SRX Cold Starting Problems

jmod98

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Joined
Jan 22, 2014
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Location
Freeport, IL
Anybody think the type of injector oil used would have anything to do with an SRX that's very hard to start when left out in below zero temps. I have an '01 SRX 700 that's about impossible to start in those conditions. Starts on the first pull coming out of my shop - runs great. I've cleaned and checked the pilots, mains, and choke circuits. I'm going to try killing it with the choke when up north this weekend to see if that helps. I'm just curious if anyone thinks that switching over to Amsoil injector oil would make any difference and make it easier to pull and pop off in the morning?? What else to try?
 

shut it off with the choke at the end of the ride,not the kill switch, that really makes a differance.
I run amsoil in my sleds, its thinner and doesnt seem to drag as much but in the really cold weather any triple is hard to pull.
Sometimes like when I rode in the u.p. and sled sat out in the zero degree nights,next morning you need to pull the plugs and whirl it over about 10 times then put the plugs back in. Reason is, the oil gets cold and stiff and the rpm in which you pull it over is slower so the piston isnt drawing in the fuel from the carb.

Theres nothing wrong with the sled, its just you have 3 pistons, higher compression and cold,thick oil= slow rpm
 
Do you have power where you will be parking it? You can get a universal block heater. Or a CAREFULLY placed heat lamp under the hood...
 
shut it off with the choke at the end of the ride,not the kill switch, that really makes a differance.
I run amsoil in my sleds, its thinner and doesnt seem to drag as much but in the really cold weather any triple is hard to pull.
Sometimes like when I rode in the u.p. and sled sat out in the zero degree nights,next morning you need to pull the plugs and whirl it over about 10 times then put the plugs back in. Reason is, the oil gets cold and stiff and the rpm in which you pull it over is slower so the piston isnt drawing in the fuel from the carb.

Theres nothing wrong with the sled, its just you have 3 pistons, higher compression and cold,thick oil= slow rpm

Yep, I'm going to try killing it with the choke. The first few years I owned this sled I never had a problem. Just trying to figure out why now for the last few years it's become and issue. I did switch from yamalube to a different kind of synthetic injector oil around that time?? My dad has an 2000 SXR. It's a 700 triple too and that thing starts like a champ in the cold.
 
Yep, I'm going to try killing it with the choke. The first few years I owned this sled I never had a problem. Just trying to figure out why now for the last few years it's become and issue. I did switch from yamalube to a different kind of synthetic injector oil around that time?? My dad has an 2000 SXR. It's a 700 triple too and that thing starts like a champ in the cold.

sxr engine is also lower compression.
 
Do you have power where you will be parking it? You can get a universal block heater. Or a CAREFULLY placed heat lamp under the hood...

Not sure? We are heading to the U.P. this weekend and backpacking around about 500-600 miles. Not sure where we'll end up at night. Weather.com says it's gonna be about -10 or more so I'm a little worried. I'm thinking like you though. Bringing a heat gun, drop cord, and small electric blanket. Also gonna bring the plugs in the motel room at night so they're warm. I go up there to ride - not work on sleds. Love this sled (on smooth trails) but this may be her last trip up north I think. Newer Rev XP may be in my future. Looking forward to reverse, elec start, & rear suspension! Would like to solve this problem though.
 
Do you have power where you will be parking it? You can get a universal block heater. Or a CAREFULLY placed heat lamp under the hood...

My retired riding buddies used an inline block heater on thier Ski-Doos... until they upgraded to electric start four strokes. A drop light (with a non-CFL bulb) under a closed hood with a blanket covering works too.

But before going through the expense of either, try Mr. Viper's suggestion. It works.
 
I and many other I know have been having similar issues. Fuels now are not as volatile as they used to be and require larger amounts to combust especially in very cold temps and using a recoil. Once upon a time you could leave a sled in severely cold temps for days and it would start....Not anymore. I have done some experimentation and found it will start but requires larger amounts of this Crappy fuel to start. I am installing a primer in on my 500 XTC otherwise you have to dump fuel into the cylinders to get it to start cold.
 
The higher percentage of ethonal, the more difficult cold starts become. In South/central America where E85 and higher blends (Brazil = 100%) are used, new cars are starting to become equipped with a separate fuel system including a 1-2 gallon tank and pump filled with a lower % blend. It's only purpose is to aid cold starts. The EPA has pushed up to an unadvertised 15% in the U.S.

It isn't going to get any better.
 
The higher percentage of ethonal, the more difficult cold starts become. In South/central America where E85 and higher blends (Brazil = 100%) are used, new cars are starting to become equipped with a separate fuel system including a 1-2 gallon tank and pump filled with a lower % blend. It's only purpose is to aid cold starts. The EPA has pushed up to an unadvertised 15% in the U.S.

It isn't going to get any better.


I should probably clarify that a Brazilian cold start is 40F and they don't make the seasonal changes to thier blends that we do.

I personally haven't had any issues even with the cold temps last weekend.

It was hard to pull and my shoulder still aches though...
 


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