what do you do if your snowmobile wont start

What To Do If Your Snowmobile Won’t Start

• Fixing Fuel-Related Issues If there is a blockage in the fuel lines, then fixing it is easy. ...
• Change the Oil Just like changing the oil in a car is essential, changing the oil in your snowmobile is also very important. ...
• Fix the Spark Plug Most of the time, the spark plug damage is responsible for not starting your snowmobile. ...
• Fix the Cylinders and Gasket ...

Full Answer

Why is my snowmobile not starting up?

If your snowmobile won’t start or accelerate, it’s usually because of fouled spark plugs, fuel or carb issues, or perhaps a flooded engine. If your snowmobile has a battery, its failure, or a bad starter could also be why your sled won’t start.

How do you fix a flooded snowmobile engine?

To fix a flooded snowmobile engine remove the spark plugs and crank the engine a couple of times. If it’s flooded, you will probably see a mist coming out from the plug holes. Dry and replace the spark plugs and try starting the engine. If gas has leaked into the crankcase, it can cause a hydrostatic lock.

How do you start a snowmobile with an electric start?

How do You Start a Snowmobile with an Electric Start? If your sled features an electric start, you can start it in eight simple steps: Many sleds come with a handlebar-mounted START button, while on others you have to turn the ignition key to start the engine.

How many pulls should it take to start a snowmobile?

The steps for properly starting a pull-start sled are as follows: How Many Pulls Should It Take to Start a Snowmobile? As a rule of thumb, a snowmobile should start with 1 to 4 pulls. If the engine is warm, the majority of sleds start on the first pull. However, with a cold engine, you can expect it to take 2-4 pulls.

How do you start a snowmobile that has been sitting?

How to Start a Snowmobile After SittingDrain fuel/replace fuel lines if needed.Inspect carbs: remove and clean.Check spark plugs: replace if needed.Oil the cylinders.Replace filters.Check airbox and exhaust for animals.Start it, slowly.

Where do you spray starting fluid on a snowmobile?

Spray it into the carburetor intake and turn the engine. It should start at least momentarily. If it shuts off after burning off the starting fluid, it means you're not getting enough gas coming in. if this happens a few times, your carburetor probably needs to be cleaned.

Why is my snowmobile not getting spark?

Disconnect the main electrical connector coming out of the engine, and then check for spark again. This unhooks the kill switch, ignition switch and wiring for those switches. If the spark improves, the problem is within wiring from one of those switches or a switch itself is to blame.

How do you tell if a snowmobile is flooded?

1:083:20How to start a flooded snowmobile, PowerModz! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you flooded your sled you see gas underneath. Coming out the exhaust.MoreSo you flooded your sled you see gas underneath. Coming out the exhaust.

What works instead of starting fluid?

As discussed you can use carby (carburetor) spray as an alternative to starting fluid. We do recommend specific engine starting spray when available as the pressure is lower and the nozzle on the can creates more of a mist.

How do you start a 2 stroke snowmobile?

1:122:11How To Properly Prepare and Start A Snowmobile With Yamaha - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe kill switch is the throttle this lever delegates your speed. Now that you have an understandingMoreThe kill switch is the throttle this lever delegates your speed. Now that you have an understanding of the controls of your snowmobile. You need to learn how to start it after ensuring.

How do I know if my snowmobile fuel pump is bad?

One of the biggest signs your snowmobile has a bad fuel pump is when you routinely lose power whether you're climbing a hill or going at high speed. In many cases, lost power is actually a sign of another problem such as an engine issue or a pinched fuel line.

How do you check snowmobile spark plugs?

0:453:01SKS Spark Plug Inspection and Replacement - Polaris SnowmobilesYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNext remove the spark plug wrench from the spark plug. Holder then loosen the two spark plugs andMoreNext remove the spark plug wrench from the spark plug. Holder then loosen the two spark plugs and remove from the vehicle. Inspect the electrodes for wear and carbon buildup.

How do you start a pull start snowmobile?

