Hi everyone,
Just picked up my first sled the other day, a 1979 yamaha enticer 340. Ran great while I took it for a test ride. Today, I took it out and it ran great for about 60 seconds, then was bogging badly. Thicker smoke from the exhaust, horrible throttle response, wouldn't stay revved up enough to go forward. Well, it would lurch forward a couple feet, but as soon as it started to engage forward gear it would bog back down...And it wouldn't idle anymore... Also had to hold throttle to restart.
After about 15 minutes of putzing around with it like that, it magically awoke again and was running like a bat out of hell for the next hour or so!! (Almost flew right off the back of it since it was totally out of left field!) It idled beautifully, normal amount/color of smoke, and had GREAT throttle response!! I then shut it off and let it sit for a few minutes, to see what how it would run after restarting. Needless to say, it went back to the bogged down/hardly moves forward version of itself.
I checked both plugs while I was out there, one was pitch black and wet, and the other looked normal.
What could be the issue here? Clogged carb that unclogged itself, then got clogged again? Where would I even buy parts for this thing anyway?! Lol. I'm as new as they come with snowmobiles, but do my own work on my outboards, lawnmower etc.
Any help would be much appreciated!
-Joe
Just picked up my first sled the other day, a 1979 yamaha enticer 340. Ran great while I took it for a test ride. Today, I took it out and it ran great for about 60 seconds, then was bogging badly. Thicker smoke from the exhaust, horrible throttle response, wouldn't stay revved up enough to go forward. Well, it would lurch forward a couple feet, but as soon as it started to engage forward gear it would bog back down...And it wouldn't idle anymore... Also had to hold throttle to restart.
After about 15 minutes of putzing around with it like that, it magically awoke again and was running like a bat out of hell for the next hour or so!! (Almost flew right off the back of it since it was totally out of left field!) It idled beautifully, normal amount/color of smoke, and had GREAT throttle response!! I then shut it off and let it sit for a few minutes, to see what how it would run after restarting. Needless to say, it went back to the bogged down/hardly moves forward version of itself.
I checked both plugs while I was out there, one was pitch black and wet, and the other looked normal.
What could be the issue here? Clogged carb that unclogged itself, then got clogged again? Where would I even buy parts for this thing anyway?! Lol. I'm as new as they come with snowmobiles, but do my own work on my outboards, lawnmower etc.
Any help would be much appreciated!
-Joe
Welcome Joe.
Next time, keep riding ;>)
Just a swag - but maybe a ring is sticking and you're loosing compression on that cylinder...
I'm sure other more experienced Enticer members will pipe in but I'd start with changing the plug/plug cap, check for spark then check compression.
I just bought two '79 250s myself.
Next time, keep riding ;>)
Just a swag - but maybe a ring is sticking and you're loosing compression on that cylinder...
I'm sure other more experienced Enticer members will pipe in but I'd start with changing the plug/plug cap, check for spark then check compression.
I just bought two '79 250s myself.
YooperWoods
New member
Did you let it warm it up good the first time you took it out?
I'm learning both of these 250s I have need to be good and warmed up.
Maybe a minute or so as I put the straps back in the truck, got my coat, and closed everything up. Don't really know the proper warm up procedures... But it had already been at operating temp (and running great!) for an hour, when I shut it down and tried restarting.
Snomofo - no kidding! I was kickin myself for shutting it down!! But the whole reason I took it out yesterday, was to make sure this situation didn't happen a few miles out while fishing on Lake Erie! Was supposed to be leaving to go there now (3:30 eastern) and left my alarm set incase I felt up to walking it, but back to sleep I go!! Lol. I wanna mess with this sled anyway... Couldn't believe how much fun it was, when it was running good!!!
Just getting around to looking at it, and it started right up and stays idling just fine. I live in the 'burbs, and don't have help right now to load it, otherwise I'd take it out to run it for a while. Here's how it starts and runs after I let it warm up for several minutes:
http://youtu.be/YqZClRFH3Zc
This is how it was running before I shut it off yesterday, and then it went to hell and wouldn't even move or stay idling without throttle.
http://youtu.be/YqZClRFH3Zc
This is how it was running before I shut it off yesterday, and then it went to hell and wouldn't even move or stay idling without throttle.
bluewho
Active member
Look at the choke to see if it is sticking on or just a little.
