87 Phazer

R

ronclark

New member
Joined
Sep 4, 2011
Messages
22
Age
42
Location
Wa State
Hi all i am new here and new to sledding.

I picked up a 87 Phazer Deluxe for $125.
the odometer says 2045 miles on it.
I got it running, but i need to clean the carbs.
but before i go farther i need to know if i should fix it up or part it out and find something else to try sledding out.
My plan is using for trails riding and getting from place to place.
i know there are alot of groomed trails not to far from me, its pretty hilly and wooded around here.

So far the bad is
The seat needs to be fixed.
Electric start motor is bad.
The primary clutch seems to be stuck it does not engage at all.
I am pretty sure its corroded, its looks like all the water drips right on top.

6161170808_d18541d448.jpg
 

from the picture the overall condition of that sled doesnt look all that bad.

if it comes down just needing some cleaning, a seat, and some minor details, for your investment, keep it.

the phazers are surprisingly reliable sleds, not too bad to ride for what they were, and fixed up may net you in the $700 range.

where you at in washington?
 
snowdad4 said:
from the picture the overall condition of that sled doesnt look all that bad.

if it comes down just needing some cleaning, a seat, and some minor details, for your investment, keep it.

the phazers are surprisingly reliable sleds, not too bad to ride for what they were, and fixed up may net you in the $700 range.

where you at in washington?
Click to expand...

Southwest washington, just north of Vancouver.

Is the cluch fixable or should I look for a replacement?

Any good outlets for parts, I see I can get a lot on ebay, but I find for other projects thy can be over priced.

For the year I thought it was really clean some surface rust, some body scraps.

Thanks for the fast reply and the help
 
clutch is rebuildable to a degree. if its just corroded or some of the bushings are wore, i would rebuild it. if the sheaves or spider are shot, look into a used replacement. downside to used is you never know what your getting condition wise.

for oem parts, there are site sponsors that will have what you need(port yamaha), as well as others. for used parts, right here in the classified section is a great place to start. of course theres the craigslist and ebay.

i have an 88 i am considering parting out. it has a newly covered seat that i havent seen yet.

i am on the direct opposite side of the state, southeast corner. i have 2 aunts in the vancouver area.
 
nice buy!! and welcome to the sight!! i warn you, the longer you follow the posts on this sight, the more "mod fever" you will get!!!! ;)!
 
Thanks for the welcome.

Well i guess i pull it off and see whats inside.

I have seen what others have posted and done. it all looks cool, but i am really not sure modding this sled is worth is it.
If i enjoy sledding I'll probable look for something newer and make more since to mod.
I am not looking for a speed demon, I think i'll be happy if I can get make my own trails and get around the groomed trails here.
 
That machine is definitely worth modding. Thats the ultimate lightweight powder machine with a long track. They'll go anywhere. Sure it might not climb straight up the side of a vertical mountain like a turbo apex but it will still go anywhere.
 
Well I have a update. I did a compression test cold and it seems pretty low at 90psi on each.
I hope this does not end up being a money pit, its starting to seems it needs alittle bit of everything.
When I get some more free time ill be pulling the clutch off.
 
I pulled the cluch last night and it looks like on of the plastic guides are melted, ill post some pick up later if that helps.
I pulled the carbs, its going to take some soaking to get them cleaned lots of gunk all over inside.

The pto crank seal was pretty dryed out but there is this black gunk inside
Can I flush it with some mix gas?

Since it looked something might have gotten hot I pulled the top end off.
Looks like the rings are shot, a good amount of blow by on the skirts
Nothing is scored 1+ there

I do have a question about reringing. Ok to just to rering or put a new piston. I in my search I find both answers. I don't know a lot about 2 strokes. If it was a 4 stroke I would just rering.

Thanks for the help
 
if the piston is still within the manufacturer recommended tolerances than just re-ring, if not piston and rings. you can get the tolerances from the service manual for the sled if you have one.
 
That's that if figured since the the manual just talked about replacing it out of spec.
But I thought I would ask to just to make sure
 
I wanted to give a update.
I think after soaking the carbs for a two weeks i got them clean. those were the worse carbs i have ever seen. i should have taken a photo. oil and dirt caked all over inside and this brown caked stuff that looked like rust.
FYI the Yamaha carb cleaner really does not do a good job it made turned everything to goo.I sure was hoping it would work i don't like using solvent. i went back to the carb dip from Napa i normal use. it does a good job, but don't get on your skin, it feels like fire after abit.
I am hoping to have it all put back together and get it started and see what else does not work.
I am sure hoping it runs like a top and ready for some snow.
 
Make sure to check the airbox. Sounds like some mice may have gotten in there to do that to the carbs. Seen that far too often. Stay within a budget and do all your general maintenance and cleaning to see if you can get the clutches working etc. Put some time into it before you spend money. Seat covers are about 100$ but are pretty attainable. The rest looks pretty clean and the Phazers are great on the trail and off. Very light, fun, dependable and great on gas.
 
Yep, Sounds like it probly had a leaky head gasket, and whoever owned it before you didnt notice and burned up the rings. I lose a head gasket on mine about every 2000 miles.which is alot better then my IT465 which now has copper gaskets that I anneal
every 5-8 tanks of gas. My phazer has 7k miles on it and ive gone through 2 gaskets . But they are only 40 bucks and if you catch it in time it only takes 2 hours to replace, and saves you alot of headache.
That being said, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my phazer, best sub 500cc sled ever made.
Was my first sled and I'll never get rid of it. It's a real "sleeper" crazy power for what it is, reliable as can be {like anything..if properly maintaned} and always full of surprises, Just when you think it cant-it does!
Did I mention it's towed 2 ski-doo's and 1 Polaris out out of the woods!
Nothing better then an 88 Phazer towing an 05 rev :yam:
 
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Well i got back together enough to get it started.it started up really easy.

Electric starter fixed, the brushes were stuck and the commutator was really dirty.

I do have a questions about the carb plugs mine were installed center and right but i have read center and right like the manual shows, but them i have seen a lot of people say its needs to be center and left, which is it?

I have read about some "dial a jet" here on the forums were to you get them and are thy worth it?
Most of the places to ride around here is about 2200ft to 3000ft and if i go Mt. Hood its looks like 2500ft to 6000ft
I am guess have to adjust the carbs on the field to factor in the temp and elevation?
I know its running pretty rich with a main jet of 135 at 40deg and 150ft.

It looks like i need a new ski i notices a crack about 6" long right were it mount to the shocks. Can i have this welded and maybe get some plastic covers or should i starting looking for some replacements?
and if replacements are in order what should i replace them with?

Thanks again for everyone's help, i cant wait to hit the trails and see what it can do, it would be my first time sledding
 
I would think, one want to break it in before doing a compression test.
Don't you want to rings do seat and break in first?
 
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