Ok experts out there or even not so expert as I am probably the greenest person to buy a four stroke much less one the caliber of the RX-1. Neverthess I have had my share of troubles out of my 05 I bought last year, and about 80% of which are due to my inexperience at owning a machine like this one. The trouble I want to ask you guys about is one that had resurfaced this season. Right after I first got it in February I started it with the choke open all the way and, the throttle pushed at the same time. I quickly found out how to mess up a spark plug so I replaced them all, and put about 250 miles behind me before covering it for the season. Since last week I have changed the oil and filter, and put about 15 miles on it. Well this morning I went to start her up and it started up ok but not with the usual high RPM reaction and then kick down after warm up. After about 5 minutes the warm engine light didn't go off so I backed off the choke about halfway expecting it to be warm anytime. Well it stopped running, I tried to restart it but it only rumbled, backfired and wouldn't start. Just like it did when I used the choke and throttle last February.
Does anybody have any ideas for me I thought I may have a bad plug again, and are NGK spark plugs pretty much the standard or should I get a different brand?
I would appreciate anyones help as the only reason I bought this particular machine was because I read all the forums out there and the RX-1 one was supposed to be a tank that all I would have to do is ride, service, when required, and enjoy.
Does anybody have any ideas for me I thought I may have a bad plug again, and are NGK spark plugs pretty much the standard or should I get a different brand?
I would appreciate anyones help as the only reason I bought this particular machine was because I read all the forums out there and the RX-1 one was supposed to be a tank that all I would have to do is ride, service, when required, and enjoy.
I hate to say it but you're probably looking at new plugs again. I had both an RX1 then a Rage and found that I should only use the choke to get it started then get it off choke as soon as possible, like right away.
I recently did again to the Rage, leaving it on half-choke too long when I got distracted with something else. Naturally this happened right as I was going load it to trade it off for my new Apex.
Oh well, got a fuelie now but those choke lessons will not go forgotten.
I recently did again to the Rage, leaving it on half-choke too long when I got distracted with something else. Naturally this happened right as I was going load it to trade it off for my new Apex.
Oh well, got a fuelie now but those choke lessons will not go forgotten.
4Fighter
TY 4 Stroke God
How old is the gas in the tank? Condensation (H20) sits in the bottom of it too. Even with Stabil, the gas turns a piss-yellow over storage. It's probably a good idea to remove the tank, and dump it - or pump it out at the end of the season. After 2 seasons, and 1 can of Sea Foam at the start of each season, my floats were very clean this fall, but the gas in the tank looked like urine when I pulled it and dumped it out.
How much gas is in the tank? Are you running it on a stand? If you are??? you should have at least 3 gal. of gasoline, preferrably fresh.
Did you remove the air-box at one time, and possibly pinch a fuel line?
How sure are you that your float-bowls are clean? You can pull the air-box and drain the bowls into a baby-food jar to check the clarity.
NGK's should be fine, as long as they are the correct plug. Does just one cylinder foul or is it all of them?
Then, be sure to synch your carbs before you hit the snow.
How much gas is in the tank? Are you running it on a stand? If you are??? you should have at least 3 gal. of gasoline, preferrably fresh.
Did you remove the air-box at one time, and possibly pinch a fuel line?
How sure are you that your float-bowls are clean? You can pull the air-box and drain the bowls into a baby-food jar to check the clarity.
NGK's should be fine, as long as they are the correct plug. Does just one cylinder foul or is it all of them?
Then, be sure to synch your carbs before you hit the snow.
NY_Nytro
TY 4 Stroke Master
As SledderSteve said, turn the choke off right away. Use it only to get it started. Sometimes in extreme cold you will need to feather it down as it warms up, but usually turn the choke off right away.
LazyBastard
TY 4 Stroke God
NEVER open the throttle to start a Yamaha. ANY Yamaha.
BURMAD69
Expert
Been there Dun that, I switched over to Champion Power Sport plugs in all my sleds and havent fouled on in 2 years, Used to think NGK was the only plug for sleds now its kinda like No Good Kind Rx1s are very tempermental about choke due to the vv carbs,get the choke off right away
4Fighter
TY 4 Stroke God
LazyBastard said:
I do it all the time after I've had it on it's side adjusting the pro-action.
Backfire
Thanks guys for your help I will start with the plugs and then hopefully that will take care of the problem... As for 4fighters reply thank you too but to be honest the only reason I bought this particular machine was so I didn't have to be a sno mobile mechanic right away. I used to have a 76' Bronco that I was always working on and it was kind of fun but where I live is -40 and when my $10,000 snow machine won't start it is not much fun. I understand that over time there are things that will need to be done but I was hoping I would have at least a couple of seasons before I had to get into a bunch of stuff like you are talking about.
The only thing that I did was change the oil thus far, and I don't think I could have pinched the air-box in any way. Your point on the gas tank is well received as I am not sure the gas we get is the cleanest and probably isn't but to be honest I have only had to fill up maybe four times if that and every time I did I put the Yamaha dealer approved additive with it.
