2006 ARIEL ATOM 2 engine

41

ADDING & CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT CONTINUED
7. Once the engine has been shut down, squeeze the coolant hose above the transaxle repeatedly for a while
and watch for air bubbles to enter the coolant exchange tank.
8. Add more coolant as you are able to coax air bubbl es out of the coolant hose.
9. Repeat this startup / shutdown procedure as many ti mes as necessary until the bubbles cease, and the
upper hose is hot to the touch.

At some point in this process, the engine will “burp”, a nd the coolant gauge will begin to read properly. When
you are certain that this has occurred:
10. Release the pressure
VERY SLOWLY
at the tank.
11. Fill the tank again to the center seam level.
12. Check the copper air bleed fitting at the radiator to be sure the radiator is full.
13. Tighten everything up.
14. Run the engine until the fan turns on, off, then on again.
15. Switch off engine and allow it to cool completely.
16. Fill the tank to its proper level for the last ti me.

For vehicles with GM engines, the aftercooler fill locat ion is accessed by moving the seats to their forward mos t
position. In the center of the engine bulkhead is a tr iangular cover secured by Philips head screws. Removing
these screws reveals a semi-transparent port with a thre aded cap.


NOTE: Honda engines do not require an aftercooler coolant .

43

TRANSMISSION OIL
GM Engines
The transaxle fill/level indicator plug for the GM engine is on the left side of the car, just behind the axle. Due to
the angle of the engine/transaxle assembly, the proper fluid level of the transaxle is about 1 in. (25.4 mm)
below the level indicator plug. The drain fitting i s identical to the fill plug and is located below the l eft axle. Both
plugs require the use of an 8mm hex wrench to remove o r install.

Honda Engines
The transaxle fill/level indicator plug for the Honda engine is on the left side of the car, just behind the axle.
Due to the angle of the engine/transaxle assembly, the proper fluid level of the transaxle is approximately
1 in. (25.4 mm) below the level indicator plug
. The drain plug is located below the left axle. Use a 17mm
wrench to remove the fill plug, and use a 3/8 in. sq uare drive to remove the drain plug.

45

AIR FILTER REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
For vehicles with Honda engines, or GM engines with corrugated intakes, follow these directions:

To service the K&N air filter, the rear airbox cover m ust be removed. Remove the four 1/4 turn fasteners
holding the airbox cover to the engine cover and remo ve the body panel. Remove the three fasteners securing
the intake snorkel assembly, and you will find the air filter under it. The intake snorkel should rotate forward
within the roll bar to allow you access to the filter. Reverse this procedure to reinstall the air filter noti ng that the
K&N only fits in the snorkel one way.

46

AIR FILTER REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (PLASTIC INTAKE)

If your car is equipped with a GM engine that was purch ased after November 2006, it may have a plastic intake
and require one additional step for removal.
Follow the previous instructions, and then remove the a ir filter retaining clip after the snorkel is removed. This
step will not require any tools.



NOTE: The Filtercharger® element must be cleaned and serviced with K&N cleaner and air filter oil per the
prescribed routine maintenance procedures as outlined in the product literature that accompanies the
Filtercharger®. For additional information, refer t o the K&N “Helpful Hints” document in your Owner’s Packet .

54

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE ARIEL ATOM 2

SCHEDULE I: GENERAL REFERENCE

Component Service/Operation
Engine Oil
Check before every track event or every 1,000 miles (1,600 km). Change as necessary. Engine Oil Filter
Replace during every oil change. Engine Coolant
Check before every track event. Replace every 30,0 00 miles (48,000 km). Supercharger
Aftercooler Coolant Check before every track event. Replace every 30,0
00 miles (48,000 km). Air Filter Check before every track event. Clean and oil ever
y 5,000 miles (8,000 km). The Filtercharger®
element must be cleaned and serviced with K&N clean er and air filter oil per the prescribed routine
maintenance procedures as outlined in the product l iterature that accompanies the Filtercharger®. Spark Plugs
Inspect before every track event and change if nece ssary. Transmission Fluid
Inspect for leaks before every track event; change every 10,000 miles (16,000 km). Brake Fluid
Inspect levels, condition, and any leakage before e very track event. Brake Rotors Replace when thickness decreases to 19mm, when puls
ation is noted, or if cracking or other physical
damage is found during inspection. Refer to the br ake bedding procedures on page12. Brake Pads Inspect for pad damage, thickness issues or deterio
ration before every event. Replace brake pads
when brake rotors are replaced. Refer to the brake bedding procedures on page12. Brake Hoses &
Lines Inspect brake lines for rubbing, scraping, or any d
amage. Fuel Lines &
Connections Inspect lines for rubbing or scraping before every
track event. Exhaust System Use a wrench to inspect flange bolts for tightness
every 5,000 miles (8,000 km), check gaskets at
this time. Tires
Inspect tires for proper pressure and tread wear be fore and after every track event. Wheels Check wheel nut torque after the first 50 miles (80
km) of operation and before every track event
thereafter. Ensure lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs. Drive Belt
Check belt for cracking or abnormal wear every 3,00 0 miles (4,800 km). Rod Ends Inspect rods ends on Push Rods, Steering Rods, and
A-Arms for any signs of fatiguing or wear,
replace if parts appear worn. Verify that all chec k nuts are tight on all rod ends.