0:102:17How to Emergency Pull-start a Ski-Doo - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut your hand inside against the clutch cover push it backwards. And then out to remove the coverMorePut your hand inside against the clutch cover push it backwards. And then out to remove the cover remember to put the pin back in so you don't lose it in the snow.

How do you start a flooded 2 stroke?

0:417:02HOW-TO Quickly Un-flood An Engine! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe throttle wide open and then pull it over until it finally starts. This simple method of turningMoreThe throttle wide open and then pull it over until it finally starts. This simple method of turning the choke off and holding the throttle.

What causes snowmobile engine to flood?

Flooded Engine A sled can flood if the engine is over-primed or over-choked. One way to correct this problem is to simply give it time. Let any extra fuel evaporate for about 20 minutes before restarting. You can also attempt to dry the spark plugs on your own if you don't want to wait.

How do you start a flooded engine?

How to Start an Engine After it is Flooded? Perhaps the best remedy for a flooded engine is time. Simply open the hood of your car and let excessive fuel evaporate for as long as you can. After about 20 minutes try starting your car again without hitting the gas pedal.

How do you test a snowmobile ignition coil?

0:435:10How to Test External Ignition Coils for Motorcycle, ATV, UTV, Snowmobile ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBetween the terminal or the wire. And ground or the mounting bar that runs through it so you can seeMoreBetween the terminal or the wire. And ground or the mounting bar that runs through it so you can see there's a metal bar that goes through the center of the coil.

How do you test a snowmobile stator?

1:3018:17How to Test Stators for Motorcycle, ATV, UTV, Snowmobile ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf I look up the specs for it is should measure about 0.4 0.5 ohms and that's between the two leadsMoreIf I look up the specs for it is should measure about 0.4 0.5 ohms and that's between the two leads from the stator. So here I have my multimeter connected to the two leads from the stator.

How is weak spark diagnosed?

The proper method to check for spark is with a spark tester. It resembles a spark plug but has a sunken center electrode that simulates a load on the coil. Holding the plug wire and seeing if a spark jumps to ground is inconclusive. The spark is arcing in atmospheric pressure.

What could cause a weak spark?

If you have a weak spark, you may be dealing with a: bad spark plug wire. bad distributor cap or rotor. faulty ignition wire or coil.

Why won't my snowmobile start?

If your snowmobile won’t start or accelerate, it’s usually because of fouled spark plugs, fuel or carb issues, or perhaps a flooded engine . If your snowmobile has a battery, its failure, or a bad starter could also be why your sled won’t start.

Why is My Snowmobile Not Accelerating Properly?

If your snowmobile won’t accelerate properly, it may be caused by one of these problems:

How to tell if a snowmobile is running lean?

Best practice for determining whether your sled is running lean or not is to check the color of the spark plugs. Remove them and check their colors. If they are a nice tan in color this means the mixture is right, but if they are white, your snowmobile is running lean. On the other hand, if the plugs are black this is a clue that your sled is running too rich.

How many RPMs should a snowmobile run?

Snowmobiles should idle around 1000-2000 RPMs depending on the make and model. As a rule of thumb, the average snowmobile idles around 1500 RPMs. Keep in mind that the idle RPM depends on many factors like the altitude, ambient temperature, and the temperature of the engine. You should expect higher idle RPMs on crisp days and lower RPMs on warm days.

How to fix a snowmobile engine that is flooded?

To fix a flooded snowmobile engine remove the spark plugs and crank the engine a couple of times. If it’s flooded, you will probably see a mist coming out from the plug holes. Dry and replace the spark plugs and try starting the engine. If gas has leaked into the crankcase, it can cause a hydrostatic lock. To eliminate this, remove the plugs, which can be found on the bottom of the crankcase. (Make sure you remove the right plugs!)

Why is my snowmobile not sparking?

If your snowmobile has no spark at all, the cause could be many issues. Sometimes the plugs are just wrong and need to be replaced. If this won’t help, check the wires and the spark plug caps, as they are also prone to breaking. If they look good, it may be a problem with the stator or other parts of the electric system.

What to do if your snowmobile floods?

