Hudson

As much as i love talking to you guys, i wish i wasn't right now.

Snowmobile is turning into a huge headache. Might just try to sell it once i can get it running. Really hate to do it, but my god, it's a constant battle with it.

Anyways, here's the story. Snowmobile is running fine. All of a sudden it bogs down going up a small hill. Won't regain power no matter how much throttle i give it, finally manage to get it to the top of the hill, and when i let off the throttle it dies out.

I let it sit for like two hours, and i go to restart it. Fires up like 5th pull, idles for ~10 seconds, i go to throttle it, and BAM backfire. The snow around where the exhaust comes out goes flying.

I then proceed to try to restart it, but it now will not start. It backfires like every 5th pull or so, and doesn't even sound like it wants to turn over.

I thought that when i removed the recoil that maybe something made a nest in the exhaust, so i removed the exhaust. Sled still won't start with no exhaust. I'm totally confused, and getting really irritated with it.

Once again, thanks for reading this, and taking the time to help me out.

BobK.

Well we know one thing if the snow flies around the exhaust when it back fires you got to much gas left over and your back firing through the exhaust first thing id do is pull the plugs that are rich and put some fresh ones in and see if that helps possibly post a pic of your old plugs? If that doesnt or didnt help id start looking into electrical stators will act up once they warm up

kccats

OK First what sled is this? Have you done a compression test? Cleaned the carbs and clutches?

Hudson

1999 Artic Cat ZR700.

Have not done a compression test, and i have not cleaned the carbs or the clutches.

PO said he cleaned the carbs right before he sold it to me and he's a pretty reputable guy. (forum member as well.)

kccats

Well if is better when it cools down, it could be a stator or external coil?

Hudson

Here is a video of my issue.

The sled started after 2 pulls right before i started recorded, and it ran for about 5 seconds then died.

Then this happened;

1999 Artic Cat ZR700 Issue. - YouTube

Hudson

Well, i've got some terrible news. Just dragged the sled into the garage to do a compression test on it. Each cylinder is around 90PSI. Should be near 120+ i believe.

I don't even know what this means, but i know it isn't good. I know the engine most likely needs a rebuild, and that is far far out of my capability.

I think my best bet is parting it out to try to get my money back for it. I'm $900 in, think i could come close to breaking even? Even a 200 loss is a win for me at this point.

Only did a dry test, didn't do a wet test.

Hudson

Well for some reason i can't edit my previous post. I just redid the compression test. This time i took each plugs out, and left one out when i tested the other cylinder. Held the throttle wide open and pulled the rope 3 fast times and that was it. She hit about 72 PSI as the pictures show.

RJ Gleason

If you pulled it more, would the gauge keep rising or was that it anyway?
Just a top end on that would not be difficult or too expensive and would get that compression back up to 140+ where it should be.
At the very least, rings and base gasket and Orings for the heads, you should be able to do it for between $150 - $200.

__________________
Old Cat Rider
'93 Wildcat 700EFI
w/ Comet 108 Pro-4 clutch & 01 ZR skid

'90 Wildcat Project in progress.

Vintage (sorta)
1980 Indy Trail 440 (for sale)
1980 AC Pantera (donor engine to the 90 wildcat)


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Rczr600rider

Replacing pistons and rings is not that difficult. It will set you back a couple hundred, but if the sled is in good shape otherwise it's worth it.

BobK.

Yea its simple i can walk you thru it pm me if you want my number and if you do part her out ill take the motor

kylerding

Just unscrew the bolts on the top, take the pin out of the piston and take it out and do the inverse to put it back. It will take a couple hours to do all three cylinders.

smokingcrater

Yank it more than three times... I'd go 6-9, basically just keep pulling as far as you can until the needle quits moving.

__________________
1) 2000 Arctic cat ZR 700, which now thinks it is a 2001 ZR 600 EFI APV w/136" ripsaw. (for sale!)
2) 1995 Yamaha VMAX 600, which now thinks it is a Polaris! (Polaris x10 suspension, Polaris P85 clutch) (for sale!)
3) 2004 Yamaha Warrior
4) 2006 Yamaha Nytro

Hudson

If i kept pulling it, it would top out right around 90. Where the first picture shows it.

I'm not sure if i want to spend 150-200$ on the sled. I originally bought it for 900$, and put about 100$ into it so far. I was actually trying to sell it, and then this happened.

I would be more than happy to come within 200 dollars of my original investment of 900.

How much do you think i would get for it if i were to part it out? What if i fixed it and sold it that way?

The hood mechanism is all messed up. Hood will not remain opened. Needs to be laid out on the ground if you want to look at the engine. It's also not factory color. Had to repaint it due to huge holes in the cowl.
Seat has a rip in it
Windshield wiper has a piece missing from it
Killswitch is broken.

Other than that, and the engine obviously, everything is good. Track, Skis, Carbides, Hyfax, all just about new.


I'm just not sure i want to spend that much on this sled.

As stated earlier, i'm not so sure i want to spend this much on the snowmobile. How much would you offer for the motor in its current condition?

It only has two cylinders. I just dont want to spend the money to fix it up unless i'll get it back when i sell it which i don't think i will.

It quits at about 90PSI no matter how much i pull it.

Once again, thanks for all the great help from everyone.