Having just come out of a short spell of cold weather approaching -40º I had the opportunity to use a few tricks that often help get cold fuel burning and engines running.

Boiling water is indispensible. A bit on cylinder heads speeds up the ignition time considerably whether the machine is fan or liquid cooled. It is also good for carbs or "chokes" that want to get iced up. The problem with using it around the carbs is that water can find its way inside where it will cause another and more serious freeze up when the machine is shut down long enough to cool down again. (You need to make sure the throttle moves freely when you go to start up again.) Usually keeping it going for a couple of hours will allow the moisture to work its way out, however, so it wouldn't be a problem on a day's ride.

A trick I used to use was to pull the plugs and heat them on a stove in a gas flame or heat the pulled plugs with a propane torch. This method often requires several cycles of removal and replacement.

Another method, this one a bit risky, is to play a propane torch over the cylinders (and exhaust manifold) for a bit before attempting to start the engine. It often makes the difference on a very cold machine. There is an obvious risk of catching the whole thing on fire - not good- but that risk can be minimized if you are certain that you have no fuel leakage problems and you keep the flame away from all fuel lines.

put a shop light on the cylinder heads and close the hood.works every time. ;)

Best trick going, keep em properly tuned up with good fuel and synthetic oil.

Rick.

-40 is alot colder than I ever have to worry about thank God!

For where I live, the only trick I need is to use the choke and pull it over! :)

I have one of those anti-freeze heaters on my ZRT, just plug it in. :D

A room temperature can of WD-40 makes great SAFE quick start.

Anyone that rides in -40 should have a block heater!!

Last year while snowmobiling in Canada, my Dad's sled wouldn't start in the mornings. :cussing: The guy at the hotel we were staying at brought out an old hot air pop corn popper. The popper had an aluminum stove pipe with an elbow joint fixed on the end of it. The guy aimed it at the cylinder and carb, shut the hood, and 15-20 minutes later, the sled started right up. :thumbsup:

Stick an interior car warmer under the hood and throw a blanket over the works. For me, full choke two pulls and vroooom.

Borrow your wifes blow dryer. My sleds have always been good starters, but I used to use a blow dryer to warm up one of my ATVs in extreme cold.

Another is to take a towel and run nice hot water all over it. Wring it out and throw it over your engine. It sucks the frost right out of the cylinders in about 10-15 mins. It will start like it's July. :)

Call me nuts, but at -40 below I could care less if my sled starts or not! I'll be in my truck.(with the heater on). Some good ideas though.

:( What if your truck won't start??

anyone ever hear of a snowmobile cover,works for me........ !!!

Originally posted by MXZ4ME@Jan 17 2003, 05:58 AM
Call me nuts, but at -40 below I could care less if my sled starts or not! I'll be in my truck.(with the heater on). Some good ideas though.


:D My sno-go is my "truck." I'd much rather ride (properly dressed) on a snowmachine for 5 miles than in a cold truck or car where all you can do is shiver. I have three options getting to work: walk, drive the honda, or ride the sno-go. Honda doesn't start easily if at all at -40 and is a harder ride than the sno-go. Of course the snowmachine is no picnic either as "stiff" is understating the suspension, etc. One other bit of good stuff I have learned is that Citgo's Sea and Snow (semi-synthetic) is nice and loose at low temps, a lot more than I can say about A/C oils.

i fired mine up last night it was -35. no problem what so ever started second pull just left the choke on for a little longer. if you gonna be running your sled in these temps get some gas line antifreeze, its a life saver.

I use a shot of either when ever my bigger sled has sat for more than a week in the cold, or more than a month in the warm weather. It has a choke as opposed to a primer ( the primer sled always fires second pull) I`m not saying I would have a problem starting it but I dont like to pull more than twice.... a shot of ether no matter how cold will get the mojo workin..

on my zrt 800s if it was that cold, a few drips of gas in the cylinders . this would start them alot better.

Two cold weather tricks I always use are
1) remove your belt the nite before and take it in the house with you.
2) spin the track on your track stand before you shut down in really cold weather (removes all snow and ice). This makes it much easier to break free on fridgid days.
---- gas line anti freeze for sure, and make sure your throttle cable isn't stuck

Originally posted by Neckbones@Jan 16 2003, 02:21 PM
Last year while snowmobiling in Canada, my Dad's sled wouldn't start in the mornings. :cussing: The guy at the hotel we were staying at brought out an old hot air pop corn popper. *The popper had an aluminum stove pipe with an elbow joint fixed on the end of it. *The guy aimed it at the cylinder and carb, shut the hood, and 15-20 minutes later, the sled started right up. :thumbsup:
:D

Ben der don dat :p

Ever have to work on a sled at -20- 30c

Those Pop corn heaters are GREAT as they throw hot air right at you where you need it :sly: They work better than a hair drier or ceramic heater for instant heat.

When I want to go out sledding in the morning when it is -30c I usually put a ceramic heater under the hood for about ten minutes :pAnd then pull the cord and sled is reading to go, :) It sure beats waiting out in the cold waiting for the sled to warm up to operating temp

lmfao @ mxz4me hows the song go well is -40 i dont give a :cussing: got a heater in the truck and iam off to the rodeo........ :D :D :D gotta love it

i thought it was funny

Originally posted by ballsout1@Jan 18 2003, 06:13 PM
I use a shot of ether.... a shot of ether no matter how cold will get the mojo workin..
And just a tiny bit too much ether and the mojos will come shootin out the exhaust ports in pieces. I highly recommend you use room temp WD-40 as a safe substitute for the quick start.

a couple of slow pulls first gets some oil on the cylinders helps.

Hey team crash290, thats a good song! I got it downloaded! :withstupid: :withstupid:

block heater do work well also one could get the heat tape they use for plumbing and wrap around engine and plug in.