ATVs are meant to be ridden, not sit in a mechanic’s garage, collecting dust while waiting for endless repairs. That’s why many ATV enthusiasts take matters into their own hands and learn to handle ATV repairs and maintenance for themselves.

Read on to learn more about some of the most common ATV repairs and how to tackle them, so that you can get back out there and ride!

An Introduction to ATV Repair

If your ATV is in need of repair, you have several options. You can go the DIY-route, hire a mechanic, or in more extreme cases when lots of repairs are needed, replace your damaged ATV with a new one.

Handling the repairs on your own can definitely save you money, but you’ll need the right ATV parts, knowledge, and tools in your toolbelt in order to do so. For many avid ATV riders (like us!), learning and attempting ATV repairs becomes a fun and challenging hobby in and of itself, rather than a chore. That being said, knowing your limits and when it’s better to leave the repairs to the professionals is important and can save you time, money, and a headache.

No matter what kind of ATV repair you need to tackle, referring to your owner’s manual is a good first step. For more complicated repairs, you can ask your ATV dealer for a complete service manual or contact their maintenance department with questions.

Some basic ATV repairs and maintenance, like oil changes or air filter changes, are quite easy to master and can save you lots of money in the long run. For example, you can buy a new ATV air filter for just $20-25 or so, while going into the mechanic for a tune-up can cost you a couple hundred dollars.

In the sections below, we’ll dive into some of the most common types of ATV repairs and share tips to help you get the job done right the first time around.

ATV Tire Repair

If one of your ATV tires is damaged, you’ll have to carefully consider whether to repair or replace it. Not all ATV tire punctures can be repaired, and in most cases, patching up puncture is just a short-term solution. For example, deeper punctures of 3/16” or deeper cannot be repaired, because the structural damage is too great. If you do decide to repair your tire, you will need to do so on the inside and outside of the tire. To make things easier, you can buy an ATV tire repair kit online with all the materials you need to plug and patch up an ATV tire on your own.

At some point, as with any vehicle, your ATV tires will need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear. Factors like where you’re riding, how you’re riding, and what type of tires you have will affect how often you need to replace your ATV tires. There are also special types of tires for different terrain, like mud tires or sand tires, that you may choose to buy at any given time, just for kicks.

ATV Seat Repair

Over time, with constant exposure to the elements, your ATV seat will also start to show signs of wear and tear. It may start to fade, crack, and/or tear. Fortunately, if the seat damage and tears aren’t too serious, this is a quick and easy repair. All you need to do is stitch or patch up any tears and buy a new ATV seat cover to put over the top, and your ATV seat will look as good as new! Some people even just duct tape the seat before placing a cover on top.

Alternatively, you can opt to completely reupholster your ATV seat. This might be needed if the seat has significant tears that would be difficult to patch up.

To prevent this kind of seat damage from happening in the first place, you can invest in an ATV seat protector In addition to protecting your seat, they can make riding more comfortable and help keep your seat cool.

ATV Plastic Repair

Replacing plastic body parts of your ATV can quickly get expensive. Luckily, there are things you can do to try to salvage faded, scratched, or broken plastic ATV body parts.

If you want to fix faded plastic parts, you have several options. You can sand down to a new layer of plastic and buff it out to make it look new, but this weakens the plastic and can lead to more damage later on. Another option is to use a heat gun, which brings the oil in the plastic to the surface, but this also weakens the plastic. A third option is to buy a plastic restoration kit online, which adds additives to the plastic and makes it look new again, without weakening the structure.

When it comes to dealing with scratches, minor scratches can simply be sanded down and then treated with a plastic restorer. For deeper scratches, you can use a plastic bonder or filler before sanding down and finishing it off.

For more significant damage, such as cracks in the plastic, there are ATV welder kits out there that are specially designed for DIY-use. It’s important to note, however, that the exact repair solution you use will largely depend on the type of plastic material the body part you’re repairing is made of.

Once the welding is complete, you can paint the plastic to hide the eyesore and make your ATV look brand-new. The key to successfully painting ATV plastic is proper prep! Cleaning and sanding the plastic beforehand will make a world of difference. Also, you’ll need to make sure you buy the right kind of cleaner, primer, paint, finish, and sealer. 

ATV Fender Repair

Front and rear ATV fenders often take a beating in the event of a crash or collision. You can deal with fender damage much like you’d deal with any other damage to plastic ATV body parts (which we outlined in the section above).

Generally, using plastic welders and other ATV fender repair kits will work in the short to medium-term, but won’t hold things together forever. That’s why, if the damage is significant, it might be better to replace your ATV fender rather than attempt to repair it.

ATV Engine Repair

ATV engine repairs, rebuilds, and replacements are more costly and complex than other types of repairs. Because so many different parts make up the engine system, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact problem. Referring to your owner’s manual is a great place to start.

If your ATV engine is not starting and you want to troubleshoot on your own, first check on your battery with a multimeter to rule out the need for a battery replacement. If the battery isn’t the issue, you’ll want to check on whether the engine is getting enough gas and spark. If the engine isn’t getting enough spark, it might be time to replace your spark plugs, or there could be a bigger, underlying problem at play. If the engine isn’t getting enough gas, you should check on your fuel pump and filter. If that’s not the source of the problem, you’ll have to dig deeper and check on the carburetor and injectors.

If you’re able to determine the root of your ATV engine trouble on your own, you can definitely save money by buying ATV engine parts and accessories online rather than going into a mechanic.

Lower Your Repair Costs with Regular ATV Maintenance

Regular ATV maintenance can help prevent the need for more significant, costly, and complex repairs or replacements down the line. Here are a few things you can do to keep your ATV running smoothly:

• Follow the recommended break-in procedures in your owner’s manual and don’t cut corners!
• Check and change the oil frequently and according to your owner’s manual recommendations.
• Maintain a clean and dry air filter.
• Keep your ATV clean to prevent rust and wear. Too much dirt and grime can also affect your engine’s performance over time.
• Check your CV belt regularly.
• Treat your gas to avoid fuel system failure.
• Monitor your tire pressure and carry a spare tire.
• Keep an eye on your coolant level.

If you do all of these things regularly, you’ll protect your investment and maximize the lifespan of your ATV. 

We Have All the Parts You Need for Your ATV Repair!

No matter what kind of ATV repair you’re working on, we’re here to support you! We carry all the ATV parts and accessories you’ll need to get things back up and running smoothly. We partner with the best manufacturers and stand behind each and every product and brand we carry, so that you can ride with maximum confidence.