When preparing your snowmobile this winter, you’ll sometimes experience that your snowmobile is not starting.
Spark, air, and fuel are the main things that make the snowmobile engine work correctly. It will help if you have adequately taken care of these to avoid any problems in the sled.
This can be a big problem if your snowmobile gets stuck in the snow. So, let’s find out how to inspect a snowmobile that is not running correctly.
What To Do If a Snowmobile is Not Starting?
If you are wondering what you should do if your snowmobile is not starting. Keep reading:
Check the Spark
The spark will help ignite the air/fuel mixture to start.
The first place which should be checked is the spark plugs. You can remove them and plug them back into the plug caps to test.
The next step includes grounding the plug on the head bolt and turning the motor over. If there’s a spark, it is visible.
You will have to change the plugs if there is a no or weak spark. The cost of spark plugs is nothing compared to the price of your snowmobile.
If there is still no spark, there can be an issue with the electrical system. Make sure to check all the electric components. All the electronic components can play a crucial role and can hence the sled to fire.
Air/ Fuel Mixture
If you have a sled that has not been running for a long time, the carbs and the gas lines can quickly dry out, thus making it difficult to start the sled. You can use the starting fluid or carb cleaner.
The engine should fire when the fuel is sprayed in the carburetor intake; this will help draw the gas with the help of the fuel system.
The engine can stall after it is done running off of the starting fluid if the gas is not being drawn through.
It would help if you did this in a restricted manner as the starting fluid won’t lubricate the engine in addition to the mixed gas or the oil injection of the motor.
The engine could become flooded if it’s over choked while trying to start. The choke can be turned off, and the spark can be plugged out to fix it; it should be done until all the fuel is dissolute. Now clean the plug and put it back in.
You can drain the excess gas from the drain plugs, which are located on the end case, which is at the lower end.
If the sled floods out immediately or does not get into the combustion chamber, you should clean them.
Ensure that the fuel pump, lines, and filters are in excellent condition.
Low/No Compression
If your snowmobile is not starting, please check whether you have low or no compression in one or all cylinders.
Enough reduction should be there to compress the air/fuel mixture; this will, in turn, raise the mixture’s temperature and will be hence enough to start the combustion process.
A tester can also help you check the compression on the sled’s cylinder. If the compression is low, you should check it out and take the head off.
Low compression can be worn-out piston rings, a scored cylinder or piston, or several other reasons.
Final Words
You shouldn’t worry if your snowmobile is not starting. There can be several reasons for the snowmobile not working.
The main reasons for engine failure are the spark, air, and fuel.
You can take several preventive methods before starting the snowmobile.
Also, follow the safety tips whenever you go snowmobiling.
If the snowmobile is not starting after all the techniques, you should get the snowmobile checked from the garage nearby.
