Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Jan 20/06) - Kids, or people acting like kids, and snow conditions are the two main reasons that bring snowmobiles to see Garry Scarfe.

Scarfe is the owner of Satsoo Small Engines in Fort Simpson. As the only small engine shop in a large area, if a snowmobile breaks down it will come to him, unless someone is doing home repairs, said Scarfe.

Garry Scarfe works on a Bombardier motor at Satsoo Small Engines. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Aside from reckless driving, light, fluffy snow is the number one enemy of snowmobiles, Scarfe said.

"Forty below doesn't hurt them much - it's the snow," he said.

A fine mist of snow thrown up by driving or falling off of trees can work its way into the motor and carburettors. Inside the snowmobile, the snow breaks down into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen burns in the engine.

"That can be dangerous. You can blow engines up," he said.

Fine snow can also create a build up of too much moisture which will freeze the air intake. With too much air being allowed in, the motor burns out, "and that's expensive," said Scarfe.

Scarfe's simple tip for keeping snowmobiles on the trails and snowmobile enthusiasts happy is regular maintenance. A machine should be checked out at least once a year.

"It saves a lot of headaches and griefs throughout the year," he said.

Important steps include cleaning the fuel tank, carburettors and chain case.

Also check the clutch, the chain and sprockets for any signs of breakage.

Once a week, the track and suspension system should be checked to make sure the bolts are tight.

It's also important to keep an eye on the bearings.

"It (a bearing) can look fine one day and be gone the next," he said.

When out on the trails Scarfe suggests people carry a spare belt and spark plugs.

Snowmobiles start arriving at Satsoo Small Engines about a week after it gets cold, usually in November, said Scarfe.

Mechanical problems are pretty basic, he said. It's electrical problems that are the hardest to identify and find. In newer snowmobiles, just like in new vehicles, parts aren't repaired, just replaced, said Scarfe. So far this snowmobile season hasn't been as busy as others for the shop.

Scarfe said not as many people are out because of the lack of snow. You need deeper snow to go fast on the trails, he said.