Hard starting engine? - Page 4 - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

NWSledder · 12-16-2011, 12:57 PM

Hi, I'm having several related or unrelated problems with my 1983 Indy Trail 440.

1. From a cold start I'm not able to start the sled up at all anymore without pulling the plugs and adding fuel to the cylinder, Once it is "warm" i'm able to start it no problem.

2. After I've run the sled on the trail for awhile, 20-30 minutes... one side of the engine seems to stall, sputter and spurt, and shortly there after both sides stall. I'm stuck however far I made it. Once i let it set and cool for about half an hr, i can restart and go for awhile again. (trying to get back to the truck)

I originally thought it was the CDI, because when the engine stalls in the field it doesn't seem to have any spark. But after reading here on the forums, it sounds like that could just be caused by the flooding AFTER it stalls. I carry multiple sets of plugs and swap them out all the time, doesn't seem to make a lot of difference. The symptoms sound really similar to what other people have posted about. Can you confirm that the probable cause is the carbs and need to completely clean/rebuild both carbs? (the right one seems to be worse then left).

Also if anyone has any manuals or reference material that would be awesome too, since it is so old i'm having trouble tracking down any info.

Thanks

Old Man · 12-16-2011, 03:36 PM

Sounds like you have several problems. First, the cold starting problem is probably caused by a non functioning enrichment circuit (people commonly call this the choke, but a choke restricts air, an enrichment circuit adds extra fuel) in the carbs, and/or clogged pilot jets in the carbs (responsible for supplying fuel from 0 to 1/4 throttle). A complete cleaning of the carbs is in order paying special attention to the pilot jets and a definitely check the function of the enrichment circuit. The loss of spark after 20 to 30 minutes of operation, sounds like a coil problem, as the coils heat up they breakdown and cease functioning. Check the following links out. They may have the information you're looking for in the form of service manuals

http://www.vintagesnow.com/Polaris.html

http://www.vintagesnow.com/Polaris_f...arberation.pdf

lmassy · 12-30-2011, 03:30 PM

Wow, what a difference. I cleaned my carbs with a wire and drained the crank. It starts with just 2 or 3 pulls now. I am also shutting of the gas and letting it run for 30 seconds with the gas off before turning it of now. But, if all that gas was in the crank, do I need to add oil to the crankcase?

**RJ Gleason** · 12-30-2011, 11:57 PM

Two stroke engine = no oil in crank case.
It is injected into it by a pump.
That is why there is a tank for oil.

richb8612 · 03-17-2013, 01:25 PM

i have a 93 formula 600 that ran great for a couple months. During the middle of a trip shut it off and couldn't get it to restart-towed it in and took it into the shop. The mechanic said I had a loose wire on secondary coil and a dirty carb. Two days later took it out and after an hour of riding shut it off and same issue. Couldn't restart. Took it back in and my mechanic can't figure it out. He can start it and get it to run but as soon as it shuts off he has same problems I have. He is pulling his hair out. The plugs show 2 cycle glean but he has to use compressor to dry cylinders before we can get it running again. Any ideas?