55

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE ARIEL ATOM 2

SCHEDULE II: BEFORE EVERY TRACK EVENT
Component Service/Operation
Engine Oil
Check before every track event. Change as necessar y. Engine Oil Filter
Replace during every oil change. Engine Coolant
Check before every track event. Supercharger
Aftercooler Coolant Check before every track event.
Air Filter
Check before every track event. Spark Plugs
Inspect before every track event and change if nece ssary. Transmission Fluid
Inspect for leaks before every track event. Brake Fluid
Inspect levels, condition, and any leakage before e very track event. Brake Rotors Refer to the Brake Bedding Procedures on page12. I
nspect and replace when thickness decreases
to 19mm, when pulsation is noted, or if cracking or other physical damage is found during inspection.

Brake Pads Inspect for pad damage, thickness issues or deterio
ration. Replace brake pads when brake rotors
are replaced. Refer to the brake bedding procedure s on page12. Brake Hoses &
Lines Inspect brake lines for rubbing, scraping, or any d
amage. Fuel Lines &
Connections Inspect lines for rubbing or scraping before every
track event. Exhaust System
Visually inspect exhaust flange bolts for tightness and/or damage. Tires
Inspect tires for proper pressure and tread wear be fore and after every track event. Wheels
Ensure lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs. Drive Belt
Check for abnormal wear. Rod Ends Inspect rods ends on Push Rods, Steering Rods, and
A-Arms for any signs of fatiguing or wear,
replace if parts appear worn. Verify that all chec k nuts are tight on all rod ends.

56

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE ARIEL ATOM 2

SCHEDULE III: INITIAL 50 MILES (80 KM)
Component Service/Operation
Engine Oil
Check and fill as necessary. Engine Oil Filter
No service required. Engine Coolant
Check and fill as necessary. Supercharger
Aftercooler Coolant Check and fill as necessary.
Air Filter
No service required. Spark Plugs
No service required. Transmission Fluid
No service required. Brake Fluid
Check level. Fill as necessary. Brake Rotors
Refer to the brake bedding procedures on page12. Brake Pads
Refer to the brake bedding procedures on page12. Brake Hoses &
Lines Inspect brake lines for rubbing, scraping, or any d
amage. Fuel Lines &
Connections Inspect for damage.
Exhaust System Visually inspect exhaust flange bolts for tightness
and/or damage, check gaskets visually to ensure
they have not developed a leak. Tires
Inspect for any unusual tread wear. Wheels
Ensure lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs. Drive Belt
Check for abnormal wear. Rod Ends Inspect rods ends on Push Rods, Steering Rods, and
A-Arms for any signs of fatiguing or wear,
replace if parts appear worn. Verify that all chec k nuts are tight on all rod ends. We recommend
replacement of all suspension rod ends at 3000mi or sooner based upon driving habits.

57

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE ARIEL ATOM 2

SCHEDULE IV: INITIAL 300 MILES (480 KM)
Component Service/Operation
Engine Oil
Check and fill as necessary. Engine Filter
No service required. Engine Coolant
Check and fill as necessary. Supercharger
Aftercooler Coolant Check and fill as necessary.
Air Filter
No service required. Spark Plugs
Inspect before every track event and change if nece ssary. Transmission Fluid
No service required. Brake Fluid
Check level; fill as required. Brake Rotors Inspect and replace when thickness decreases to 19m
m, when pulsation is noted, or if cracking or
other physical damage is found during inspection. Brake Pads Inspect for pad damage, thickness issues or deterio
ration. Replace brake pads when brake rotors
are replaced. Brake Hoses &
Lines Inspect brake lines for rubbing, scraping, or any d
amage. Fuel Lines &
Connections Inspect for damage.
Exhaust System Visually inspect exhaust flange bolts for tightness
and/or damage, check gaskets visually to ensure
they have not developed a leak. Tires
Inspect for any unusual tread wear. Wheels
Ensure lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs. Drive Belt
Check for abnormal wear. Rod Ends Inspect rods ends on Push Rods, Steering Rods, and
A-Arms for any signs of fatiguing or wear,
replace if parts appear worn. Verify that all chec k nuts are tight on all rod ends. We recommend
replacement of all suspension rod ends at 3000mi or sooner based upon driving habits.