case2390
New member
I bought this sled today,and the guy said he has been sleddin with it this year.I got it home started right up and idled nice so i took it for a ride and the first mile it seemed okay,but a little shy on power and speed.I have spark at both plugs and plugs look new.It starts hard now,and to keep it idling you have to rev it up or it will just stall.Guy said the motor was rebuilt last year,and when you pull it over it has good compression.I will be the first to admit i'm no ski-doo mechanic,so any advice on where i should start to fix it,or any suggestions on what you think could be wrong with it.Would be greatly appreciated.
mogulmasher521
Member
Start with the basics first. Make sure you have a good set of the correct plugs in there. Make sure the correct belt is on it and it isn't excessively worn. Lastly are you sure there is good fresh gas in there?
its a good thing your not a ski-doo mechanic because this is a yamaha your workin on... 
case2390
New member
I was wondering the same thing also,but he did say he was using it this winter.I made a point of asking him that,so i would know how old the gas was.I think i will just drain it all,and then i will know for sure.The plugs are correct,i phoned the dealership this morning.mogulmasher521 said:
..SNAKEBIT..
VIP Member
big-kid said:its a good thing your not a ski-doo mechanic because this is a yamaha your workin on...
you do know that they refer to all snowmobiles as skidoos
big-kid said:its a good thing your not a ski-doo mechanic because this is a yamaha your workin on...
You beat me to that comment. As typical it sounds like carbs need to cleaned and adjusted.
Tom in Arizona
New member
I have the same sled, had a similar problem
I also bought a used 79 Exciter 440 and it started hard and would not stay running at idle. Had to use the throttle enrichment starting lever to keep it running as well as reving the throttle.
Had the carb cleaned as I thought the jets were not clean. Was going to take it out a couple of weeks ago, however a arm injury is preventing this for a couple of weeks.
I suspect if you need your carb or at least the jets cleaned.
case2390 said:
I also bought a used 79 Exciter 440 and it started hard and would not stay running at idle. Had to use the throttle enrichment starting lever to keep it running as well as reving the throttle.
Had the carb cleaned as I thought the jets were not clean. Was going to take it out a couple of weeks ago, however a arm injury is preventing this for a couple of weeks.
I suspect if you need your carb or at least the jets cleaned.
trail viper
New member
had the nephew's 78 exciter in the shop last night. running ok but sluggish and down on power. rubber carb adapter was almost broke in two. much snappier with a new one, can't believe it was still running.