Kachess
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
This year, when going to start our sleds for the first time, we have had three sleds only run on only three or two cylinders. One pumped gas out the carb vent pipe. All ended up being sticky float needles. The little ridges on the needles have visible corrosion on them (they appear to be aluminum), which make them stick in their sockets. You could scrape it off with your finger nail. I have a feeling all our sleds probably have some degree of this problem so think we will be dropping all our carb bowls to clean up the needles. We have never had to touch the carbs on most of the sleds so it's kind of strange we would all of a sudden begin seeing this issue. I thought maybe it had to do with the gas in the carb bowls evaporating over the summer, but we were pretty good about starting them each month. Maybe a gas additive, or just age.
Frostbite
TY 4 Stroke God
It may be the wonderful editon of Ethanol to our fuel in the state?
I haven't fired mine up yet this season but, I had the same problem last year and traced it to the tiny little O rings for the main jets deteriorating. I need to swap them out.
Best of Luck
Frosty
I haven't fired mine up yet this season but, I had the same problem last year and traced it to the tiny little O rings for the main jets deteriorating. I need to swap them out.
Best of Luck
Frosty
culvert
Expert
With this new fuel guys are having all kinds of trouble. I know my buddys boat acted up this year and found the carbs all gummed up. Local mech told him to keep the tanks drained now because of the fuel not lasting past a month or 2 stored.
wienerwater
Expert
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Methanol is really hard on rubber o rings and hoses, I asume ethanol will do the same.There was a specific type of material compatible for Meth use, not sure if neoprene, or rubber or what but the stuff is not freindly to carb o rings etc.
corvette327
Veteran
My Yamaha outboard had a similar problem early this summer. A cylinder was cutting out due to a sticking float needle. I cleaned the needle and seat but the problem continued. Replaced the needles and seats and it has been good all summer. The new parts have an updated part number. Possible material change for ethanol compatibility?
Note I have allways stored the outboard with the carbs dry.
Note I have allways stored the outboard with the carbs dry.
corvette327 said:
Same thing with my quad and I was told the set you buy are a lot better than what came stock. Pretty much engineered to fail. They dont do that do they. lol
I have seen this the last few years.The quality of the gas has been going down.
crazy canuck
Extreme
Dump some premium (non-ethanol) in before storage and you will be good to go next fall. 
Kachess
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
We've been through six sets of carbs on Tons so far this year. Stuck floats, plugged jets, not idling on a cylinder or two. We finally got down a process where we remove the rack, remove and clean all the jets, and orfices with carb cleaner and air. Pull out the air screw, inspect it , and reinstall 2 turns out. Blow through the air inlet jet and make sure all the little passages into the carb throat are clear. Remove floats, and inspect float needles. It's a pain, but has resolved issues every time. Seems to even make some run stonger. I think I'll try the premium this fall.
