super cold start ideas

[Budweiser]

In Quebec 2 years ago it got to to -40f. 2 06 Attacks and a 07 Vector wouldn't start. They all started the day before at -30. Batteries cranked for a long while but just couldn't crank it fast enough. We finally hooked them up to battery chargers to give them a little extra power and they finally started. The 6 2-stroke Ski-Doos next to us fired right up and away they went! Embarressing! Mine had synthetic oil also. I would think that if you had one sled running with a battery you could jump it.

Do you have a generator at your camp? Then all you'd need would be a battery charger.

 

[Mooseman]

Has anybody ever tried Quick Start (aka: ether) on a 4 stroke sled? I know it's a big no-no on a 2-smokes but what about 4 strokes?

Why would ether be bad for 2-strokes? I've carried ether since I've started sledding it is amazing what that stuff can do...You don't need a lot of it, just enough to get it to catch for a few cycles.

I've used it on my 01 SXR 700 and have helped a bunch of people on the side of the trail (one guy was actually at the gas pump when his Doo wouldn't start. He kept pulling and pulling and pulling and finally my father grabbed our spare can, showed him how to use it, started his sled up and gave him the can just in case).

I was kinda curious how it would work on 4-strokes too though...I would be a little more cautious about using it in such a complex engine like ours.

I must have been misinformed about the two strokes. Maybe I was thinking about alcohol or something. Anyway, I know ether is great on diesels and 4 strokes. Started my fuel injected truck a couple of times in -30C no problem at all. I can't imagine that our 4 strokes would be any different. They all work on the same principle. I even think that our sleds are less complicated than most cars since they are not subjected to the same anti-pollution requirements. I'm pretty sure it would work.

 

[Mooseman]

How about this for a plan when you have more than one sled... When trying to start in really cold weather, jumper all the batteries together, start the first sled, then the next, and so on. Contrary to popular belief, the vehicle boosting the other does not have to be running. Booster packs work on the same principle. The only thing though is if the first sled fails to start and drains all the batteries, you're all hooped.

One guy in another forum added a lawn tractor battery to his Venture MP and tied it down in the luggage rack.
http://www.snowmobileforum.com/yamaha-s ... start.html

 

[the kitchen]

Hand warmers layed across the injector rails works great, also works well with carbs. Lay six across and they generate the added heat needed to get it going.
If you get out first and set them in the two stroke guy's will never know!

 

[nytrose]

years ago my buddys SRX 700 had trouble starting,we took some newspaper rolled it up like a funnel up to my exhaust and warmed up his carbs for 2 minutes.Fired right up.

 

[YamahaMainer]

How about this for a plan when you have more than one sled... When trying to start in really cold weather, jumper all the batteries together, start the first sled, then the next, and so on.

Great idea! I'll have to remember that when out on the trail

 

[aceltx09]

Small amount of ether is fine for the two smokes, might be mistaken for a diesel. Ether is a big NO NO in diesel engines.

 

[grapeape]

Yamaha's coolant heater workes good, used it on the rx at -42, hairdrier under the hood works well, my Apex started at -38 with a battery that is 1/2 the size of the stocker no problems. I do cycle the key a couple times as well.

 

[Mooseman]

Small amount of ether is fine for the two smokes, might be mistaken for a diesel. Ether is a big NO NO in diesel engines.

My brother in law uses it for his old diesel tractor and has had no ill effect. I think it's only on more recent machines that ether could be bad, as per this I found at AllExperts:
"On the ether subject. You can use ether on diesel engines, BUT it is advised to not do so IF you haven't been showed how. The reason people are told not to use ether is because of glow plugs. The Ford diesel you are working on has glow plugs in it. If you spray ether into the engine and cycle the glow plugs you can actually blow a piston out of the engine (in rare cases!). The best way to use ether is to have someone turn the engine over First, then spay ether while it is turning over, AND keep turning the engine over for about 5 seconds AFTER you stop spraying the ether. Only spray it in small bursts."

And Wikipedia had this to say about 2 strokes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starting_fluid:
"Starting fluid is not recommended for two-stroke engines, because it has no lubricating qualities. The lubricating oil for these engines is mixed with the fuel. There is also a risk of igniting the mixture in the crankcase."

I don't think that lubrication should be an issue since it runs for so short a time on it and most are oil injected anyway.

 

[WinderFab]

X2 on the coolant heater, it does work

i also put a oil pan heater on the oil tank , probably doesn't do any thing but i had it so why not,

i haven't had any problems yet starting my sled in the -40's 'C , i carry a little extension cord and plug it in at the motel at night, especially northern Ontario/Quebec

 

[FrostyNutz]

I learned to carry a few of those HOt Shot hand warmers years ago . The old phazers loved to injest water and freeze the carbs over night . Shake up a couple of those little things and lay them on the carbs for 10 mins . Vaaaroom badding ding ding ding LOL

As for leaving a battery in the cabin ,, buy a 15w solar panel and charge controller,, it will stay charged and won't freeze. I run 4 deep cycle batteries at the cabin with a 30w solar panel and a 1200w inverter . It runs the tv , lights , tunes etc .. now I only turn on the generator if i'm in for a few nights

 

[snappy]

On our week long sled trip in northern Quebec last year I had starting issues on two occasions, -30 C something temps.

Poured hot water over the throttle bodies to get her going, amazed at the life of the battery, no problem cranking it over for extended periods.

Next time will fill with premium before the end of the day to ensure cold start next morning when it's in the -30 overnight.

PS: I carried around jumper cables since new, never used them yet.

Kaz

premium fuel is actually harder to burn and would not help that issue.

 

[snappy]

Has anybody ever tried Quick Start (aka: ether) on a 4 stroke sled? I know it's a big no-no on a 2-smokes but what about 4 strokes?

Why would ether be bad for 2-strokes? I've carried ether since I've started sledding it is amazing what that stuff can do...You don't need a lot of it, just enough to get it to catch for a few cycles.

I've used it on my 01 SXR 700 and have helped a bunch of people on the side of the trail (one guy was actually at the gas pump when his Doo wouldn't start. He kept pulling and pulling and pulling and finally my father grabbed our spare can, showed him how to use it, started his sled up and gave him the can just in case).

I was kinda curious how it would work on 4-strokes too though...I would be a little more cautious about using it in such a complex engine like ours.

I must have been misinformed about the two strokes. Maybe I was thinking about alcohol or something. Anyway, I know ether is great on diesels and 4 strokes. Started my fuel injected truck a couple of times in -30C no problem at all. I can't imagine that our 4 strokes would be any different. They all work on the same principle. I even think that our sleds are less complicated than most cars since they are not subjected to the same anti-pollution requirements. I'm pretty sure it would work.

ether can blow a hole in a diesel piston if too much is used and it dries up the oil in a two stroke cylinder and is not recomended. probably safest on all 4 strokes.

 

[YamahaMainer]

Well after reading all these, I think the rule of thumb for ALL engines when using ether is "Use Sparingly!" Ether is a great tool to use in those emergency situations but should not be used on a regular basis. Basically, if your vehicle needs starter fluid for more than a few jumps, there's something wrong with the engine.

 

[Irv]

Well after reading all these, I think the rule of thumb for ALL engines when using ether is "Use Sparingly!" Ether is a great tool to use in those emergency situations but should not be used on a regular basis. Basically, if your vehicle needs starter fluid for more than a few jumps, there's something wrong with the engine.

I agree, ether "SHOULD ONLY" be used when absolutely necessary.