2006 APEX FUEL AIR-LOCK

[Super Dave]

Hi have a problem, hope you can help and solve my frustrating issue. I pumped out my remaining fuel from the tank, but still showed two bars on the gauge, went to start it, tried to fire but just sputtered and wouldn't start. I then filled the tank half full with fresh gas and tried starting again, after a few tries of sputtering it started but idles low just around 1000 rpm, and sounds rough. Tried starting it for the past week still the same, could I have a fuel air lock? and where would it be restricted? how do I repair this problem HELP

 

[steiner]

Sounds like bad sparkplugs. If it were an air lock in the fuel system it would not start at all.

 

[Super Dave]

Sounds like bad sparkplugs. If it were an air lock in the fuel system it would not start at all.

Hi will change the spark plugs, kind of strange that the machine started and ran perfectly and idled evenly until I decided to pump out the old fuel, after that is when it went haywire, Thanks

 

[steiner]

Maybe you snagged the pick up when you pumped the old fuel out. Try pumping out the fuel again and look into the tank. Or if you are feeling ambitious remove the seat to gain to get to the fuel pump access then remove the fuel pump assembly.
Take a good look and the filter/pick up assembly for damage.

 

[Super Dave]

Maybe you snagged the pick up when you pumped the old fuel out. Try pumping out the fuel again and look into the tank. Or if you are feeling ambitious remove the seat to gain to get to the fuel pump access then remove the fuel pump assembly.
Take a good look and the filter/pick up assembly for damage.

Tried plan A first, changed the spark plugs, noticed two plugs were wet, changed them all, that was the problem, fired right up and runs good , being my first four-stroke sled, kind of surprised the plugs didn't last that long being a four-stroke, Thanks Steiner, sure love the info and fast response offered

 

[RobX-1]

A sure way to foul plugs on these four strokes is to start them up and then shut them off without getting up to true operating temperatures and not just when the cold start engine light goes off.

 

[Super Dave]

A sure way to foul plugs on these four strokes is to start them up and then shut them off without getting up to true operating temperatures and not just when the cold start engine light goes off.

RobX-1 Thanks for the info, didn't know that, I like to start my Apex once a month in the off season,and warm it up for around ten minutes, just like to keep things flowing, is that no good for the sled? Do tell what do you guys do for the many months of off season??

 

[74Nitro]

RobX-1 Thanks for the info, didn't know that, I like to start my Apex once a month in the off season,and warm it up for around ten minutes, just like to keep things flowing, is that no good for the sled? Do tell what do you guys do for the many months of off season??

It's too often, and it is Ok to let the sled shut it self off. If you want to do this and not foul plugs, you could also lift the back end up and rev it up a bunch of times before shutting it off.

 

[steiner]

Prepping the sled to sit in the off season.
1. Engine Oil change
2. Chaincase oil change
3. Drain the gas and put in fresh non ethanol gas and a good dose of stabilizer
4. Clean and grease all bearings in the skid,driveshaft and jackshaft
5. Wash and wax the sled.
6. Connect battery maintainer.
7. Install cover, push sled into a lonely corner of the garage and dream of next year's season.
8. Spend the next 9 months looking for and buying upgrades

 

[74Nitro]

Prepping the sled to sit in the off season.
1. Engine Oil change
2. Chaincase oil change
3. Drain the gas and put in fresh non ethanol gas and a good dose of stabilizer
4. Clean and grease all bearings in the skid,driveshaft and jackshaft
5. Wash and wax the sled.
6. Connect battery maintainer.
7. Install cover, push sled into a lonely corner of the garage and dream of next year's season.
8. Spend the next 9 months looking for and buying upgrades

Geez, you make me look bad.
I do like to get the oil changed at the end of season, but when I'm done riding, I put it in my covered trailer and back it up into my old bank barn.
As soon as the snow starts falling, I turn the key, it starts, top it up with new gas and I'm off.

 

[Macheater]

A sure way to foul plugs on these four strokes is to start them up and then shut them off without getting up to true operating temperatures and not just when the cold start engine light goes off.

Exactly! The first gen Ape's are stupid rich on cranking and initial fire-up.
All above responses are great idea's/strategies.
Come summer, leave it alone.

 

[Super Dave]

Tried plan A first, changed the spark plugs, noticed two plugs were wet, changed them all, that was the problem, fired right up and runs good , being my first four-stroke sled, kind of surprised the plugs didn't last that long being a four-stroke, Thanks Steiner, sure love the info and fast response offered

Exactly! The first gen Ape's are stupid rich on cranking and initial fire-up.
All above responses are great idea's/strategies.
Come summer, leave it alone.

Thanks Guys, For all your info, will change some of my ways, just had a thought now, I use NGK-CR9EB plugs, listed in my manual, does anyone know of any premium plugs available which have less chance of fouling up, for my 06 apex, just a thought.

 

[74Nitro]

the EIX series, Iridium

 

[maim]

i always run mine every month until all the exchangers are hot and spin the tracks too. saves me start of season running issues i was having before on older sleds.