2007 Apex won't start cold. ( -20 C -5 F)

[manotickmike]

Ok, I browsed ~50 pages last night, (not much else to do when it's -30c!) looking for ALL the info I could find.
I'm hoping to find any NEW or relevant info on how to make this sled start reliably in the cold.
Without a hair dryer, or pouring hot water on it, or... Y'know. All the stuff that's already here.
This sled will crank for a LONG time, speed seems good. Battery is less than 2 years old. I've tried boosting it with a GOOD automotive battery.
Occasionally, it will sputter and pop, but not start reliably. After 3 or 4 attempts, over the course of a day, I can get it to start, and run PERFECTLY. Using a battery charger, boost, or just a bunch of swear words.
My objective is to be able to start it reliably, down to -25 0r so, (0 F) without help.
PLEASE don't reply with how well yours starts, or doesn't, it will really help me, and the archive if we can keep this on topic.
Just want to hear about how yours was like mine, and what specifically fixed it.
Happy New Years!

 

[slimjim2525]

Simple. Turn the key on an off 4 times to cycle the fuel pump. Start the engine with the throttle cracked slightly open, and keep the key in the start position until it catches. DO NOT let the key off until its running.

 

[Winderallday!]

Good advice above ^.
Would also recommend replacing plugs after this episode.

 

[Rich Kay]

Mine for the very first time in its life had a hard time starting....-18F. It cranked ok but would not want to light! ( spit spudder) It did have the storage non ethanol l fuel in it though. Cracked the throttle a bit and turned over in till it lit and left it alone for a good 10 min. did not have any issues the rest of the week.

 

[TrueBlue]

Ok, I browsed ~50 pages last night, (not much else to do when it's -30c!) looking for ALL the info I could find.
I'm hoping to find any NEW or relevant info on how to make this sled start reliably in the cold.
Without a hair dryer, or pouring hot water on it, or... Y'know. All the stuff that's already here.
This sled will crank for a LONG time, speed seems good. Battery is less than 2 years old. I've tried boosting it with a GOOD automotive battery.
Occasionally, it will sputter and pop, but not start reliably. After 3 or 4 attempts, over the course of a day, I can get it to start, and run PERFECTLY. Using a battery charger, boost, or just a bunch of swear words.
My objective is to be able to start it reliably, down to -25 0r so, (0 F) without help.
PLEASE don't reply with how well yours starts, or doesn't, it will really help me, and the archive if we can keep this on topic.
Just want to hear about how yours was like mine, and what specifically fixed it.
Happy New Years!

Install in-line coolant heater. Yamaha sells these. I put 1 in my 2006 Vector & it worked great. Starts right up & light goes off within 60 seconds

 

[thor452]

A long shot here and my be coincidence my 2012 apex would not start reliably in cold temps for a couple years so I bought an inline heater and when I went to install it I noticed the overflow bottle for antifreeze was empty. I didn't think much of it at the time I just installed heater and filled the sled up with antifreeze ran it and bled the system and topped it off. that whole season I never had a cold start issue, never even used the coolant heater once, and my buddies who never had an issue were having problems. while servicing their sleds this year I noticed the coolant overflow tank was empty on theirs now. topped them off and will see if it helps.

 

[Yamaha11]

A long shot here and my be coincidence my 2012 apex would not start reliably in cold temps for a couple years so I bought an inline heater and when I went to install it I noticed the overflow bottle for antifreeze was empty. I didn't think much of it at the time I just installed heater and filled the sled up with antifreeze ran it and bled the system and topped it off. that whole season I never had a cold start issue, never even used the coolant heater once, and my buddies who never had an issue were having problems. while servicing their sleds this year I noticed the coolant overflow tank was empty on theirs now. topped them off and will see if it helps.[/QUOTE

 

[Yamaha11]

Is there such a thing as idle control valve that could need to be cleaned or replaced

 

[Yamaha11]

Or idle speed control (isc)

 

[Stubbs]

06-10 Apex/Attak yes
11 + Apex no

 

[Yamaha11]

So what would make my 11 not go into high idle

 

[Stubbs]

No idea. The 11+ Apex models use a servo driven idle set up, not an old school IAC like the previous years. My 11 has always been a crappy cold starter compared to my 06. The addition of a PCV from Ulmer Racing this year seems to have helped some, but it’s too early in the season to give it a total thumbs up improvement for this issue.
As I side note, every 4 stroke Yammy I’ve had since 07 has had a coolant hose heater installed and I use it whenever there is power available. They have all been much happier during a cold start when I have the chance to plug them in.

 

[trailanimal]

Last year I started having start problems on long trips when the temperature was below -30C. never had any problems before last year, I now have 10,000 miles. One fellow sledder gave me a hand when it wouldn't run, he seemed very knowledgeable about Apex sleds, said he owned 4 of them, I asked him what was happening,i.e. sled would crank and crank but would not fire up, he replied that I needed to replace the fuel pressure sensor as it has a small rubber die-a-frame in it, and they can go bad. The part number is 5S7-82380-00 around 90 $. It seemed to me that I had some how flooded it and that was why it would not fire up, as I had my buddies 3 of them hold the back end up and I cranked with the throttle wide open till it fired up. Both times once it fired up I was good for the rest of the day. I have been toying with putting in a fuel pump switch by the key so that when it is cold my plan is to crank the engine over then turn the pump on, hoping that I won't flood the engine. It is hard to know if the reason it won't start is because it's flooded or no fuel to ignite. Both times when it finally started black smoke and soot and smell of gas came out the pipes, this leads me to think it flooded right off the get go. I have a new battery which is stronger then orignial I am now at a 20amp hr with 285 cca as apposed to 14 amp hr/220cca original, also put a new fuel pump in because last week went to fire up for a ride and it just cranked over and over, pump was working but would not pump fuel. Now seems to run like when it was new no problems starting at -20C last Monday. Will let you know how she starts once I get some rides in. Hope this fixes it as it is frustrating when the dreaded doos start and the mighty Apex only cranks.

 

[Darren Betker]

All these plug in heaters are great but im having these issues as you are with my 06 but im very rarely around electricity......ice fishing.....going out to camp.....hunting.....or simply visiting a buddys place. What do i do then?

 

[Rich Kay]

Have a question for all you guys... how many are running the 10's instead of the 9's for spark plugs? Just wondering.