Genesis 120 Plug Fouling

[Paul_C]

Today I attempted to start my Venture for its first ride of the season. It was in a cold garage (20 deg F) and started on full choke after about the second or third try and ran decently. As it warmed up, I began to slide the choke lever to the right towards the off position. I always try to turn the choke off as quickly as the engine will allow. I did it a bit too quickly and killed the engine. I moved the choke lever a bit to the left, but not to the full choke position, and tried to start the engine. It would not turn over no matter how I manipulated the choke or throttle. I finally pulled a spark plug, which was gas fouled, and replaced it with a brand new one. I was able to start the engine on one cylinder and after a few moments coerced the other two cylinders to life.

This happened to me last year, also for the first ride of the season. The sled ran well for the entire season after I replaced the old (less than 200 mi) plugs with new plugs.

Today, once I got it running, I ran the sled for about two hours and it ran perfectly.

What am I doing wrong here? I have never drained or cleaned the carbs in the off season, but use a gas stabilizer and store the sled with a full tank of treated fuel.

 

[thrasher]

In the off season I put Seafoam in the gas, or you can use a good fuel stabaliser. If I start my sled once a month, I never have any issues with starting. Full choke to start with, even in the summer, as she warms up I start to slide the choke back in increments, all the while being prepared to give it some throttle if she going to stall. The secret is not letting it stall, as can be a pain to get it going again. Just let it warm up until the running board heat exchangers are hot and shut her down. As for the plugs, I just put a set of Iridium IX plugs in and forget ( good for 100,000 km in a car ). I have never fouled a plug in a car, four stroke motor ever, even in my lawnmower or snowblower. Two stroke motors, you need to carry plugs in all your pockets. If you pull a plug and it's wet, just dry it off and put it back in, you may want to let the cylinders dry out a little first though. First tank of gas for the season it doesn't hurt to add carb or injector cleaner to it as well, and then go for a good ride.

 

[Bowhunter]

I had the same problem with my wifes 06 nitro this year, could not get it started, fuel was stablized, I replaced the plugs, it started but ran poorly, next I got rid of the old gas and put some premium in and it ran like a dream.

 

[Groomerdriver]

Only time I've ever fouled a plug on my 05 was when I touched the gas while the choke was on.

If when taking the choke down in increments and the sled dies, I go to full choke, and when the sled starts, I start backing down again. I rarely have the engine die while warming up, but if/when I do, the above has always worked for me.

Don't worry too much about it.

 

[Attak44]

I'm confused, your initial post said after it died you could not get it to "turn over no matter what you tried" then you replaced and plug and it started.
I'm not sure how replacing a plug would aid in the engine turning over?

I alway's follow the same procedure as groomer driver and have never had a problem in either my 05 or 08.

I also take my time in sliding the choke off.

 

[Groomerdriver]

I'm confused, your initial post said after it died you could not get it to "turn over no matter what you tried" then you replaced and plug and it started.
I'm not sure how replacing a plug would aid in the engine turning over?

I alway's follow the same procedure as groomer driver and have never had a problem in either my 05 or 08.

I also take my time in sliding the choke off.

I think he meant getting it to fire.

 

[Paul_C]

Correct. By "turning over" I meant getting the engine to run.