:cool: :cool:
I read on another forum that a lot of the members there start their sleds once a month or so during the summer time. I have never done that in all the years of owning old and new machines. I agree with the storage practices that you riders have posted here in the "summer prep" topic. Do any of you start your machines periodically????

PS: Snow is comming.................

if you prep a sled correctly, fogging oil, drain the tank and carbs you DONT want to start your sled.it will remove everything youve done.if your like some who set it and forget it till the first big storm you should run it to keep things from gumming up.course there is always the "i have to here it run syndrome that plagues so many sledders myself included,nothing like the sound of a healthy 2stroke....lol)now i asphalt race so i dont have to start my trail sled and tear up the lawn anymore!!!

Hi,
I keep my tanks filled to rule out condensation and I start them once every month and run them for 10 minutes. I don't use Stabil or fog/oil the cylinders. I presently have 3 Polaris, 1 Cat, and 1 Doo from 1994 to 2003 and they all run great. I have a buddy that did the same for 8 years on the same sled and it was perfect when he sold it. I also have buddies who use Stabil, put a little oil in the cylinders, and never start them until snow flies. They run great too. My 2 cents for what it's worth.
Mark

Yep, add fuel stabilizer in the spring and fire them up the first of every month. Not necessarily for ten minutes, that might be a little long in the heat of the summer.

I start them once every month and tear up the lawn!!

cory, I also run mine for the 10 minutes,,, if you run it too little, you may do more harm than good,,, I do stabilze, and used to fog, but didnt this year,, I am starting mine (outside of the garge) every 3 or 4 weeks and let them warm up to running temperature, then shut em off,,,
last time, my son sat on them as they were running and had a ball pretending there was snow there in the yard!!!

I prep mine for the summer (oil the cylinders, Stabil, etc.) and don't start it until I pull it off the trailer for the ride of the season. Like Machz1 said, I don't want to undo everything I did when I prepped it.

hey puree,
you'd better hope he doesnt decide to grab a handful of that throttle!!!!!!!!!...Lol. i used to tear up the lawn too,great way to have fun while mowing but the wife you know doesnt exactly see things like i do.....hmmmmmm maybe if i made her mow it for awhile?

hey elk1,
i used to be from that area,you familiar with bethel/lockemills?

I add Sta-bil, top off the tank, and I start it every 3-4 weeks, and let it warm up to operating temperature. This keeps the fuel flowing through the jets and orifices. Do this(if your around to do so), and you do not NEED to "Summerize" the machine.

i never have fogged any of my sleds. When i get a chance i do start it for a few minutes. just to smell that sweat smell.

Either technique is fine. But make sure you either prep properly and put it away for the summer, or run it once/mth. Atleast to operating temp.

Both methods ensure that the engine won't rust over the summer.

I prefer to put her away to bed for the summer, so I fog. But one method isn't better than the other. Just different.

FishHog

I start mine up once a week, run it WOT for about 15 seconds, then half throttle for another 30-45s shut it down, cool it off, then do it all over again, at least 4 times every sunday :D

Originally posted by firecatsrt@Jun 18 2004, 10:18 AM
I start mine up once a week, run it WOT for about 15 seconds, then half throttle for another 30-45s shut it down, cool it off, then do it all over again, at least 4 times every sunday :D
WOW! I feel sorry for anyone that buys your sleds! w00t

I used to prep and store mine for the summer too, but the past couple of years I have been just cleanin her up and starting it for about 10 min or so till the heat exchangers start to warm up. A sled machanic told me it is fine to do that, it also get the fluids flowing a little. I also like to spin the track a bit too, to give the bearings a little work out. Just my 2 cents worth

machz1, he knows better than to grab the throttle,,, we already took that road, and fortunately I was on the sled with him and there was snow on the ground,,, but it really took us for a trip.
as for running the studs through the grass to get some air in there,,, the pic speaks pretty loud,,,
just cant break that track loose,,, it scalps the yard rather than aeriate it,,,

I start mine up when ever I feel like and listen to it run and it gets my blood flowing and makes me all giddy inside :D

Originally posted by dawg@Jun 18 2004, 07:52 AM
just to smell that sweat smell.
Puppy,
if you like the smell of sweat then go into a locker room. :p

i fog then drain the carburetors. i drain the fuel tank completely and leave to fuel cap loose. if you want condensation leave fuel in the tank.

Originally posted by winnipegsledhead@Jun 18 2004, 05:39 PM
I start mine up when ever I feel like and listen to it run and it gets my blood flowing and makes me all giddy inside :D
:withstupid: I'm with him :D :D :D :D

:withstupid: :p

I run mine about once a month. I start it up, getting it good and warm and with it on the stand rev it up abit. Then shut it off and put the cover on it for another month.

Originally posted by Mikadoo@Jun 18 2004, 11:46 AM
WOW! I feel sorry for anyone that buys your sleds! w00t
in case you are wondering... i run it on the asphalt... the sled is well taken care of.

http://www.arcticchat.com/forums/uploads/post-18-1083937722.jpg

Full tank of premium,stabil,and start once amonth and warm up.I like to do it on holidays to help me remember.4th of July,labor day.etc.
Rich

i start them from time to time in the summer, and let them warm up a bit...........

