Cleaned the spark arresters and question on transmission maintenance.

[hillsideshortleg]

I tried searching for info on the effect of dirty spark arrestors on our 1992 400 EC with 489s. I didnt find much but during the install of cockpit heaters on each motor we cleaned the arrestors. It seems to have made a noticeable difference on fuel consumption. They were very dirty and I was a little disappointed they were allowed to get so dirty. Oil changes in the near future. Should I be looking at the transmissions also?

 

[stg099]

Refer to your service manual on your transmissions. On my ZF transmissions I change the fluid (Dexron ATF) and swap out the filters every 2 seasons based on hours. (I average between 30-40 hours a season). I pump out the fluid the same way I do with the engine oil, pretty straightforward process.

 

[Nater Potater]

I tried searching for info on the effect of dirty spark arrestors on our 1992 400 EC with 489s. I didnt find much but during the install of cockpit heaters on each motor we cleaned the arrestors. It seems to have made a noticeable difference on fuel consumption. They were very dirty and I was a little disappointed they were allowed to get so dirty.

Dirty spark arresters "shouldn't" cut into your fuel consumption as the reference port resides inside the same area as the throttle butterflys do, but I can't argue with results. I know on my boats, a dirty arrester will definitely mess with wide-open power output.

 

[dwna1a]

I pull mine and clean them with brake cleaner. You can soak them in PurpleStuff from Advance Auto, then rinse them and let dry