07 Attak hard starting in cold

[kenbar]

07 Attak. The past two mornings it was very hard starting outside for the first start. Had to hold the throttle down and turn the key at least 6 times before it finally caught. Would not start at all just turning the key. Lots of cranking but not catching. Once it started is was good all day. The temperature was around -10C.

Anyone else with a similar problem or any comments as to what is going on?

 

[donbarb]

Starting your Attak

Its always a good ideer to cycle the fuel pump a few times before ingaging the starter. This allows the pump to pressurize and bring the fuel up to were it counts. Then hit the starter and with a few cranks it should fire..

 

[Turk]

Yep; listen to the fuel pump cycle & don,t crank it over till you hear it shut off. Never ever had it take more then 2-3 revolutions.

 

[Len Todd]

When you turn on the key, leave it sit until you hear the pump stop. Then try to start it. All the "Batteried" EFIs are like that. Only Arctic Cat's "Batteryless" EFI does not need that level of fuel pressure.

Also, when you press the throttle you are leaning the fuel mixture. Not so sure you want to do that to get a cold engine running.

If you have plenty of gas, like a wet plug, and you have to press the throttle to get it started, then something else could be wrong.

 

[kenbar]

Yes, I have been waiting until the fuel pump stops. I haven't cycled it two or three times bfore trying. Is this required on cold mornings to get enough pressure?

 

[Len Todd]

Should only have to cycle it once. Should not have to touch throttle. On a cold day, why not take it back to the dealer and have him check it out.

 

[The Snow D.O.]

Might want to read this post as it deals with almost the exact same issue.

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=

 

[kenbar]

Has anyone had problems with water or condensation in the gas? The machine was in a warm shed and started fine until I left it outside. Maybe some premium gas line antifreeze could help. I haven't tried to start it today but will shortly..

 

[4Fighter]

According to my dealer, these sleds are sensitive to changes in barometeric pressure and temperature and you may need to cycle the pumps to recalibrate the computer - something like that.

When they assemble and test run the sleds, it's in a wamer environment than the warehouse they store them in (transported via fork-lift). They could also sit for days or weeks before being started. I went to listen to an Attak run in the warehouse, but it would not start right away. A few on/off clicks of the ignition, listening for the pumps to cycle (change pitch), and it fired right up.

Same thing when they brought the (floor model GT) to my home. They loaded it from the show-room into a truck bed, and it sat for about 45 minutes outside, then when they tried to start it after they unloaded it, they had to do the same thing as they did for the demo in the warehouse. It fired right up. No fouled plugs, no bad gas, no water in the tank either. They only put 1 gal. of gas in the sled too.

 

[kenbar]

Update; Hard starting!

Well, after three frustrating mornings of hard starting I think I found the reason. Today I left it unplugged (I installed the plug in heater) and left the cover of the machine. Started after two cranks!

My theory is that leaving it plugged in overnight in milder temperatures with the cover on the machine builds up heat. The cover was actually warm one morning. The air temperature sensor thinks it is warmer out and then sets the air/fuel mixture accordingly. So, when you start the machine, the mixture is not correct for the actual temperature and thus it is either too lean or rich. Does this make sense? This is the only explanation other than water in the gas and the premium gas line antifreeze finally removed it, although this did not work the first three times.

 

[Len Todd]

I have a block heater. My sled is not a fuely. However, ... I just turn it on for 10 minutes before I try to starting , when it is colder than -10 degrees F. I do not use it any other time. I do not leave it on overnight. That thing gets very hot!

When I do use the heater, I can not Initially use the choke. However, after a few seconds the cold coolant hits the engine and then I need the choke to keep it running. So if you are using a block heater, you could be messing with the computer.

So kenbar; What are you using for gas?

 

[kenbar]

Len,

Using regular 87 Octane Canadian gas.

 

[power valve]

i thought that those block heaters were only supposed to be plugged in 10-15 minutes before starting

 

[irondog rtx]

rx 1 and apex cold stars

I just got 40 below wind chill here and I have not had to plug it in. Yes I think the apex efi is a little more touchy coming out of warm shops I know mine has acted up a little. As a rule after dead still 30 below or high wind chill nights I will plug mine in have takin older rx 1 camping in the mountains and had very good luck yes I had extra battery and light tarp some times we us a small coleman lantren under a tarp if hard startin heard new 80 hp twins are a bear to start under 25 below or so I may try one of those jumper setups to run heater but not good for to many nights any hard core campin people out there with some tricks up there sleeve? I also think a .good syn oil helps to if its cold out I try and use the same good oils but have had to use syn car oil at times when not near big stores