What I will do is try the spark plugs first, then if that doesn't work I will probably try the other things. I am going to park it in the shop this spring and do the other things you mentioned regardless. i really don't plan on staying ignorant the whole time I own this thing like I said I just wasn't planning on being a sno mobile mechanic this soon or I would have bought the competitions model. No offense!
Thanks guys for your help I will start with the plugs and then hopefully that will take care of the problem... As for 4fighters reply thank you too but to be honest the only reason I bought this particular machine was so I didn't have to be a sno mobile mechanic right away. I used to have a 76' Bronco that I was always working on and it was kind of fun but where I live is -40 and when my $10,000 snow machine won't start it is not much fun. I understand that over time there are things that will need to be done but I was hoping I would have at least a couple of seasons before I had to get into a bunch of stuff like you are talking about.
The only thing that I did was change the oil thus far, and I don't think I could have pinched the air-box in any way. Your point on the gas tank is well received as I am not sure the gas we get is the cleanest and probably isn't but to be honest I have only had to fill up maybe four times if that and every time I did I put the Yamaha dealer approved additive with it.
What I will do is try the spark plugs first, then if that doesn't work I will probably try the other things. I am going to park it in the shop this spring and do the other things you mentioned regardless. i really don't plan on staying ignorant the whole time I own this thing like I said I just wasn't planning on being a sno mobile mechanic this soon or I would have bought the competitions model. No offense!
Bossrx1
Pro
Every yamaha I've ever owned required you to open the throttle a touch to start when warm. Never when cold.
95vmax
98 vamx
00mm
00srx
05rx1
95vmax
98 vamx
00mm
00srx
05rx1
4Fighter
TY 4 Stroke God
Re: Backfire
Hey man, you're preaching to the choir
But a snowmobile, any snowmobile, is a maintenance PIG. In-fact, just about any tracked vehicle is - They'll even break-down if you look at them funny too.
Things I learned last month:
1. The first mod you should make to any snowmobile, is a Tek-Vest or Safe-Jak.
2. Stabil in the old gas is no substitute for fresh gasoline.
3. Too much grease in the skid can be a bad thing too.
4. Never try and adjust the carbs with only a gallon of gas in the tank (You actually need 5 to be safe, depending on how hi you lift the rear)
5. ECP's make a killer growl.
6. #165 speed jets.
7. Synching your carbs is easy, and cheap.
But the biggest thing to be aware of:
Whatch that PTO-side drive axle bearing! It's sealed - no zerk so definitely carry a spare if you go on a long trip, and if you hear a hi-pitched, squeeking noise down by your foot, and your speedo still works - STOP!
truth2ak said:
Hey man, you're preaching to the choir
But a snowmobile, any snowmobile, is a maintenance PIG. In-fact, just about any tracked vehicle is - They'll even break-down if you look at them funny too.Things I learned last month:
1. The first mod you should make to any snowmobile, is a Tek-Vest or Safe-Jak.
2. Stabil in the old gas is no substitute for fresh gasoline.
3. Too much grease in the skid can be a bad thing too.
4. Never try and adjust the carbs with only a gallon of gas in the tank (You actually need 5 to be safe, depending on how hi you lift the rear)
5. ECP's make a killer growl.
6. #165 speed jets.
7. Synching your carbs is easy, and cheap.
But the biggest thing to be aware of:
Whatch that PTO-side drive axle bearing! It's sealed - no zerk so definitely carry a spare if you go on a long trip, and if you hear a hi-pitched, squeeking noise down by your foot, and your speedo still works - STOP!
madforR1s
Veteran
Yep, 1st thing I learned about my 03 RX1 is it likes choke to start with no throttle, and get her off the choke asap. Words to live by 4fighter, good post.
RX-1 plug fouling
I just wanted to thank you guys out there for all your help and input, as it turns out the plugs were shot.
One thing I forgot to mention when I submitted my questions was that I had the dealer install a block and battery
heater on my sled before they shipped it to me, and apparently what I have deduced is that when you keep it plugged in
you don't have to use the choke at least until -40 it's already warmed up! I am not sure if you need it if gets colder than that,
I won't find out until about the middle of January.
I guess you could say I'm all choked up
Thanks for your help.
I just wanted to thank you guys out there for all your help and input, as it turns out the plugs were shot.
One thing I forgot to mention when I submitted my questions was that I had the dealer install a block and battery
heater on my sled before they shipped it to me, and apparently what I have deduced is that when you keep it plugged in
you don't have to use the choke at least until -40 it's already warmed up! I am not sure if you need it if gets colder than that,
I won't find out until about the middle of January.
I guess you could say I'm all choked up
Thanks for your help.
whits-end
Pro
You definitely don't need any choke with the electric engine heater, at least down to -20 C. Bin there dun that. It's awsome.
