07 Phazer Cold Start Kit

[cannondale27]

I never needed it either.Put new battery in last year but thats it.Sits outside all winter also.Must have been some bad ones with issues starting.

 

[Mooseman]

There is a free update for all 07 Phazers and Ventures. It basically replaces the decompression spring in the camshaft gear and the ECU. The attached bulletin explains it in detail. Although this update was to address customer complaints about starting in very cold temps, those that have it done notice that it starts more quickly regardless of the temperature.

It is free regardless of the warranty status but it ends on Dec. 31, 2009! I have seen older posts that parts are no longer available but if they are adding these parts to current models, how can they be unavailable??? I have my machine in for other recall work and requested that this update be done as well. No word yet so stay tuned...

 

[phazme]

Had my done along with ball joints and steering nut and pin.Updates warranty work. The cold start kit was just a replacement ecu that I think just retards the timing during startup.

 

[Mooseman]

Just spoke to my dealer today and they are going ahead with the update as per the bulletin, free of charge. They called and left a message on Friday. Basically wanted to know if it was hard to start below -15F (-26C). I only got back to him today but he said he went ahead anyway and ordered the parts on Friday. That's what I call a nice guy and a good dealer! (Ottawa Yamaha)

The key on getting this done by your dealer is to say that it is hard to start below -15F. IF you live in an area that never sees temps like that, tell them that you trailered it up north and it wouldn't start. Just get it done because it will start so much quicker and will ensure it always starts no matter how cold it gets.

 

[jthomp]

Waiting for the parts (cold start and ball joints) to arrive and then drop it off to the dealer. Used the Phazer this weekend for hunting and started like poop. 07 with less than 550 miles.

 

[meatman]

hard starting

thanks for the posts on this topic, my phazer has always started hard from in the warm garage. i tried turning the key let it prime then turning the key off and trying again. still no help. after reading this post brought my sled to the dealer and they have diagnosed it as "hard starting". they have ordered the part( have no idea when it will show up) but having no recoil starter any help is good.

 

[Mooseman]

I had it done and you won't regret it. Before, in the garage, it took about 8 revolutions to start. Now, it takes only about 4. And with the arctic temps you've been getting out west, you'll need it!

 

[hyprst]

coleman.. what your describing is exactly what happened to my phazer after the cold start update, starting right away but dying 3 or 4 times to get it outta the trailer, which it never died once in the 2200 miles before the kit was installed. the problem I have now is it only ran for another 125 miles before it whacked the mag piston outta of it, detonation broke the sparkplug burnt the entire electrode off the tip, scored the cylinder, now back at the dealer. I checked the pto plug it has no color on it whatsoever , just a spray of alum from the the top of the piston. Im suspectimg that the repalcement ecu is either the wrong part or has been programmed for mountain application.. I would read the spark plugs before gettin too far out and make sure you dont end up like me with nothing to ride.

 

[cannondale27]

That is a definite possibility Hyprst.At altitude a motor can takes lots of timing.That or bad gas is only thing I could think of to cause that kind of detonation.It wasnt turbocharged right?Problem is that in this day and age the sleds are so complicated.Many dealers have multiple makes even.Lot of room for a simple error causing big problems.Only solution I can think of is total disclosure at the factory level.I believe they should make available for download by thier customers every bulletin and every tip at factory level even if it means scaring a few customers away.If this is done all of us could see serial numbers for ECU's etc.To possibly prevent a issue like this.For now the best we have is this site and all the helpful folks here.

 

[Mooseman]

Although not confirmed, I just heard from another forum that this update has been extended and also now includes '07 to '10 sleds. Now if this is true, why wouldn't Yamaha include this improvements in subsequent years?!? That bulletin was published in 2007!

 

[cannondale27]

Because not everyone needs it.I am very happy with the way my 07 starts.Yes it cranks over a few more times than most fuelinjected vehicles but it has always started and never fouled a plug.Who knows what the difference is.Rarely gets below 0 f here but even then it still started.No two motors can possibly be exactly the same and I have no doubt some start better than others.Heck even batteries and oil choices make a difference.Best thing to do is work with Yamaha to get the best satisfaction you can and then dig in yourself.Try to think how much fun you have when things work right it makes it worth hassle for me at least.

 

[Mooseman]

Although that may be true, it would have cost Yamaha nothing to use the updated parts when the '08 to '10 sleds were built. All they needed to to is use the updated decompression spring and ECU. Regardless if the sled will be used in sub-zero temps, it's just good business sense and increases customer satisfaction. Or is Yamaha so damn cheap that they would rather go through the supply of the old parts first and gamble most people won't complain. I decided to have mine done as a preventive measure.

 

[cannondale27]

It could be because they want to use up old parts(like secondary clutch) or maybe because of so many out there without complaints they just dont want to fix what isnt broke.The old saying that still makes sense since many fixes end up causing more issues.I dont know.Maybe the old stuff works better sometimes.Its kind of like the H1N1 Vaccinations.I didnt get one because I felt good and thought risks were acceptable.Its up to you really to do what makes you happy.

 

[hyprst]

The dlr claims the broken sparkplug allowed air to enter the cylinder causing the lean condition, which deto the piston. I would buy that theory if the other plug had any color whatsoever after running 125mi. I checked my other 2 sleds my 07 apex and 09 nytro and both those sleds have perfert peanut butter brown coloring on all the plugs. I m not new at all to this snomo game I ve modified many of two strokes in my past 20yrs and decieded 2 yrs ago to get away from all of that and switch to 4 strokes. Dlr has ordered a new block and and one piston to do the repairs. If I can figure out how to post a pic I can post a pic of the lean sparkplug.

 

[meatman]

hard starting

rec'd my phazer back from the dealer on dec 24, it was parked outside, they turned the key on then off then on again and turned it, it maybe cranked 4 or 5 times fired right up. has never done this even trail side for a quick break. i am happy with the update.