Stalling Out - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Goldeneyes · 12-23-2004, 10:00 PM

Hey everyone. I have a 1990 Ski-Doo Safari LXE with the dual carbs. It's ran great so far this year until tonight...I was going along, and then it just kind of slowly stalled on me.. Now it will fire and if i prime it and coax it it will stay on, but not take off. Since I don't know too much about carbs, I should mention the lines. There are a few that look like vent lines that don't carry fuel that are cracked.. Although they were cracked when the sled was running great as well. it also looks like there is air bubbles in the primer line. Is this normal?

I was out on the trails last week and went through a bit of mud, but it ran fine all the way back.
New spark plugs, new fuel, new oil..

Any ideas? Thanks everyone

-Stuart
(ontario, canada)

Goldeneyes · 12-23-2004, 11:05 PM

Just by reading around in this forum, I guess I should mention that the throttle cable on the oil pump looks like it's almost frayed right through. I can see how this would certainly cause a problem. Perhaps this has something to do with my issues?

YamahaVector · 12-23-2004, 11:10 PM

Do you use isopropyl dry gas. If not you could have ice in your lines. I always run dry gas. There is a lot of gas out there with water in it.

**smallengineguy** · 12-24-2004, 07:36 AM

Replace that oil cable ASAP! It comes as a complete assembly (throttle/oil cable).

Goldeneyes · 12-24-2004, 08:54 AM

Isopropyl dry gas? I used Ultra 94... I didn't realize it had 10% Ethanol in it. Perhaps that's the problem. Although it did seem to run fine the other day. What's the best way to drain the fuel system?

**smallengineguy** · 12-24-2004, 10:41 AM

Dry gas is a suplement you put in the tank to remove water from the fuel.Buy a bottle and put it in the tank. Also, Ultra 94 is way overkill for that machine, most machines really. Run 89 octane if possible.

Goldeneyes · 12-24-2004, 12:10 PM

Ya i figured 94 was too much.. Anyway there are some deteriorated vent hoses. I had a simliar problem with my outboard motor this summer and it turned out that hoses had put rubber up into the carb jets.

Last time I helped my buddy with his carbs, it stunk up the whole house cause we did it in the garage. Is there a good way I could drain all the fuel out of the carbs so I don't have gas everywhere?

Thanks very much for your quick responses!!

P.S. This sled should had 110-120PSI per piston right?

**smallengineguy** · 12-24-2004, 01:33 PM

Anything under 120 is considered "lower" compression, and will cause hard starting, plug fouling, etc. Under 100, there's a definite problem....I wouldn't worry too much unless it becomes a real problem to start, etc.

Remove the carbs and take off the large nut on the bottom of the bowls to drain them.

Goldeneyes · 12-24-2004, 05:39 PM

Ok as i suspected, the carbs were DRY.... So, what is the best way to test the fuel pump?? Does this thing work on vaccum power from the engine?

Some lines on the thing ar ecracked but I can't see where they attach. Certainly not the carbs..

MERRY XMAS

-Stu

**smallengineguy** · 12-24-2004, 10:30 PM

There is a pulse line coming off the crankcase that provides vacuum/pressure to the pump. Check that first, probably the culprit.

Goldeneyes · 12-25-2004, 12:26 AM

Best way to check it? I felt along the edges. Can't find any cracks.. Some sort of vaccum pressure gauge perhaps? I should really take the float bowls apart to make sure there isn't any clogging. Same with the fuel filter too.

I have a secondary question as well. There is a big arm coming off the secondary clutch. It was hanging loose

What doe sthis arm do? Just maximize torque to the track?

**smallengineguy** · 12-25-2004, 06:44 AM

Just replace the hose. It's 1/4 rubber fuel line. Also change the fuel filter if equipped. The big arm on the secondary holds the clutch in line and keeps it from twisting. There is a little post that it hooks onto on the handlebar support pipe, kinda half way down. Swing the arm toward the back and you'll see where it goes.

Goldeneyes · 12-25-2004, 09:47 AM

Ok I will do that. Good thing I have my buddie's 1995 Formula SL around in the meantime. No insurance on taht sled though

If I clean the carbs, replace the fuel filter, replace the cracked hoses and I'm still getting nothing I suppose that is when I can condemn the fuel pump?

Goldeneyes · 12-25-2004, 11:51 AM

DAMN IT
It was the fuel filter. My buddy tells me that most fuel lines aren't conditioned for ethanol. It looks as if the fuel line came apart and some point and plugged the filter really really bad.

This is after i pulled the bloody carbs out anyway.

I had to replace the throttle cable so just as well. I lost one of the small screws that holds the cable in at the needle valve, so i'm going to have to go hunting for one that will fit. Hopefully I diddn't knock anything out of alingment when I was in there.. Carbs seem so delicate.

Merry Christmas everyone

-Stu

YamahaVector · 12-25-2004, 04:15 PM

Ethanol doesn't hurt fuel lines. The only thing that ethanol does is cause your motor to run a little leaner. It adds oxygen to the fuel.

I thought that only English people used the term "bloody", I guess Canadians use it too. Well ta ta.

**smallengineguy** · 12-25-2004, 09:29 PM

Shouldn't have had to remove any screws, did you? The slide spring holds the plate down that holds the cable in place. Maybe yours is different. Anyway, glad you got it taken care of.

Goldeneyes · 12-26-2004, 10:40 AM

Ya I realized that last night that I didn't even have to take those screws out in the first place... Oh well.

In terms of the throttle cable at the oil injectino pump, do you guys know the easiest way to get it off? hard to see out there in the dark garage. I really need to get a proper trouble light. Looks like just a normal bolt, but perhaps it's in with a lock ring?