If your snowmobile floods too quickly, this probably means that you need to clean or even rebuild the carburetor. For further steps please refer to the owner’s manual or take your sled to the dealer.

Why won't my snowmobile start?

Moving away from cylinders now, another reason your snowmobile might not start is because of bad spark plugs . Without spark plugs, your snowmobile lacks the internal combustion that kickstarts the engine. Even one or two bad spark plugs could be enough to prevent your snowmobile from starting.

What parts of a snowmobile cylinder prevent it from starting?

A whole handful of cylinder parts can degrade or fail, all preventing your snowmobile from starting. These are the reed valve, crank seal, and piston rings. Let’s cover each component in more detail now.

What is the gasket on a snowmobile?

This gasket separates the cylinder head and the engine block if your snowmobile has an internal combustion engine , which is overwhelmingly common.

How to tell if a snowmobile head gasket is done?

Your snowmobile will overheat more often as the combustible gases and coolant mix regularly . Any lubricant you add to your sled’s internal components will erode fast because the head gasket seals are broken.

How much do spark plugs cost on a sled?

Does your sled start? If so, then great. If not, then you probably need new spark plugs. You can get plugs for less than $10 each, so if they all went bad, don’t panic.

How to check if a sled is too low?

Pull the throttle open to allow optimal airflow into the cylinder. Then test. If your cylinder compression is 110 PSI, it’s too low. Once you hit 100 PSI, your sled probably won’t turn on.

Can snowmobile head gaskets wear down?

Gaskets, like any part of your snowmobile, can wear down with time or misuse . The longer your sled’s head gasket goes without a repair and ideally a replacement, the worse the outcome for your snowmobile.

Why won't my spark plug start after replacing plugs?

If you’re not getting a spark and it still doesn’t start after replacing the plugs, then you likely have an electrical problem. This could come down to a number of problems that are outside the scope of this article, but you can start with a visual inspection of all the wiring and caps looking for deterioration or oxidation.

Why does my carburetor shut off after burning off the starter fluid?

If it shuts off after burning off the starting fluid, it means you’re not getting enough gas coming in. if this happens a few times, your carburetor probably needs to be cleaned. It’ll probably take a good tear down and rebuild to clean it well and get it back into working condition.

How to check spark plugs on a car?

Testing the spark plugs is a pretty simple process. Take out the spark plug and plug it into its cap and ground the plug on the engine. So any part of the plug threading should be touching an exposed part of the engine. Then, turn the engine over.

What happens if an engine sits too long?

If any engine sits for too long, it will dry up and that will make it more difficult to start again. To check if this is a problem, get some starting fluid. (*Always be sure to follow manufacturer’s recommendations when doing this.)

What happens if you don't get enough compression in your cylinders?

If you’re not getting enough compression in your cylinders, the gas/air mixture isn’t reaching optimal conditions to ignite. This problem could be quite complicated to resolve, so you should be absolutely sure that none of the other issues are present.

How to start a snowmobile when it's flooded?

If you’ve also flooded your sled, just engage the parking brake, hold the throttle wide open and pull the cord until the engine starts. If this trick doesn’t help, you can still try to start a flooded snowmobile by following these simple steps:

Why is it so hard to pull a snowmobile?

It’s safe to say that the most common reason why it’s hard to pull-start a snowmobile is the low external temperature.

Why do snowmobiles need a choke?

This is because if a 2-stroke snowmobile engine is cold, it needs a richer mixture to start . To make the mixture richer, these sleds are equipped with a primer or a choke, depending on the model.

What is the choke on a snowmobile?

The choke on a snowmobile does the same job as the primer, but it works differently. In a nutshell, to make the mixture richer, the choke restricts the airflow into the carburetor.

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How many pulls does a snowmobile take?

As a rule of thumb, a snowmobile should start with 1 to 4 pulls. If the engine is warm, the majority of sleds start on the first pull. However, with a cold engine, you can expect it to take 2-4 pulls.

How to start a snowmobile with recoil brakes?

If the recoil brakes on a snowmobile, you can still start it with the primary clutch. Just wrap the emergency rope around the primary and pull the cord.