Not sure if this topic has been addressed before, but here goes. My brother owns a '97 Formula 500 and a '97 Formula Z. Neither are equipped with a choke...primer only. What is your best method for a cold start? We usually try three pumps of the primer, leave the primer out (so once it starts you can give it another squirt if it wants to die) and pull. Sometimes it'll start on the first try, which is great. If it does start on the first pull and dies, you're pretty much screwed and it becomes a two man job. One pinning the throttle and one yanking the cord. Each sled has gone through recoil springs due to repeated starting attempts. If you guys could share your methods, I would appreciate it. Fortunately, I don't have to go through this..........I own an EFI Cat.

Every sled will be different but for mine...99'FZ 670.
Cold start ( 30 degrees or below)usually the first 2 pumps are air then feels stiffer when I get gas.. 2 good pump and usually needs same baby sitting when it's real cold with a few pumps for a minute or 2. Once it runs I'm set for the day. Above 30 it's 1 pump of gas. it's definetly a trial and error and learning process. hope it helped
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I had a 1990 MX with a primer and this is what worked for me. I would give it 2 shots of the primer, and then pull it out and leave it extended. 3 seemed to be too much for this sled and it would be flooded. Once flooded a bear to start so I always started on the low end of # of primes. Each sled can be a lttile different. It would then start on the first pull or second if it was very cold. I would then slowly push the primer in while keeping it at a somewhat high idle(2000 rpm). I would repeat the slow prime until it would run without. I may even like the primer better than a choke because it actually took less pulls to start a sled equipped with a primer, thus less wear and tear on the recoil starter.

I'm one of the people who love primers. My old 670 would take 3 pumps (once the air was out) and would always start right up. you would also have to give it a couple of short pumps during the first couple of seconds to keep it from dying out, but it was always easy to start.

My MXZx 440 however, is REALLY cold blooded, and it is not uncommon to have to pump it as many as 8-9 times when it is really cold! In fact I have thought I've flooded it out, to only pump 4-5 more times and find it fired right up. I guess you just have to try it and then stick to what works.

My 700 has a choke, which I put to full out, start it, and immediately shut it off and let it idle for a minute. Never had a problem.

I had a 99 670 with the same problem. two pumps and start, die. Then one more pump usually started and kept running. If you have to pull that much try primer one more shot, do not leave primer pulled out. Hope this works, it did for me...but not all ladies are made the same

I have a 97 MXZ583 and what works for me is oncee the air is out 3 pumps and then a couple when it is running!! I like this better than the choke on my 2000 MXZ 600.

The key is to know wether your pumping air or pumping gas when you push the plunger, if you get used to it just push the plunger until you feel and hear the gas, then give it three primes, i've rode skidoos my whole life and still like the primer better

I have to say that I like the choke better than the primer system.

Sure, you may have to pull a few more times to bring the fuel up, but it is almost impossible to flood with the choke.

Once my old 670 was flooded, I was in for a nightmare trying to clear it out - I never knew if it was starving for gas, or already flooded.

If you listen you can hear whether or not a full pump of gas is being injected. The 583's and 670 ho's I have owned I would give them 4-5 primers on a cold start with no problems. On a cooled start are the only times I ever had troubles.

3 WET pumps, pull it over with the throttle cracked, an additional shot or 2 once its running. Lotsa people like the choke, for most of us americans its perfect. But in the very cold areas in canada, the primer rules.

Sounds like you guys do pretty much the same thing.....3 WET pumps and a pump or two to keep it running. Thanks for the info guys!

The trick is knowing if its flooded or not after the 3 pumps and then it starts and dies.I give it another shot and if it doesn't fire after 1 or 2 pulls then its likely flooded.Pull 4 or 5 times and if it doesn't fire give it another shot of prime.If its real cold I will give it 4 full shots to start out(this is on a 670 which is a little more forgiving)Starts first pull 99% of the time.If your really lost just pull the plugs and see if there wet or not.It will save a lot of pulling if your not having any luck.Primers rule,they are going to them on lawnmowers chainsaws etc.

4 primes and hold throttle at half. One sturn pull and away it goes. Keep it running with the primer until it holds its own Idle.

The key with these engines is the holding throttle at half. (Well maybe not half 1/4 should work)

I always hold it a bit even when starting warm.

3 squirts of gas,1 pull,then a half squirt to keep it running! works for me anyway!

4 Primes and throttle if possible and keep the primer up to keep it going. Thats what i DOO for my MXZ 500 98.

On my Mach I and my old Everest, both get the air out and three primes and pull. If its really cold, 4. Usually first pull. If it starts and dies, I prime it once and it usually starts right up and feather the throttle to warm her up and go. I love the primer. Wish my Polaris had it!! SWRules

Also.. park it on level ground, or facing uphill. If you come to a stop facing downhill (even slightly), it will flood and require full throttle while pulling to clean it out and get it started. My '96 MXZ 670 did this, and my '99 670HO does this. Something to do with the rotary valve intake I assume.

On my 670 I give it 3 actual pumps of gas, then it will start on the first or second pull every time. I have never flooded it using this method.

My 96 Mxz started first pull after sitting all summer, majorly fogged with the fogged plugs etc. Lets see a choke only sled do that! When its cold, 4 "wet" primes and a pull and it runs 95% of the time. It takes a few more squirts of the primer to keep it running for about 30 seconds before it idles on its own. When its warmer out, less primes. When I am not sure of how much to prime, then its two squirts and crack the throttle.

My problem was to know if they are wet "squirts" or just air. If another sled is running beside you, its imposible to hear. I have had to on occasion, pop the hood to look at the fuel line to see if its air or fuel flowing when there are alot of sleds running around me. I try to be the first one to start so that helps.

Nothing like a -30c first pull starting sled though... I would like to have a primer and a choke to have the best of both.

my friends machz has a choke and primer, never saw that befor.

I gotta '89 MX 462LC and it has a primer and i prime it 2x and a 3rd time slowly if it starts to stall. It starts on 2 pulls everytime.