I have a 98 MXZ 500 that has only been out twice this year. Both times it stalled, first time it ran fine for about 20-25 min. Second time it stalled out 1/2 mile into the ride. It wont start right after it stalls but if I let it sit for 10 minutes or so it starts right up, but I dont trust it to continue the ride so I load it back on the trailer. The second time it stalled I noticed some oil ( about one bottle cap full) on the motor right in front of each of the spark plugs, with plugs still screwed in. The sled ran fine all last year and I havent made any adjustments since. I am going to take off the carbs and clean them out although I am not sure if this will solve my problem. Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Joe

I wonder if the air vent to the tank is plugged? You might try running it for awhile, shutting down, and then listen for any vacuum sucking noises when you open the gas cap -- or simply blowing through the air vent line to see if it's plugged or pinched off.

Other than that, I'd guess a bit of dirt or debris in the carbs? There could be a lot of other reasons too (electrical maybe).

Good luck!

starving for fuel ? something i will do every couple of years now is put on new fuel line because it makes it so much easier to see if there is fuel in the lines.

Clean the carbs, could be gumed up from summer storage, air vent and as well add gas line anti freeze.

Pull the fuel inlet lines off the brass nipple on each carb. Check to see if there is a small mesh strainer inside the nipple. If they are in place, use a pair of needlenose pliers to pull them out.

These strainers were only used in '98 model year sleds. The second season I had my '98 MXZ 500 one of them gummed up. Also, my sister in law's '98 Formula Deluxe 583 started to run poorly last season. Dealer removed them & sled ran fine.

We had an intermitent stalling problem last year that we couldn't track down until the stator finally failed. New stator, no more problems.