13 apex wouldn't start

[ualav8]

I left my 2013 apex out overnight when temps got down to -20f. Earlier in the season, I replaced the stock fuel pump relay with the red solid state. When I went to start it, I could clearly hear the fuel pump cycle on then off, it cranked vigorously, and sputtered as if if was trying to light off, while puffing some smoke out of the tail pipes. I even shot some starting fluid into the throttle bodies to no avail. After draining the battery and most of a second jumper battery, I gave up. Later in the day, after things warmed up, it started pretty much right away. Any thoughts on what the problem might be?

 

[sledheadgeorge]

Crappy fuel

 

[ualav8]

I run 87 octane no ethanol fuel. We have nearly 20 sleds of various vintages running the exact same fuel out of the same tank, most notably a 03 rx1, 06 apex, and 11 apex- all sat out overnight and all started right away so I think I can rule out fuel.

 

[sledheadgeorge]

Fuel line could be icing up. Put some methyl hydrate in your tank. You could have a lot of moisture in it, especially if you store your sled in heated garage occasionally.

 

[ualav8]

Is that what is in "heet"?

 

[sledheadgeorge]

Not familiar with the brand but could be if it helps to disperse the moisture in fuel.

 

[Grimm]

Just an FYI, recommended fuel is 91 octane, not 87

 

[sledheadgeorge]

Just an FYI, recommended fuel is 91 octane, not 87

Thats right. Bring a can of Klotz or Torco octane boost with you when you can't get the right fuel. Engine runs way better on the exup models.

 

[Riceburner]

Had the same issue 2 weeks ago at the same temperatures. Fuel pump was frozen.
Moisture in gas from frost in tank was my diagnosis. [Or could have been bad gas that came with water in it.]
Fuel pump made no noise when key was turned on but did when key was turned off.
I kept cycling the fuel pump & eventually I heard the pump start , turned key the rest of the way & it started right up.
Added some Sea Foam, no issues since.

 

[sledheadgeorge]

Seafoam is good treatment for fuel

 

[RDPOWER]

It's not the gas, fuel relay or fuel pump icing. I have a 2012 Apex XTX and it does the same thing when it's out in the extreme cold. When you start it it will start for a split second then stumbles and shuts off. It stumbled because it dumped way to much raw fuel in, that's why it's blowing smoke out the exhaust. When you crank it to restart you can tell its flooded. The only way I can get mine to start is hook up jumper cables from another sled, crack the air box lid, hold it wide open and crank the #*$&@ out of it. I ride Quebec and had to do this many times. Trust me it sucks. Yamaha knows they have a problem with the mapping but never came out with an update. One thing that I find helps is cycle the key a couple of times to prime the fuel then crank it but DON'T STOP cranking when it starts. Keep cranking while it's running for a couple seconds so when it does stumble it doesn't shut off. This might not be good for the starter but I don't care. A sled that don't start is worthless. I hope this helps.

 

[tomanytoyz]

I dont have a EXUP ,but it has nothing to do with the EXUP? not opening up all the way/opening too slow ect.if i go start my sled with my hands over the tailpipes slightly im sure my sled would start funny...

 

[His&HersYamahas]

I have been troubleshooting this same issue on my 2011 Apex XTX. My experience is exactly what RDPOWER describes in his post above (flooding). I brought my sled into the dealer and they found that the air box was not connected to the throttle bodies*. They are confident that this was the cause of the issue. I will have to get the sled up north again to confirm if it is fixed.

*This was caused by a guy who backed his trailer into my sled. The trailer rode up the hood and hit the portion of the air box that sticks out in the center. I was worried about the scratches on the hood and never realized that the air box got dislodged.

I can give you guys a tip that will get you started if this happens to you again. If the sled starts and stalls out after a few seconds when sled sat in below zero temperatures try this:

Do not try to restart the sled. Disconnect the Fuel Pump relay. Open the throttle wide open and crank the sled over. This will clear out the excess fuel and prevent the plugs from fouling. Reconnect the Fuel Pump relay and restart the sled. This worked like a charm for me and I was riding in 15 minutes.

Note: I edited this post to clear up any confusion regarding which relay to disconnect. I originally called it the Fuel Injection relay when I should have called it the Fuel Pump relay.

 

[RDPOWER]

I have been troubleshooting this same issue on my 2011 Apex XTX. My experience is exactly what RDPOWER describes in his post above. I brought my led into the dealer and they found that the air box was not connected to the throttle bodies*. They are confident that this was the cause of the issue. I will have to get the sled up north again to confirm if it is fixed.

*This was caused by a guy who backed his trailer into my sled. The trailer rode up the hood and hit the portion of the air box that sticks out in the center. I was worried about the scratches on the hood and never realized that the air box got dislodged.

I can give you guys a tip that will get you started if this happens to you again. If the sled starts and stalls out after a few seconds when sled sat in below zero temperatures try this:

Do not try to restart the sled. Disconnect the Fuel Injection Relay. Open the throttle wide open and crank the sled over. This will clear out the excess fuel. Reconnect the Fuel Injection relay and restart the sled. This worked like a charm for me and I was riding in 15 minutes.

Good idea I'll try that next time. It makes a lot of sense because the sled is definitely flooded and that should evacuate the raw fuel. Thanks

 

[ualav8]

That's a great idea! I'll definately try that!