Wow, duh!!! Can't believe I overlooked that! I noticed the choke lever was just loose enough to become choked by the slightest touch or vibrations/bumps... Found a washer in the garage that was the perfect size to take the slop out of the lever, ensuring it is only choked when it is intended to be.
Ran it around as much as I could in my small front yard, and so far so good. Built a snow bank, and loaded it in my truck so I will post back here after I get back from riding a bit!
Fingers crossed!
Well that unsurprisingly fixed the major problem I was having!
However, the top end is pretty boggy. Low end is great -- takes off like a champ! But as it accelerates, it seems to hit a brick wall and only tops out at 35 on a slight down grade. That can't be the top speed of this sled, or does it sound about right? It would seem like it wanted to rev up, but just couldn't bring itself to do it!
Overall I'm happy with it, and am definitely addicted! And I thought I was just buying an ice fishing only sled!
However, the top end is pretty boggy. Low end is great -- takes off like a champ! But as it accelerates, it seems to hit a brick wall and only tops out at 35 on a slight down grade. That can't be the top speed of this sled, or does it sound about right? It would seem like it wanted to rev up, but just couldn't bring itself to do it!
Overall I'm happy with it, and am definitely addicted! And I thought I was just buying an ice fishing only sled!
Throttle Junkie35
New member
What kind of condition is the belt in?? Are you positive its the correct one??
Belt appears to be in good condition, but I have no clue if it's the "correct" one!
Had it out again today, and it ran fine for the intended purpose (ice fishing sled) but it's not 100% by any stretch of the imagination. On hard pack, no bog issues at all, low or top end. Top speed is lower than I'm assuming it should be, but no issues otherwise. However, once I hit deeper snow, half of the throttle was gone. Anything above half throttle bogged down into right above stalling.
Now I'm really clueless!
got-wood
New member
Should not need washers. There is adjustment on the choke/enrichener plunger on the carb. Its not really a choke, just an enrichener and its adjustment controls how much fuel gets to the idle circuit by adjusting it up from sitting on the bottom. If there is no tension on the lever its a good bet that the plunger is sitting on the bottom and not letting any fuel through to the idle circuit. Could be crud in there too. I would suggest taking the carb right off and cleaning/inspecting it for dirt and debris. The main screw on top is just one turn out adjustment and that's it. From there is only idle speed and the choke adjustment. Run a can of SEA-FOAM through it and ride it! Spend some time on it and of course clean the clutches and add a new belt. The carb is simple but based on two different plug colors I would say it needs crank seals! Great little bullet proof sled if all is well.
Yeah I added a bunch (half a can) of sea foam before riding yesterday. Gas mileage is horrrrrible, as I've only put MAYBE 20 miles on the thing, and have went through 7-8 gallons of gas! I know some of that was attributed to the stuck-open choke on the first day, but I used about 3 gallons today!
I know absolutely nothing about working on the clutches, but I guess I'll have to youtube it!
I might just use it as it is for the remainder of the season. Might have 2 more weeks of ice fishing left before it gets too sketchy for me!
But spring/summer I will DEFINITELY be going through this thing, top to bottom, to try to get it running as good as I can! 30mph and 2mpg just won't cut it for me next winter!!!
Edit: here's a video of the bog in deeper snow: http://youtu.be/GfZYtmusoX0
I know absolutely nothing about working on the clutches, but I guess I'll have to youtube it!
I might just use it as it is for the remainder of the season. Might have 2 more weeks of ice fishing left before it gets too sketchy for me!
But spring/summer I will DEFINITELY be going through this thing, top to bottom, to try to get it running as good as I can! 30mph and 2mpg just won't cut it for me next winter!!!
Edit: here's a video of the bog in deeper snow: http://youtu.be/GfZYtmusoX0
Last edited: