QuestionWe are novice snowmobilers with two 1987 Polaris Indy Trails. We have had reliability issues in being able to start one of them and also stalling unless someone holds the throttle to keep it going. Just changed all the sparks and put all new gas in and that seemed to eliminate these problems until I got stuck out in the woods in deep snow and the sled was tipping over to the right and the snowmobile stalled. With the help of some stand-up fellow enthusiasts, we got it back on the trail on level ground, but we could not get it started again. I pulled and I pulled and it sounded like it wanted to catch but would not startup. I gave it a half hour to rest and still the same results. Finally our samaritans towed us back to the parking lot and I tried using our car's jump start battery pack and it started right up and ran fine until we were finished loading onto the trailer (have batteries but they have been impossible to maintain and keep charged.)
Last night after the sled had sat for 24 hours, I was able to get it started after two pulls, so I'm thinking maybe it was just flooded - if so, is there any quicker way to clear a flooding problem besides just waiting? Also, why would the jumpstart battery pack be able to start it right up?
Essentially, I'm hoping for any ideas on what the problem could have been and how to get it going again when that happens without lugging our portable jumpstart pack around with us whenever we ride? Just looking for reliability to have the confidence to venture out and enjoy this sport!
AnswerHello Tim,
I didn't notice the comment you posted over on Allexperts until now. Thanks! Sorry for the delay in my response. Yes, it does make sense for the sled to start with the battery pack, even with it being flooded. With the pack, it gives continuous cranking with a continuous speed. As for the spark plugs being fouled, once the sled starts acting like it has no power, and won't idle, then you know they are fouled for sure. Visibly speaking, they will be black all over and wet looking. On a sled that has been tuned carefully and is running good, the spark plugs will be tan colored for the most part, with sometimes just a little black when they are well used. Yes, the carbs should be cleaned, especially if it has been sometime since they were last cleaned. They should be cleaned annually. There aren't a whole lot of good information out there for cleaning carbs. The best info that comes to mind is an online manual by snowmobile fanatics, here is the link: http://www.snowmobilefanatics.com/articles/default.asp?cid=2&aid=13 . There are slight differences in the carb shown here, and the carbs in your sleds, but not enough to cause any confusion. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions at all. good luck with the sleds! --Arcticatman
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Hello Tim,
Novice or not, sleds acting up on the trail really ruins the entire fun of sledding. I think we can work out a solution that will have the Indys going in no time. Yes, the sled was flooded for sure when it went on it's side. One thing to keep in mind, is that all snowmobiles do foul plugs, and they do it often. Generally, no set of plugs will last longer than a week on an older sled that is driven often. Here is what I do when I get a flooded carb. First, turn the key or kill switch to the off position. Crank the sled over 5-6 times. Next, remove the spark plugs. If the engine is really hot, you may want to wait a few minutes before removing the plugs. After a flooding, it's pretty rare to get the old plugs to fire anytime soon. After removing the plugs, crank the engine over another 8-9 times, very sharply. Now, install a new set of plugs. Turn they key back on, and it should start instantly with a few pulls. It's a wise idea to always carry spare plugs and a wrench to install them with you. Now, as for why the sled started with the batter pack, the electric starter on the sled turns it the engine over at a high RPM. All sleds are different, some need a very high cranking RPM to start. You may want to install a new battery. They can be expensive. None of the cheap batteries will work well. After being charged, they will only give your sled a slow crank, and the die. When I say cheap, I mean Parts Unlimited or YUSA batteries. Everstart batteries are another brand that really won't last long enough to help you get it started. Champion DRAG and Interstate batteries work very well. If the sleds continue to have trouble starting with new batteries, this would indicate that the sleds need their charging systems tested or replaced. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions! Good luck, and happy trails! --Arcticatman
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