Hi, I'm new to snowmobiling last year I got two snowmobiles from a friend. I have a few questions on some maintenance things that i should be doing to them. First off I have a 1994 Formula STX 583 and its extremely hard to start. I had to have a friend do it cause my arm gets so tired from pulling. What can I check to make it start better? Clean the carbs maybe, anything else I should look for? If I do clean the carbs do you have any recommendations of where i can go to get any idea of how to do this. Thanks alot guys.

If the sled has sat for a long time, it will take about 20-40 pulls to start as you need to fill the empty carb float bowls before it kicks over. After that it should start fine. IAC you DO need to clean those carbs. I learned thru trial and error but I wouldn't suggest that unless you're mechanically inclined. If you aren't, your best bet may be to just take the carbs off (plug the fuel line!) and bring them to any motorsports shop and they'll fix you up for about $50 (you'll probably need new jets and gaskets, o-rings, etc., from them anyway. If you plan to do it yourself you might want to get the Mikuni Carb Manual available from most sled shops including Dennis Kirk.

Other things: Grease the suspension, change coolant, chaincase oil, check track for wear, tension and alignement, change fuel and oil filters, and re-charge the shocks.

Have a fun winter!

G MAN

Hey thanks for the response. To help fill the carb with gas I do have a primer on there that I do use. I can i also use the throttle while pulling or will that just flood the carb to much. Or should i just keep pulling?

thanks again

Like GMAN said clean the carbs. You don't want to burn it down! Those primers can flood a sled easily. Until you get used to starting it, give 2-3 primes then pull the rope 1-2 times. If it don't start give it another shot. After a while you will know how many times you need to prime it and you will get a feel for the primer as to when its pushing fuel. A well tuned DOO with a primer will usally start on the first or second pull, if the carbs are good.

I get gas in my primer, give it 2 shots cold, none warm, and it is a 1 pull motor, same 583. if you have the carbs off to clean them(do it) make sure you mark them left and right because they have different jetting for the rotary valve. put in new plugs too. they get fouled on 583's from storage and extra oil leaking from rotary. Even if my carbs are dry it will run on the primer, and the carbs fill in less than 2 seconds.
nice machine.

change plugs for sure,they're cheap.clean the carbs,especially after it has been sitting.
buy the correct manual and read it!after messing around a bit you will gain the confidence and the knowledge to clean the carbs yourself.maybe ask the mechanic that is cleaning your carbs if you could watch,and ask questions

Thanks for all the advice guys it has been very helpful. I have one more question to ask about reeds. I was reading in the tech center pages about reeds and it said if these are starting to wear out it could be hard to start the sled. While i have the carbs off for cleaning this weekend would it probably be a good idea to check these. I could probably do this myself and just take the carbs in to the local shop for cleaning and get the new reeds. Any suggestions and advice would once again be helpful

thanks

There are 6 bolts holding on the carb boots that also holds the reed cage assembly. Just usncrew the bolts and remove everything - it's very easy. Once removed, check the reed petals for worn or frayed ends and make sure they're tightly closed. If not, replace. It's cheapest to just replace the reed petals but if the reed cage is flaking the rubber coating, you should replace the whole enchilada. Boyesen makes both and work a lil' better than stock.

G

your sled does't have reeds it is a rotary valve engine.

Like skidoodle said

you do NOT have reeds

3 primes(you can tell if you have gas) and your sled should start on 1st pull

They are the easiest sled to start if you know how to properly use the primer

btw if engine is warm do NOT prime

Make sure you have fresh gas , it "spoils " quickly .

The nexted time it will not start pull the spark plugs and see if they are wet with gas. If they are I would bet it is yoiur needle and seat in your carbs. Youir needle and seat shut of the gas flow when yoiur carbs have the right amount of gas in them. If they leak then your carbs and fill to much and leak into yoiu engine causeing flooding. It is very common and a easy fix.

If the spark plugs and very dry then yoiu need to prime it or use and choke. if I am not misstaken this sled has a primer. Make sure it works.

These are were I would start looking. Brian