Originally posted by kowalcs@Jun 18 2004, 07:03 AM
I prep mine for the summer (oil the cylinders, Stabil, etc.) and don't start it until I pull it off the trailer for the ride of the season. Like Machz1 said, I don't want to undo everything I did when I prepped it.
well said! :) hey kowalcs i use to live in milan 92-95, was down there memorial weekend sure has changed! toooo...... much traffic for me. : :cussing: SWRules

Originally posted by Mikadoo@Jun 18 2004, 11:46 AM
WOW! I feel sorry for anyone that buys your sleds! w00t
LOL thats what i was gonna say! SWRules

Yep, same here, like clockwork I start it up every month. I just hit the remote starter and let it run for exactly 8 minutes. Why 8 minutes? because the remote start will run for this time unless you insert and turn the key. :p Now that I am running a four stroke it is really a pleasure to be able to fire it up with out all the smoke and noise. Just a little stabil in the tank and a complete grease job before I put it up on the shelf with it's cover. Man I love this sled.

I dont worry about condensation during the warm months, so I only leave a gallon or so in my tank, with Stabil and fire it off a couple times a month. I just let it warm up the exchangers a bit and shut it down.

As the weather starts getting colder, then its time to keep the tank full to fight condensation. Basically whenever I lift the hood and actually see condensation on the tank or engine then I may add just a bit of fuel antifreeze.

Sometime in the fall my carbs will come off for a good cleaning anyway.



But the real questions is: how many of you ride with lazy slobs that thier entire pre-season prep consists of a spark plug change? .......and that dosent have to mean new ones!
[ericcartmanmode].....I hate those guys!....[/ericcartmanmodeoff]

SWRules

The only way condensation can form in your tank, is if there's water already in there. Gas does not condensate. In-tank (water)condensation is one of the biggest misconceptions of fuel system trouble shooting.

Originally posted by mtrsprt@Jun 22 2004, 04:21 PM
The only way condensation can form in your tank, is if there's water already in there. Gas does not condensate. In-tank (water)condensation is one of the biggest misconceptions of fuel system trouble shooting.
That's not true. If you have a cold night, then warm air during the day, the moisture will condense out of the warm humid air and into the cold gasoline, where it settles into the bottom of the tank (or is absorbed, if you have reformulated gas which is 10% ethanol). That's a fact, not a misconception. Fuel tanks are vented- the moisture comes out of the humid summer air. If you keep the tank full, you take away the surface area for the condensation to occur (but you need to leave enough room for expansion).

If you have a motorcycle with a steel tank, you can often see this process at work. With a half-tank of fuel, after a cold night and warm morning, pop the top and you can often see moisture on the exposed portions of the tank. Leave it sit like that long enough, and you will see rust start to form on the bottom of the tank where the water is collecting, as well as on the exposed surface above the fuel line.

i also like to give em a wd40 bath before i put it away for the summer (under the hood that is )

Plastic tanks are WAY more resistant to temperature transfer that forms condensation. Also, Venting on the gas tank is very small, and for the humidity to be drawn in, takes quite a bit of temperature change.

Originally posted by DamageInc@Jun 23 2004, 01:59 AM
That's not true. If you have a cold night, then warm air during the day, the moisture will condense out of the warm humid air and into the cold gasoline, where it settles into the bottom of the tank (or is absorbed, if you have reformulated gas which is 10% ethanol). That's a fact, not a misconception. Fuel tanks are vented- the moisture comes out of the humid summer air. If you keep the tank full, you take away the surface area for the condensation to occur (but you need to leave enough room for expansion).

If you have a motorcycle with a steel tank, you can often see this process at work. With a half-tank of fuel, after a cold night and warm morning, pop the top and you can often see moisture on the exposed portions of the tank. Leave it sit like that long enough, and you will see rust start to form on the bottom of the tank where the water is collecting, as well as on the exposed surface above the fuel line.
damageinc your right, how many times have you gone to pick up a tarp or something on the ground thats been laying in the sun and had it been wet because of condensation.that stuff will invade any poor circulation areas,half filled fuel tanks for example.

According to my AC dealer (biggest one in Quebec) starting a sled periodically is better than fogging or any other summerization method for the engine. He said that if he was able to do this on all the sleds he stores he would, but the vast numbers make it impossible. When you think about it it does make perfect sense though. Every time you start it up it gets the gas flowing through the carb/EFI. It relubes the cylinder walls, bearings and everything else the motor needs to live a long and happy life. Only thing that needs to be done regarding this method is to add a little stabil to the gas.

Originally posted by mtrsprt@Jun 23 2004, 05:51 AM
Plastic tanks are WAY more resistant to temperature transfer that forms condensation. Also, Venting on the gas tank is very small, and for the humidity to be drawn in, takes quite a bit of temperature change.
Yes, that is true about plastic having less effect than steel, but it still does it, and the moisture will also condense directly onto the surface of the cold gasoline, where it is absorbed or sinks. And if you have reformulated gas with ethanol, it is a friggin water magnet.

It doesn't matter if the vent tube is small, it still moves a lot of air in and out. The gasoline and the air do a LOT of exanding and contracting during heating and cooling cycles, which is always pushing air out and sucking it in thru that vent tube. I don't know what it's like where you live, but here it is not uncommon to have lows in the forties on summer nights, and have days as high as 100. Hell, I've seen the temperature drop 40 degrees in ten minutes before when a cold front rolls in.

Have you ever seen what happens to a five gallon plastic gas can in the summer if you leave the vent tight? I've seen them expand enough to crack the cap on a warm day. That is how the air is being drawn in and out through your vent. Unless you keep your sled in a climate controlled garage, but I don't think most of us can afford to baby them that much. But I would if I could, lol.

Guilty. I find it easier then the whole summerizing thing, plus I work all summer on it so it needs to run to tune it.
Wayne