Snowmobile Repair: No fuel to carb., full tank, denniskirk

Question
I have an old 1981 Skidoo Everest500 that has been sitting for a number of years.Ive cleaned the carb and replaced all the gas lines on it because they were hard as a rock. The motor will start with a little gas in the cylinders but it doesnt draw fuel from the tank.I blew out the filter on the line in the bottom of the gas tank. Also, operating the primer doesnt suck fuel in. What is that small block that the fuel line enters and exits,and it also has a line going to the bottom of the motor. Is it a filter and could that be plugged? How does the motor create the vacuum needed and do you need to prime the system some way other than using the primer?  

Answer
Hello Gerry,

  This is a common problem for a sled that has sat for sometime and is an easy fix. The little block you see is the fuel pump. It works by using a hose from the engine to get impulses, which in turn operates the small diaphragms inside of it, pumping the fuel to the carb. I would recommend either replacing the fuel pump which is ideal, here is a link to new ones, and rebuild kits. http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/search/SearchResults.jsp;jsessionid=5CCDUWCC0213BL...  they don't cost much. One thing that is really important to pay attention to is the line going from the engine to the pump, it may be leaking. I would recommend that you replace the filter, you can get a new one through www.denniskirk.com for less than 5 dollars. One last, and very important thing to check, is the inlet needle in the carburetor. Make sure it's not sticking and causing the fuel to be restricted from entering the carburetor. Make sure there is nearly a full tank in the sled to start out, too. These are the basics, and no, the primer is probably just shot, but it sounds like you are using it properly. Hope this helps, let me know if this doesn't get it going. good luck with the Doo! --Arcticatman