Started sled today and...

[Murse]

Been going every week to where my sled is stored indoors but non heated garage. Start it up to keep the battery alive and keep things turning leave it run for 5 mins spin the track for 5 seconds and shut her down. Today start her up and was idling weird. 2 things I think there may be a leak in the exhaust cause I can hear motor noise under neath gas tank/handlebars where the track comes down and today it sounded like it was running on 3 cylinders instead of all 4. I've been on the gas light and the machine has been idling like this for months. Could this be carbon build up and bad donuts? 5 mins run when the snow comes and machine will wake up? My mechanic says once it gets run properly on trail will clear up with good gas. Any feed back would be appreciated. Sled needs a tune up battery charge and grease, a fuse or 2. The handle bar warmers seem to not be working either but is this an idle thing will they be back to what they were ( working normally and heating well last season ) once I run it down the trail?

 

[ecopter]

Worst thing you can do in the off season is start the sled up; even periodically. I think the only reason owners do it is to hear their engine.......you know, cool sound. If the sled was properly stored after winter, there would be no need to start it. Fuel either drained or stabilized (I prefer draining), engine fogged, battery removed and stored inside on a trickle charger, etc.... The other mistake on starting them is they're often not run long enough to get thoroughly hot. Five minutes is probably just too short and doing this over and over has fouled your plugs.

My advice would be to change your plugs, drain the fuel and put fresh gas in it. Start it up and let it get nice and warm. Both running boards should be hot; not just the right one. I could be wrong, but I believe this will solve your erratic running problems. And stop starting the sled during the summer. Put it away properly and forget about it.

Jon

 

[Murse]

Thanks for the reply, I always thought that running a motor was good for it but you are absolutely right idling a motor for too long and not reaching optimal temperature results in fouled plugs... Proper storage next summer is taken under huge consideration, will do! Thanks again.

 

[copo427ss]

Ethanol fuel separation is a huge problem nowadays. Also when you start an engine it doesn't run long enough it builds up condensation, usually under the valve cover. Under normal running the engine gets hot enough to evaporate and push the moist air out. But when run for short periods it will build up under the valve cover and leave a milky residue from the oil and water mix. I stabilize my fuel. Get my track off the shop floor. But the battery on an optimate. Spray fogging oil down the intakes. And I also grease my sled before storage.

 

[kinger]

You need to add fresh fuel the pump is probably sucking air water from the tank being empty. Put fresh in and get it to idle smooth then see if you have the exhaust leak.

Also handwarmers wont work until your over 5000 rpm.

I'm in favor of running the sled during the summer as long as you get it good and hot before shutting down.

 

[tomanytoyz]

Worst thing you can do in the off season is start the sled up; even periodically. I think the only reason owners do it is to hear their engine.......you know, cool sound. If the sled was properly stored after winter, there would be no need to start it. Fuel either drained or stabilized (I prefer draining), engine fogged, battery removed and stored inside on a trickle charger, etc.... The other mistake on starting them is they're often not run long enough to get thoroughly hot. Five minutes is probably just too short and doing this over and over has fouled your plugs.

My advice would be to change your plugs, drain the fuel and put fresh gas in it. Start it up and let it get nice and warm. Both running boards should be hot; not just the right one. I could be wrong, but I believe this will solve your erratic running problems. And stop starting the sled during the summer. Put it away properly and forget about it.

Jon

I start my machine every 2 weeks,spring summer fall winter,let it run for 5min then rev it up and down a little for another five.no issues,been doing this for 6yrs.no carbon build up,battery always fresh,all seals in great shape,injectors get to spray etc,etc,etc.always sea-foam in tank with a splash of fuel when light comes on.now using Engine MX see how it gos.i start EVERYTHING i own every 2 weeks,fires right up running perfectly everytime no issues ever.care about my stuff to much to let sit...lots of people dont have the time or access to do this...

 

[raginyamaha]

I run mine once a month on a stand and get it up to trail ridin temp, Not possible for some but i like to hear my engine...... 5 min is way to short gotta let her run longer than that and not just at idle. Fresh gas and spark plugs and ul be good. Then plug the exhaust and see if the sled dies, will tell you if ur dougnuts are bad... Dies ok, still runs bad. GL

 

[judger101]

i was scared one day when i went out and my sled wouldnt stay running. fouled plugs bad from not letting nit get up to temp!

 

[ecopter]

Like I said, starting your sled, or any other "out of season" engine is unnecessary if put away for storage properly. Just wearin' out parts IMO.

jf

 

[Murse]

The sled is stored indoors and off of the floor with a jack stand, I start it twice a week but I am not letting it warm up hot enough so yes carbon and condensation build up for sure. I was told that the first run with fresh gas will be rough for a few km's but after a good run will clean out and run as it was. I was also told that the Genesis motor is prone to this because its a performance motor and likes to be driven. Bike guys have told me this. I just was taught to always start something that is sitting whether it be a few times a month or so. My purpose was to keep battery from dying and keep things tuning. I will let idle longer so that it warms up to a good temp. At this point I'll just wait the 2 months for snow before she starts again. Keep battery on trickle charge until then. Just got paranoid because the sled is new to me only rode it 1200km's or so end of season last year. Hearing it run like that freaked me out! LOL Thanks for the replies very helpful.

 

[Murse]

Exhaust sounds easy to fix will plug her in the garage after first snow fall see if it is leaking, need to do a pre season check before putting on the high miles this year.

 

[sleddog66]

Dont just put on a trickle charger...you will boil the battery. Make sure that it is a smart float charger.

 

[Murse]

Solved! Fresh gas idles great had it out today for a yard run and she puuuuurs LOL. we got a few inches of snow today. Thanks for the info!

 

[APEX 06]

I run mine once a month on a stand and get it up to trail ridin temp, Not possible for some but i like to hear my engine...... 5 min is way to short gotta let her run longer than that and not just at idle. Fresh gas and spark plugs and ul be good. Then plug the exhaust and see if the sled dies, will tell you if ur dougnuts are bad... Dies ok, still runs bad. GL

On a stand and give it hell for a few to get it up to trail temp, just point it at a wall not a open door way. Lol

 

[Sasquatch]

I run mine in the summer but not a couple times a week. Once every couple of months till hot. I siphon out most of the fuel and add sea foam. I keep a battery tender on it in the summer in the garage. When winter comes I fill it with freash fuel and go!