
point of overflowing at the check plug hole
(Fig. 11).
•NOTE; On the 5000, the pulse charger must
be removed for this procedure.
18
3. If oil is low, remove the fil ler plug (Fig. 11) and
add Arctic Chain lube through the filier plug
hole. When the oil is at the point of overflow-
ing in the check plug hole, install both the
check plug and the fil ler.plup.
•NOTE: If excessive
oil deposits are noticed
in the belly pan, take the snowmobile to an
authorized
Arctic Cat Snowmobile dealer for ser-
vice.