All combustion engines need air, fuel, and ignition to work. While the engine is running, you know it makes sparks or flames from the exhaust. You can see those sparks at night. If your ATV has a backfiring issue, you will know it for sure. I wrote an article about “Why does ATV backfire?”. You can read the article here and fix your ATV quickly.
Back to the topic, these sparks can be a reason for fire or wildfire cases. In a typical environment, an engine spark will take 3000F. Do you know Dry grasses can get on fire quickly at 400F? So, there is a pretty big chance of making fire by the spark from the ATV engine.
What is a USFS-approved spark arrestor? According to state (PRC 4442) and federal law (CFR 261.52(j)), every combustion engine vehicle needs to install a US forest service approved spark arrestor.
Back in the 80s, people used ATVs to ride in the forests for fun. When this trip becomes more popular, many people come to the forests to ride their ATVs. It causes wildfires in the forests and mostly in southern California forests. So the united states started the US forest service to solve the problem. They make the rule. Now ATVs must install spark arrestors to stop this wildfire. When riding on a public road or property, a spark arrestor is essential to your ATV. It is a rule in the US and most countries. Otherwise, it will prevent unexpected fire situations.
In this article, I will cover all information you want about ATV spark arrestors. Let’s Drive-in.
What is an ATV spark arrestor?
The spark arrestor is a steel screen filter that looks corn-shaped with a woven steel wire net. What does a spark arrestor do on an ATV? It works like an air filter to stop solid particles on the exhaust stream and stop sparks coming from the tailpipe. The spark arrestor is located at the end of the exhaust system. Did you know that the Spark arrestor resists combustible particles? Mainly, There is 3 type of spark arrestors.
- Supertrapp
- Centrifugal
- Krizman
As I mention, Spark arrestors need for all combustion engine vehicles. In our case, ATVs come in two strokes and four strokes. In these two types, two-stroke ATVs will have more chance to make a spark than four-stroke ATVs. So, if your ATV is two-stroke, install a spark arrestor. You can ride your ATV without a spark arrestor on your privet lands, but when you go to the public road, you need to install it to your exhaust system.
Do ATVs come with spark arrestors?
The new ATV will have spark arrestors based on the model and price range. You can check it from the ATV manual if you get a brand-new ATV. Most ATVs now have stickers if they have Spark arrestors. Take a look at the exhaust pipe. If you see a mesh metal panel, your ATV has one.
If your ATV is old, you need to check it, as I describe above, or you can insert a screwdriver slowly to check for a mesh cover; if your ATV doesn’t have one, don’t worry. Most ATV models will fit to spark arrestor, and some mufflers will not fit. In most cases, with some screws, you can fit it into the muffler. If it’s not fit into the default screws holes, you can make new holes with a drill.
Do spark arrestors affect your ATV’s performance?
If your ATV exhaust blocks somehow, it can affect the engine performance. After installing the spark arrestor, it will not block all the way, but it will cover with the metal mesh net. So it will block a little bit of exhaust air outflow. After installing a spark arrestor, your ATV exhaust note can be slightly low.
When you install it, it can be a reason for a misbalance fuel mixture ratio. An engine needs an air and fuel mixture to run. When the exhaust out gets covered, the air to Fuel ratio will change. Atv will get symptoms. I recommend following the spark arrestor manufacturer’s instructions and getting professional help the first time you do this yourself. Over time, the spark arrestor mesh can become clogged, affecting the engine performance directly.
So, make sure to maintain it with the instructions from the manufacturer. I do an excellent cleaning job for it every six months or after running 100hrs. If you own a two-stroke ATV, you should clean it after 15hrs – 20hrs running time because two-stroke engines make more carbon particles. They will clog faster than four-stroke engines.
How to clean the spark arrestor?
Suppose your ATV is losing power, not starting quickly, can’t stay idle, or has emergency engine shut-offs. In that case, it’s symptoms of a clogged spark arrestor. Atv and any combustion engine need clean intake and outlet to perform best. Spark arrestors can be reused. It’s fit to the muffler by bolts or by rivets. You can take a screwdriver or Allen key and remove it.
When it’s fixed with the rivets, be careful when disassembling. If you damage the spark arrestor, you must buy a new one. Take out the spark arrestor from the muffler. You can use fuel to dip the spark arrestor and take a brush and clean well. If clogged carbon particles have, you can use a blow torch. Burn it and remove it. Lastly, give some pressured air from a compressed air can. After cleaning, you can use some Loctite to place it. Use screws and fit them tight to the muffler. You are good to ride now.
The bottom line
Well, ATV spark arrestor is a protecting our environment. It prevents the chance of starting a wildfire by your ATV’s sparks. When you want to go on public roads in your ATV, there is a regulation. So keep it in your mind. Also, you can clean your spark arrestor and reuse it. As I mentioned in the article, clean it when it reaches the running time. Otherwise, keep your ATV clean. It will keep your machine healthy. I hope you get all answers to your quotations about spark arrestors. Thanks for the reading. Happy riding, Manual riders.
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