New to me toy.

[carey]

I'm well over a 1000km this season. Last week I installed some much needed new carbide runners. Problem was it darted terribly after. Me and my buddy rode 200km last weekend and it was exhausting. More suspension tuning was required. Dropped the front straps 1/2", tightened up my toe out on my skis and set my front shocks to their lowest settings. It's now much better to ride and handles wonderful! For my weight and at times aggressive driving style the overall package is awsome. ( for the 16 year old sled it is anyways )

Vincent,

I'm glad your getting some sled time. My knowledge of sled suspension is only what I've read on this forum.

When you say you dropped the front straps 1/2". Does this mean the amount of thread showing in the strap adjusters was more than 1/2" and is now 1/2"?

I'm glad you got your suspension sorted. I didn't notice any darting on my Venture, but I only have 10 miles The difference between your Venture and mine is the mounting holes of the skid. I wonder if your rear skid mounted on the lower holes added to the darting?

 

[captnviper]

Have you shimmed the ski saddle to tip the front of the ski up a little? Should also consider reed spacer.

 

[Vincent]

Have you shimmed the ski saddle to tip the front of the ski up a little? Should also consider reed spacer.

No I have not done the ski saddle shim trick yet. My ski bolts are pritty badly seized up. They need time and effort to remove and replace that I haven't had. But it is a future mod I'm planning on.

I'm guessing the reed spacers help smooth out the midrange a bit?

 

[captnviper]

yes the spacers do clean up throttle response, you could also do the reed stopper notch must purchase the stainless stoppers. Pretty sure the stainless are updated part number. http://www.totallyamaha.com/snowmobiles/aaTECH/ReedNotch/Reed_Notch.htm
Or make your own spacers I think this is for yours double check ctc on bolts. http://www.totallyamaha.com/snowmobiles/aaTECH/Spacers/Spacers.htm

 

[captnviper]

STOPPER, REED VALV
8DJ-13616-00-00 (replaces 4DA-13616-00-00)

 

[A couple of bucks]

Take your fuel screws out to 1 3/4.
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/yamaha/YP-8DJ-13616-00-00.html

 

[Vincent]

Thanks guys,
I'm planning on all those mods but for now I kept things simple. So carbs came out, took everything apart, cleaned, inspected and veryfied everything.

Carbs were spotless. Still I blew out every orphus with carb cleaner and compressed air. But it was clearly not needed.

All main jets were in their proper location. 145 for #1, and
143.8 for #2, & 3. The main jet needles were set one notch higher.(leaner setting). I placed all the little C clips to the middle notch or factory spec. Set all my pilots screws to 1 3/4 turns. They were all at 1 1/2, except cylinder #3 was a bit less. Reassembled everything and installed fresh plugs.

Went out for a ride it the cold evening (-25c &-35c with windchill)
Sled started right up. Drove fine so I kept riding further and further, really enjoy the fruits of my labour. I was following an established trail with 6 to 8" of very fluffy powdery snow. 10 km out I decide to turn around as to not push my luck.

As I did a three point turn my idle was very low and it stalled, so I adjusted it to 1700rpms and was heading home. After about 1km my engine began to acting up. Started running like plugs were misfireing or flooding with fuel in the midrange, 5000 to 6500 rpms. It would improve at 7000. If I stoped it idled fine. But the midrange was terrible. I was getting scared as I had a long lonely walk ahead of me in the dark cold night. Stoped the sled , ripped out all three plugs. All were dry and looked a bit grey but it was hard to tell as the plugs were so fresh. Thank God I brought a flashlight btw! I should have tried a bit of choke when it started acting up but at the time I didn't think about it. I decided to reinstall my old plugs, and then I realized I had left my carb heaters off. Flipped the warmers on out of desperation, maybe it would help!

At first it ran crummy in the midrange but withing 1 km everything smooth out. Got home the idle was now too high, so dropped it back down. Warmed up in the house a bit, then back out. Reinstalled my new plugs, when out for a quick short ride. All seemed fine after that. My gas was 2/3 full with week old 91 octane fwiw.

So my question is, did I experience carb freeze up? I ve never ran it without the carb warmers. Me and the sled were just covered with fluffy snow from the ride. Right now it's -30c with -40 windchill and I'm considering going for a short ride to verify everything is OK.

