Cold Weather Starting

So, i just tried to start my machine its only -5F outside, put a heat gun, engine temp said 44F. I used the key and cycled through a few times, then started cranking, then gave it a little throttle, started to kick on then nothing, i cranked a little bit more and the battery started to bog down so I stopped. I just put a trickle charger on, but I think I'm back to dragging it up to a warm shop for the night. I also filled both tanks full of gas and put ISO Heet, maybe that will help.
 
With a strong battery, it should have fired at those temps. I Always keep a battery tender on not matter what. Never mine the nay sayers. And double check that the battery terminals are tight. They Will loosen up. Not sure how, but they do.
My latest sled had not loose, but not tight enough terminals from the dealer. I put LocTite Blue on the threads, and Not the contact points of the cables, to keep them snug.
Thanks for keeping us posted. Relays will be sent Wednesday. Merry Christmas!
 
FrozenTows4 said:
With a strong battery, it should have fired at those temps. I Always keep a battery tender on not matter what. Never mine the nay sayers. And double check that the battery terminals are tight. They Will loosen up. Not sure how, but they do.
My latest sled had not loose, but not tight enough terminals from the dealer. I put LocTite Blue on the threads, and Not the contact points of the cables, to keep them snug.
Thanks for keeping us posted. Relays will be sent Wednesday. Merry Christmas!
Click to expand...
Do you put the tender on 6v or 12v? You keep yours on overnight and everything?
 
12vdc. Tender plugged in when I'm not riding. Including all summer long.

021-0128-Plus-12V_R_3.jpg
 
FrozenTows4 said:
12vdc. Tender plugged in when I'm not riding. Including all summer long.

021-0128-Plus-12V_R_3.jpg
Click to expand...
Just bought the tender online, i have a tender but its not quite the same. However, i had the tender on their for a couple of hours and I just got it started! Maybe thats the trick. I took the tender off when i went to start it, should i take it off or keep it on when starting the machine?
 
ArcticRider said:
Just bought the tender online, i have a tender but its not quite the same. However, i had the tender on their for a couple of hours and I just got it started! Maybe thats the trick. I took the tender off when i went to start it, should i take it off or keep it on when starting the machine?
Click to expand...
I take off but only because I forgot once and took off with it plugged in!
 
I have a solution to cold starting if you can leave your sled near an outlet. This solution does not require removal of the clutch, nor does it heat the coolant directly. You don't need to carry a heat gun of tear panels off you sled to get a heat gun in there. I installed this on my sled before the first ride and also on a friends Viper. I hope the link works and that you can see the pictures on the Ontario Conditions site. Here goes.

http://ontarioconditions.com/forums...-starting-issues/&tab=comments#comment-224509
 
Big Pussy said:
I have a solution to cold starting if you can leave your sled near an outlet. This solution does not require removal of the clutch, nor does it heat the coolant directly. You don't need to carry a heat gun of tear panels off you sled to get a heat gun in there. I installed this on my sled before the first ride and also on a friends Viper. I hope the link works and that you can see the pictures on the Ontario Conditions site. Here goes.

http://ontarioconditions.com/forums...-starting-issues/&tab=comments#comment-224509
Click to expand...
It wont let me see anything.
 
In this post I would like to address issues that some have had starting their Yamaha 1049 cc 4-stroke engines. This is not only a Viper/7000 issue but I have also witnessed it on a Vector. It happened in Cochrane with morning temperatures below -30C. From what I could see the engine would crank somewhat slowly and try to fire but just not start and stay running. The battery was not down, the oil in the main and rod bearings was just too thick to get a good fast cranking speed to get good cylinder pressure to start. The battery in my 7000 is even smaller, I believe, than in the Vector. That along with the fragile starter idler gear issue, made me decide to add some heaters to eliminate this issue when the temps are real cold. Playing around with hair dryers and booster boxes is not a good way to start the day, especially when your small 2-stroke buddies have their engines running and are ready to go.



A proven solution to this problem that has been done on the Vector, is to heat the lower portion of the engine. There has been no starting issues since, no matter how cold is gets. This solution does not heat the engine coolant therefore does not trick the ECM into a no cold start routine. The heaters used are only 50 watts each and are plugged in at the end of the day to keep the lower engine cases warm enough to keep the oil around the main bearings from getting thick. They do not get too hot all night due to their low power. The heaters we used were Kat's Silicone Pad Self Adhesive CSA approved 2" x 5" 3-prong part number 26050. They are available on Amazon.ca for about $32.95 each.



I mounted the first heater on the smooth surface of the bottom of the oil pan. There is an area that is just the right size for this 2x5 inch heater. Clean the surface with some solvent so it has no dirt or oil and let it flash off. Stick the heater on and firmly press it down so there is no air voids between the pad and the pan. Add a bead of high temp silicone around the edge to seal out any oil or water from getting under the pad that could loosen it.







I mounted the second heater to the front side of the engine block in the flat area above the pan rail. I had to smooth the area of casting flash with a die grinder and Scotch-Brite disk.







Run the cables away from any hot pipes over to the right foot well. I covered the cords with split plastic wire loom and then wrapped the loom with aluminum duct tape to reflect heat.







When the heaters are not needed down in the south, the cord ends are tucked up under the plastic tank cover. All you need to carry is a triple tap 5 meter extension cord. Make sure you buy a lighted end so you know there is power in the outlet. I use the third tap with a short cord over to my other sled parked beside. You will be able to unplug the cord and wrap it up during packing and jump on the sled, turn the key and go. You can watch others fight with hair dryers removing covers and trying to borrow booster boxes while you let the engine warm up.



Happy sledding !

BP
 
Interesting idea, I look forward hearing how it works for others. As I said in my initial reply I do not have a 1049 ... but I have one coming in a VK PRO ll and was really wondering how it would be to start. I'd have a generator with me anyway and this is pretty straight forward.

In the past, I have considered putting one of these on the battery.

Thanks for taking the time to post this Big Pussy(I can't believe I just typed that). ArcticRider, if you go with this post the results!
 
YukonMP said:
Interesting idea, I look forward hearing how it works for others. As I said in my initial reply I do not have a 1049 ... but I have one coming in a VK PRO ll and was really wondering how it would be to start. I'd have a generator with me anyway and this is pretty straight forward.

In the past, I have considered putting one of these on the battery.

Thanks for taking the time to post this Big Pussy(I can't believe I just typed that). ArcticRider, if you go with this post the results!
Click to expand...
Ok, will do, I'm on amazon right now looking for the materials.
 
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