Cold Weather Starting

[XTC500]

Had my first chance this past week to put my 2010 Vector to the cold weather start test up near Cochrane. 1st morning at -26C it started with no problem. 2nd morning at -31C it started, but the battery was pretty much done by the time it started. I can say with some confidence that if it had been -32C it wouldn't have started. 3rd morning at -38C it would barely turn over. I borrowed a portable battery/charger from another group staying in the same motel. After about 15-20 attempts it started. I didn't want to borrow the battery/charger a second morning, so I went to CTC & bought a $10 hair dryer. 4th morning it was about -32C. I pointed the hair dryer towards the base of the engine as best I could with the front cowl removed, threw a blanket over it & in 1/2 an hour it started up easily. I un-successfully attempted to remove the side panels for better access to the base of the engine. The snap that holds the bottom of the panel, both sides, wouldn't let go. At those temps I was afraid I would break the snap. I don't know what I would have done if I had to replace a belt at those temps. Probably be replacing a side panel as well.
Other than the difficulty starting in the cold temps, the only other problem was the fuel pump relay freezing up while we had breakfast one morning. Hair dryer to the rescue again.
Next year the Vector will have a block heater & a replaced relay. (assuming a new relay will have the freeze-up problem fixed) I'm going to look at the side panel snaps to see if & can do something to make the release easier.

 

[Indy]

If the battery wont turn the engine over, it's time for a new and maybe different battery. I have an Optima knock off in mine, never had a problem for 3/4 years. Why don't you install your own block heater, maybe a 30 minute install once you get to the hose. surley you can pick one up at any automotive parts store up there. If the other sleds start and yours doesnt, time for a new battery.

 

[XTC500]

I think my battery is in good condition before the trip & still is good after the trip. I know I drew down the battery in the portable battery/charger. It would have had trouble if it had needed to start another sled without a charge & it was a full size car battery. I would want to install the block heater myself. Has there been any instructions posted here?

 

[jonteman]

tank heater works great

http://stenmansmotor.se/visa_produkt.as ... 87&lang=sv

 

[jonteman]

Cable. One hour of installation in -15 C the engine is warm and the warning light turns off in 30 seconds if I use it a half an hour.

 

[Bradford]

Hey XTC500, what are you using for oil?

 

[dexter]

I installed the yami inline coolant heater and it works great.

 

[XTC500]

Hey XTC500, what are you using for oil?

I'm using Yamalube 0W30 semi-synthetic.

 

[gbpack]

I installed the yami inline coolant heater and it works great.

What hose did you splice it into ?

 

[4strokeluvr111]

I'm using Yamalube 0W30 semi-synthetic.

Suggest using a FULL synthetic in your situation.

Also, being that your sled is EFI, most EFI systems are very sensitive to battery voltage. As you know the battery voltage drops in very cold weather. In my 10 years on this site I can't say I recall hearing of any Vector, Venture, etc. 3 cyl EFI motor starting issues (this statement DOES NOT apply to the Viper). Usually the challenge in the coldest weather has been getting the engine to turn over at all.

Is it possible that you have a sensor that's failing? This will be my first year on an EFI Vector so I don't know all the in's and out's of the system yet. If a sensor fails, what happens? Does the "check engine" light come on? Can a dealer put some kind of scan tool on the system to check sensor readings? I'll have to reach out to my dealer....he'll answer my questions.

So, I guess here's what I'd suggest:

1. Get a trickle charger such as any of the Optimate series of chargers. ANY charger that keeps a battery good for 10 years (have the same Yuasa battery in my 05 Vector going on 10 years) gets my vote. Plug it in any time you can.

2. If you don't have a Yuasa battery, get one. They are simply the best for snowmobiles. Don't know why but they just work and last a long time.

3. Install an inline coolant heater. I have the Yamaha one on my 05 Vector but I never use it as my sleds are inside when I'm home and I've never had an issue starting even at -25F when I'm not at home.

4. Install a battery pad heater. A warm battery is a happy battery.

5. See if your dealer can scan your system for failing sensors. I'm going to reach out to my dealer today and will edit this post to reflect what he says.

EDIT - dealer states that there's no way to check sensors but is very confident that if you put in the upgraded RED fuel pump relay your problems will go away. Easy to change...do it ASAP!

 

[Simon Forest]

I see this old post came alive again. If you search this topic you'll find many reports that the in-line heaters don't work well with the EFI engines. Something about tricking the engine into thinking it'a warm start instead of a cold start. I replaced my relay with the red one last fall. Also last fall I installed 2 of the Kat's silicone pad heaters.

I stuck one on the bottom of the engine beside the oil filter & one on the oil tank. I leave them plugged in over night & it worked great down to below -32C in Rouyn Noranda last winter. It was particularly satisfying the same morning watching my buddy us a hair dryer to warm up his 800 etech. It was so cold the e-start or his arms couldn't pull it over fast enough to get it to fire.