How to Clean the Rave Valves on a 1988 Ski-Doo Blizzard

Rave valves are mechanical components of a Ski-Doo Blizzard engine that increase the peak rpm as well as increase the horsepower output of the engine through the acceleration cycle--or increase horsepower output per piston revolution. At the beginning of the acceleration cycle, the valves remain closed. Depending on the settings of the valves, once the engine reaches a certain rpm, the valves close and give the engine a horsepower boost. Rave valves require cleaning every 50 hours.

Things You'll Need

  • Allen wrench set
  • 1/4-inch flat-head screwdriver
  • Degreasing spray
  • Rags
  • Grinder
  • Wire wheel attachment
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Instructions

    • 1
      Rave valves increase the power output of a snowmobile engine.

      Unthread the two Allen bolts located on the sides of the two rave valve housings. Pull the valves from the engine block. Remove the wire frames from the valve caps by popping them off the cap tabs.

    • 2

      Remove the caps. Slide the 1/4-inch screwdriver under the spring seated in the valves' bellows and remove the bellow. Remove the spring seated inside the valves' housings with the screwdriver by popping it out of the track.

    • 3

      Remove the rave from the housing. Spray the housings, the raves, the bellows and the springs with degreaser and wipe them clean with a rag. Grind the raves clean of carbon debris with the grinder and wire wheel.

    • 4

      Reassemble the valves by sliding the rave into the housing, putting the spring back in the housing, sliding the bellow over the arm of the rave, fitting the spring back in place on the bellow, putting the cap over the billow and rotating the wire frame back in place.