Alright, let me tell you about my run-in with getting my old four-wheeler sorted out, specifically over at Jones Power Sports.
So, I picked up this used ATV a while back. Got a decent deal, or so I thought. Needed it for hauling wood and just messing around on the back trails, you know? Seemed okay for the first few weeks. Started it up, it ran, life was good.
Then the problems started. First, this weird whining noise from the back end. Ignored it for a bit. Then it got real sluggish going uphill. Felt like it was gonna stall out. I’m okay with a wrench, so I spent a whole Saturday trying to figure it out. Changed the oil, checked the plug, cleaned the air filter – the usual stuff. Nothing. Still bogged down, still making that noise. Super frustrating, I tell ya. Had stuff I needed to get done with it.
Heading Over to Jones
Heard about Jones Power Sports from my neighbor, Dave. He gets his dirt bike serviced there. Said they were alright. Honestly, I hate taking stuff to shops. Always feels like it takes forever and costs an arm and a leg. But I was stuck. Couldn’t fix it myself and needed the thing running.
So, I loaded the ATV onto my trailer – which is a whole process in itself – and drove it over there. Dropped it off on a Tuesday morning. The guy at the counter seemed busy but took down my info. Explained the problem – the noise, the lack of power. He nodded, said they’d take a look and call me.
The Waiting Game and The Fix
Didn’t hear anything Wednesday. Called them Thursday afternoon. “Oh yeah, the tech’s looking at it now, should know something soon.” Classic shop talk, right? Felt like I was getting the runaround a bit.
Finally got a call Friday morning. Turned out the rear differential fluid was basically sludge, and one of the bearings was shot. That was the whining noise. And the carb needed a good cleaning and adjustment, which explained the power loss. Okay, at least they found something concrete.
- Rear differential service
- Replaced a bearing
- Carburetor clean and tune
The price wasn’t cheap, but it wasn’t totally insane either. About what I expected, maybe a little more. Told them to go ahead with the work. They said it’d be ready Monday.
Getting it Back
Went back Monday afternoon to pick it up. Paid the bill. They wheeled the ATV out. Started right up. Sounded better already, no more high-pitched whine. Took it home, unloaded it, and immediately took it up the big hill behind my house.
Big difference. It pulled strong, way better than before. Rode it around for an hour, hauling some branches, testing it out. Seems like they actually fixed the problems. Didn’t feel sluggish at all.
So yeah, that was my experience. It took a bit longer than I hoped, and cost money I didn’t really want to spend right then – you know how it is, something always comes up. But, end of the day, the ATV runs properly now, which is what I needed. They got the job done. Just the usual hassle of dealing with repairs, I guess. Better than having a busted four-wheeler sitting in the shed, useless.
