MNicefisher
Extreme
Forecast has -30F for 8am tomorrow so I decided to leave the sled outside to see if it will start. I do have a battery tender plugged in but that's it. I've been curious how well or if it will even start in that cold of temp. I do have the newer ECM but that's it, the decompression springs were never done. I'll report back in the morning.
Ruggybuggy
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2013
- Messages
- 727
- Reaction score
- 65
- Points
- 658
- Location
- Kenora, NWOnt, Canada
- Country
- Canada
- Snowmobile
- 2007 Phazer FX 144
Can't wait for the results. I just did exactly as you did but haven't tested it in really cold weather. It lives in the garage.
MNicefisher
Extreme
Unfortunately it only got down to -20 but it started great. I will have to try it again when it gets colder.
back country
Veteran
Mine always takes about 10-12 cranks to go when its cold then once its warm 2 cranks and she fires up. Last year it was sitting outside of the cottage and between -25 to -29 celcius it started. This year same test, sitting outside over night in a covered trailer but it was between -32 to -36 and it wouldn't go. Had to boost it and it still wouldn't go then stuck a heater on the oil reservoir for an hour boosted it and she went. My Nytro started the one night at -33 but not the next at -35 (it usually starts within 3 cranks.
I'm going to put the inline heaters in I think.
I'm going to put the inline heaters in I think.
Mooseman
I'm not all knowing. Post your question in forum.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2009
- Messages
- 4,109
- Reaction score
- 1,078
- Points
- 1,733
- Location
- Greely, Ontario
- Country
- Canada
- Snowmobile
- '07 Venture MP (gone)
'07 Phazer FX (gone)
'09 Phazer GT (gone)
'10 RS Venture GT (My current ride)
'10 Nytro FX (son's)
- LOCATION
- Greely, ON Canada
Last night, was -23C, which is relatively mild compared to some of you. My MP started after 4 slow cranks and stalled. Cranked it again and she kept running. It had been parked for about a week and a half though. Was cold but I just love my windshield!
I'm leary of the inline heaters ever since a parts store owner told me of horror stories of them melting hoses. I'd go with a heated pad that can be stuck onto the oil tank. This thread has some info on some pads that can be stuck onto the tank and battery:
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=
I'm leary of the inline heaters ever since a parts store owner told me of horror stories of them melting hoses. I'd go with a heated pad that can be stuck onto the oil tank. This thread has some info on some pads that can be stuck onto the tank and battery:
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=
MNicefisher
Extreme
So I got another attempt at a cold start this morning. I have 3 digital temp gauges that were reading -18.5F, -25, -29 and the internet said -31. I'm going to go with the -29 because I used a Mac Tools temp gun and it was closest to the internet temp. The sled turned over good and I did have my battery tender plugged in and it did fire a few times in the beginning but it wouldn't start and at the end it wouldn't even fire. I had the hood open and I did see some smoke come from around the injector area. I tried to smell it to see if it was just steam from firing or electrical smoke but I couldn't smell anything but it didn't fire after that. I really hope I didn't fry anything because all I've done is put time and money into this thing this winter. I'll try again if it warms up. When they fire in the beginning and you keep tying and it no longer fires does that usually mean it's flooded?
On a side note, I bought a honda 4 stroke ice auger and left that outside to test it too. It's got a carb of coarse and it fired on the 7Th pull and started at around 14 pulls. These Hondas augers are kinda knowing for being cold starting or not starting at all so I was surprised when it went and not the sled.
On a side note, I bought a honda 4 stroke ice auger and left that outside to test it too. It's got a carb of coarse and it fired on the 7Th pull and started at around 14 pulls. These Hondas augers are kinda knowing for being cold starting or not starting at all so I was surprised when it went and not the sled.
MNicefisher
Extreme
After many attempts to get it started, it even warmed up to -17 and still would only fire, sputter and backfire a few times. I ended up pulling it into the garage that's heated to 50 and after an hour it started but not easily. I thought it might be flooded so I held the throttle down and it wouldn't even fire but after letting the throttle back up it started firing again and then started. As soon as it started that smoke I saw before started pouring out from around the steering shaft. I've never seen this before and I wonder if the backfire did something to the exhaust donuts. I'm not 100% sure it's exhaust or steam. I took it for a short ride and noticed when I hit deep snow it seemed to get worse so maybe steam? I've never road it in these temps before but never seen anything come up from the steering area like that.
DaveA
Newbie
This is how you do it. 
We experienced no temps above -34C and 3 consecutive nights at -44C at our cabin in northern Sask. between Christmas and New Years. Neither the Venture which will start down to -27C and the Tundra 600 down to -31C would start. This bush rig did the job in an hour or so. The carpet underlay and lumber tarp trapped the heat well but for next time we will have infra-red heater for the generator or propane tanks. There is a brown smoky film over the hood, mirrors and windshield, expect it will wash off.
We experienced no temps above -34C and 3 consecutive nights at -44C at our cabin in northern Sask. between Christmas and New Years. Neither the Venture which will start down to -27C and the Tundra 600 down to -31C would start. This bush rig did the job in an hour or so. The carpet underlay and lumber tarp trapped the heat well but for next time we will have infra-red heater for the generator or propane tanks. There is a brown smoky film over the hood, mirrors and windshield, expect it will wash off.