 

[Vincent]

I think I just solved my own mistery. Just did the rest of that same trail for another 10km in -25c weather. Again I'm covered in snow and the sled ran fine this time. I'm fairly sure the carbs iced up lastnight. Let this be a warning to anyone else. In very cold temperature if you have carb warmers use them, they may save you alot of gref.

 

[captnviper]

Went out this morning was -15f or about -25c new to me srx did not start, pulled the plugs thought it might be flooded and noticed all 3 were dry. Heat gun on fuel pump till I got cold, fired right up.

 

[A couple of bucks]

Powder/steam proofing helps ALOT !!!!
http://www.totallyamaha.net/forums/threads/99487-97-Vmax-Powder-proof?highlight=Infamous

http://www.totallyamaha.net/forums/...gone-completely?highlight=Infamous+powder+bog

Plus an exhaust deflector. Helps create a "snow trench" to let the exhaust get out.

 

[Vincent]

Did a bunch of high speed runs. First was hard trail riding so 40 to 90km/h with lots of corners. It's an ungroomed deep wood trail. (first three pix) Next were streight up open Lake runs. (last three pics). Still looks too lean to me! The main jet needles needs to move another notch. Temperature -18c at around 50% humidex.
Plugs are new from two days ago.

 

[A couple of bucks]

Have you done the powder/steam proofing? And the notch?

 

[Vincent]

All I've done is recovered the air box inlet with a new foam.

 

[A couple of bucks]

That hesitation will be almost if not completely gone if you do the notch.

 

[A couple of bucks]

The four inlets(for the carbs) that are incorperated into the hood should be blocked off. This will only allow cold air to be sucked in from the outside and not steam from under the hood. Just clean up the surfaces well with naptha before tape is applied to insure a good bond. I had some 2 inch wide chafe tape laying around that worked excellent.

 

[kallio]

did you have to change anything else to install the cobra track. was it the 1.325 track? I was told by the local dealer you couldn't go with anything bigger than one inch - is this true for a 2002 venture?

 

[Vincent]

did you have to change anything else to install the cobra track. was it the 1.325 track? I was told by the local dealer you couldn't go with anything bigger than one inch - is this true for a 2002 venture?

Yes it is the 1.35" Cobra track and It fit without any modifications. My sled doesn't have the forward radiator protectors witch gives me 0.82 in. clearance. If your sled does have protectors you will need to remove them. I have no experience with 02 Ventures but I would guess they are all very simular.

As fare as driving impression I have 1600km on my Cobra of on/off trail use with no issues! Traction is Awsome in any situation! Really transformed my sled compared to the crummy stock track. Goodluck.

 

[Vincent]

Finally my snowmobile season has officially ended. Today went for my last 24 km ride, and then parked it in the garage for summer storage. The trail are melting quickly. And the weather is supposed to be 30 to 40mm of rain for the next few days.

Last fall I reset the trip and never reset it. It currently shows 967km but has already gone around once. So official mileage this past season is 1967 kms. Not bad for a 16 year old sled! And for the last little while the problem I covered in my "Bad Hesitation" thread, has not returned. So that's it. What a wonderful winter season with my new toy.

 

[A couple of bucks]

Don't forget the Stabil Marine(360).

 

[Vincent]

In the last little while my sled has been stored . But my buddy has been using my back yard to park his 2014 Tundra because my yard provides a snowy path directly on to the trail system. Otherwise he'd have to drive half a kilometre on pavement each way everytime as to get to the trails and from then on his maple syrup camp. Last week he offered me his spare set of keys. So I've been riding his sled for the last week or so. I've actually accumulated 80 km on that 550F Tundra. (154"long, 1.5" paddle track btw). Great sled but narrow and tippy by nature

Then out of nowhere, we get an unexpected snow storm that dumps 17 inches of fluffy snow in 24 hrs! So what do I do? Pull out my Venture from storage and go play in the deep fluffy stuff! Oh well. So much for the season being done! I can tell you my Venture feels like a mega powered smooth and precise sports car compared to the Tundra . Funny how quickly we get used to something else. It made me appreciate how awsome my 16 year old sled really is.