atc help!

[twentyfourseven]

okay guys, i'm planning to take a trip out to my aunts farm sometime soon. she has a 3 wheeler, i think it's a big red 250es -i'm not positive on the model or year. she said it runs. since they don't ride it often, i'm planning on bringing fresh gas and changing the oil. should i use 10w-30 honda pro gn4, and what's the oil capacity? will i also need an oil filter, can i get by with just an oil change? are the filters on these the same? it is a big red utility atc w/ racks. probably going to change the sparkplug too, i heard ngk dr8es is the plug to use, or d8ea, or champion ra8hc, sound right?

thanks!
-dan

[twentyfourseven]

also, is changing the filter fairly simple to do? never worked on these before, but i do have mechanical knowledge.

[MonroeMike]

Welcome to 3ww.

See if you can get her to give you the VIN number before your trip, enter it here.

http://atcvin.webs.com/

If it is indeed a Big Red 250, most of your answers can be found here.

http://72.52.143.80/~trikes/Manuals/ATC%20manuals/atc250es-85-87servicemanual.pdf

[haggard 2hundie]

wouldnt hurt to clean the carb up and possibly air filter

[hatc]

ok if it is the 250es big red... change the oil, there is no filter but a metal screen behind the drain plug and is spring loaded... check the air filter and replace the plug... i dont know which plug but that sounds about right. And for the oil? They arent picky, any 10w30 will do... just pick a brand u trust and dont pay an arm and a leg for honda oil

[blue27]

A 250 big red should have a paper filter the 200s have the screen, just be aware that the paper filter goes in one way only, and if installed incorrectly will cause major engine damage. I good carb clean may be needed if it was stored with gas in it , 10w-30 should be fine and of course fresh gas.

Good luck

[Dirtcrasher]

I don't care for CHAMPION spark plugs.......

The oil, any brand that is certified is just as good and half or less the cost. Just don't get any oil with "anti friction/anti wear crap" - not good for trikes. The 250CC ES has an oil filter, STP, FRAM and ENGO (SP?) cross reference and some come with the large o-ring for the cover - I like that :D

Put it in backwards and the top end is starved of oil...........

GOOD LUCK!!

[blue27]

oh yea hes right NO CHAMPION plugs get an NGK ... and it is spelled Emgo

[twentyfourseven]

thanks everyone, i'm 95% sure it's a big red 250es, i bought a oil filter off ebay, i'll get some 10w-30 at the bike shop, what's the capacity? i'll get a sparkplug or two at napa. should i bother changing the differential fluid? i heard 80w-90 gear oil is what to use, is this simple to change? my dad never changed the differential oil on our 84 big red 200, and it ran great. i'll clean the air filter off, put some fresh gas in it, and hopefully have a fun time! -dan

[CRAZY70MAN]

thanks everyone, i'm 95% sure it's a big red 250es, i bought a oil filter off ebay, i'll get some 10w-30 at the bike shop, what's the capacity? i'll get a sparkplug or two at napa. should i bother changing the differential fluid? i heard 80w-90 gear oil is what to use, is this simple to change? my dad never changed the differential oil on our 84 big red 200, and it ran great. i'll clean the air filter off, put some fresh gas in it, and hopefully have a fun time! -dan 2.1 quarts for the oil and filter change. You can get the filters at any auto parts store cheap, Fram CH6015 is the filter that I use, 1.00 or so each. Any decent motor oil will do the trick. 10w30 or 10w40.....Make sure to warm up engine, makes for a better job. If it has rear suspension, it is a 250es by the way.