MNicefisher
Extreme
I tried the same thing but used a hair drier for heat. It was like brining a knife to a gun fight!
Mooseman
I'm not all knowing. Post your question in forum.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2009
- Messages
- 4,109
- Reaction score
- 1,078
- Points
- 1,733
- Location
- Greely, Ontario
- Country
- Canada
- Snowmobile
- '07 Venture MP (gone)
'07 Phazer FX (gone)
'09 Phazer GT (gone)
'10 RS Venture GT (My current ride)
'10 Nytro FX (son's)
- LOCATION
- Greely, ON Canada
It's quite possible the donuts were already shot. Best way to know if they're gone, with the engine idling, block the muffler outlet with a rag and your hand. It should stall if it's not leaking.
If they are leaking, better replace them with copper donuts.
As for the non start, you likely did flood it because each time you try to start it, it squirts more fuel in. Some use a trick before cold starting by priming the fuel pump 3 times before engaging the starter. Basically you would turn the key to the run position and off three times and start it on the third time.
Could also be the decompression spring that comes into play when it's this cold.
If they are leaking, better replace them with copper donuts.
As for the non start, you likely did flood it because each time you try to start it, it squirts more fuel in. Some use a trick before cold starting by priming the fuel pump 3 times before engaging the starter. Basically you would turn the key to the run position and off three times and start it on the third time.
Could also be the decompression spring that comes into play when it's this cold.
MNicefisher
Extreme
I did try that prime thing before starting it but I only did it twice. I'll have to try that trick on plugging the exhaust. Where can I get the copper donuts if needed? I thought there was a sticky on the exhaust but I can't seem to find it, maybe I saw it someplace else.
Mooseman
I'm not all knowing. Post your question in forum.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2009
- Messages
- 4,109
- Reaction score
- 1,078
- Points
- 1,733
- Location
- Greely, Ontario
- Country
- Canada
- Snowmobile
- '07 Venture MP (gone)
'07 Phazer FX (gone)
'09 Phazer GT (gone)
'10 RS Venture GT (My current ride)
'10 Nytro FX (son's)
- LOCATION
- Greely, ON Canada
Sledtoyz has them, which is where I got all of mine:
http://sledtoyz.com/component/virtuemar ... duct_id=97
Another bad thing that happens when the original donuts go, the clamps get loose and rotate on the pipes. They can contact the heat shield and wear a hole in it. Be aware that you might need new bolts when replacing them so not a bad idea to get them before starting so you don't have to wait for them from the dealer.
http://sledtoyz.com/component/virtuemar ... duct_id=97
Another bad thing that happens when the original donuts go, the clamps get loose and rotate on the pipes. They can contact the heat shield and wear a hole in it. Be aware that you might need new bolts when replacing them so not a bad idea to get them before starting so you don't have to wait for them from the dealer.
DaveA
Newbie
In serious cold weather and a heated space to warm the entire snowmobile is unavailable and some type of directed heat would be used, what component would be the best to warm? The oil pan, battery, oil tank, head, injection system or? Thanks, DaveA in frigid Sk.
MNicefisher
Extreme
I'm so happy!!! Went to the garage and started the sled and no smoke came up like before. Did the glove over the exhaust and it killed the motor instantly! Still not sure what it was from before, but the sled ran great after and it's not the exhaust donuts so I'm not going to worry about until it does it again.
daboog
Newbie
Wow, cool apparatus DaveA!
I had a difficult cold start issue this Xmas break. On my 2013 MP with 360km on it.
One morning after sitting for 2 days of -20 to -30c temps and despite having lots of cranking power in the battery my sled wouldn't start. Figured out that the fuel pump relay was clicking with the key twist but was not pushing any fuel (no swooshing sound of moving fuel). Made a tent out a blue tarp and stuck my Mr. Heater Buddy under it (on the right hand side of the front end, all plastics were removed), in 20min I turned the key, heard the swoosh and the sled started in under 3 cranks.
Have any of you had this happen, seems the fuel pump was frozen, or at least a fuel line was? Could be too much water in my fuel (there was condensation on the underside on the gas cap), the fuel was 2 weeks old. So, I am running the Yammy fuel conditioner and a Kleen flo gasoline antifreeze, no problems since
I had a difficult cold start issue this Xmas break. On my 2013 MP with 360km on it.
One morning after sitting for 2 days of -20 to -30c temps and despite having lots of cranking power in the battery my sled wouldn't start. Figured out that the fuel pump relay was clicking with the key twist but was not pushing any fuel (no swooshing sound of moving fuel). Made a tent out a blue tarp and stuck my Mr. Heater Buddy under it (on the right hand side of the front end, all plastics were removed), in 20min I turned the key, heard the swoosh and the sled started in under 3 cranks.
Have any of you had this happen, seems the fuel pump was frozen, or at least a fuel line was? Could be too much water in my fuel (there was condensation on the underside on the gas cap), the fuel was 2 weeks old. So, I am running the Yammy fuel conditioner and a Kleen flo gasoline antifreeze, no problems since
