Hey guys where I live in northern Ontario we are still lucky that ethanol is not in are fuel yet (but it is coming).I have read on these and other forums about guys having all kinds of issue with there 2 stroke engines due to ethanol in the fuel.I own an 02 viper with 5500 km's on it presently (4 years) and owned briefly a 600 xlt polaris ( I know don't bash me ..LOL) and before that a 2000 Mountain Max 700 (4 years).I always store my sleds correctly in the off season and use a product made by BC3 fuels on a regular basis.Not once have I had a running or starting issue with all 3 sleds.I also store my motorcycle and lawnmower in the same fashion and have had no issues.Myself and a friend were tracking a problem on a older sled (1977 ski-doo) that ended up being cracked carb boot so we decided to put a carb kit in the carb while apart the carb was very clean inside and the sled sat for 5 years not running.So just wondering some thoughts you guys may have about this clean carbs theory??? Not looking to start any wars here as I see some threads get kinda heat..LOL.Just looking for some input on if you guys would still be cleaning carbs if your fuel was non-ethanol contaminated. 
jasonlmrx
New member
i live in northern ontario and they have ethanol in the gas.. just saying, sometimes it aint always posted. has for cleaning. its good to clean them once a year.
I say clean them
It's cheaper than pistons
It's cheaper than pistons
03viperguy
Moderator
truth, its real cheap insuranceKEVIN said:
get in there
I would throw in that you should clean your carbs always it's cheap insurance. You need to look at your pilots, they do get debris and buildup in them. You should get as much of the old gas out of your machine as is possible, out of the tank, out of the bowls. gas looses octane as it sits, and that can burn your machine down just as easy as plugged pilots. I have also discovered things that need to be fixed, unusual wear, rotting plastic, when I have gone in to do something else. It is never a bad idea to really look at your machine. Even if you are not a mechanic obvious thing will jump out at you.
I would throw in that you should clean your carbs always it's cheap insurance. You need to look at your pilots, they do get debris and buildup in them. You should get as much of the old gas out of your machine as is possible, out of the tank, out of the bowls. gas looses octane as it sits, and that can burn your machine down just as easy as plugged pilots. I have also discovered things that need to be fixed, unusual wear, rotting plastic, when I have gone in to do something else. It is never a bad idea to really look at your machine. Even if you are not a mechanic obvious thing will jump out at you.
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I was thinking about this same question just last week when I was cleaning carbs on all three vipers I own. Every carb was spotless after having sat all summer with fuel in the carbs. I meant to drain them but never got around to it. However, I did mix Sta-Bil in the tank and ran them for about 10 min before putting them to sleep. The gas stations I use around here do not have ethonal in their fuel.
So with that said, I was questioning if the annual carb clean up was worth it. I came to the conclusion that it was.
While i was cleaning them up I noticed that some of the carbs had float bowl screws that were loose. I also noticed that some of the fuel screws had backed off and instead of being set at 2 they were at 3 turns out. Another thing I was considering was replacing the springs and o-rings on some of the fuel screws. All of these things would not have been caught had I not gone thru my carbs. It's not always about gunk in the carbs.
IMO it's worth it.
So with that said, I was questioning if the annual carb clean up was worth it. I came to the conclusion that it was.
While i was cleaning them up I noticed that some of the carbs had float bowl screws that were loose. I also noticed that some of the fuel screws had backed off and instead of being set at 2 they were at 3 turns out. Another thing I was considering was replacing the springs and o-rings on some of the fuel screws. All of these things would not have been caught had I not gone thru my carbs. It's not always about gunk in the carbs.
IMO it's worth it.
sleddineinar
VIP Member
I believe in cleaning the carbs every year, even if you never use ethanol fuels. IMHO, at the very least, it gives you chance to familarize yourself with the parts of your sled, so that if something does go wrong on the trail, you can dive in a fix it without being so intimidated. Also like others have said you can look over everything for cracks and worn out parts, and it's cheaper than a rebuild.
jasburrito
New member
belt dust
Belt dust is a big issue too. Seems the belt dust builds up around 500 mile. Jest sayan
Belt dust is a big issue too. Seems the belt dust builds up around 500 mile. Jest sayan
Thanks for all the great replies....jasonlmrx I realize northern ontario most gas station contain ethanol based fuel.At this point certain gas station in my city still are selling ethanol free fuel... Canadian gas bar 91 octane is ethanol free ... and Petro Canada gas bar 89/91 octane is ethanol free.I'm pretty certain the end is in the near future for any ethanol free gas station.It is was also told to me that most Canadian tire gas station in northern ontario will try to sell 91 octane ethanol free fuel as long as possible.I have a friend in the fuel industry for over 25 years so I get my info from him.I have no reason not to believe him as he's a pretty honest guy....Maybe you may luck out and have similar gas bars in your town.Happy Holidays to all !!
hey guys I just did a quick google browse after my last post and found this ....http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp .Who knows maybe it will help some of us out .
Yes clean them - be sure the entire pilot circuit is clean. This is generally the first circuit to get clogged because it has the smallest passages.
Premium in the province of Ontario does not contain ethanol. My buddy has a 92 Formula MX 440. Has not started in 2 years. With the same gas from 2 years ago, it started in 2 pulls (has primer). His dirt bikes and tri wheelers, same thing. I just treat my gas with stabilizer from CDN tire at the end of the season. No problems in 4 years.
Clean them if you want.
Clean them if you want.
staggs65
Moderator
staggs65 said:
They were spotless when I opened them up (except fuel baffles were not holding on the main jet tower very well). Never saw any jell or varnish in the carbs.
s10mike
Member
thats a small miracle that those pilots werent plugged. i would still clean them every year. cheaper than a rebuild.