Snowmobiles aren't starting up? What are some things to try?

[ADH1]

All of our good snowmobiles are at my dad's friends house. My friend is coming over Friday and we really want to ride our old one. The only problem is... it won't start up. We put a good amount of gas in the tank, and started pulling... but no luck. Anything else we should try?

It's about a 10 year old ski-doo by the way.

Thank you.

 

[StevenA]

First thing I'd check is if you are getting spark or not. Pull the spark plug attache the wire and ground it against the head or block and give her a pull. Be careful because if you ground yourself too you'll get a pretty good shock. You should see a good strong spark at the base of the plug. If there is no spark check that the plug wire(s) are connected properly to the distributor or coil. If you aren't getting spark I don't know where to tell you to go next. Unless you have some experience and skill with engines you have more of a chance of messing things up than fixing them if you start messing with the timing and such. If you have good spark, the next thing to check is if the fuel is getting into the combustion chamber so the spark can fire it. If fuel is getting there you should be able to smell it through the plug hole when you pull the starter rope with the plug out. If you have been pulling the engine through several cycles and it wasn't fireing the combustion chamber will generally be "flooded" and the plug would have been wet with fuel when you pulled it if fuel is getting there. If you have no fuel check the fuel line and see if it or the fuel filter are plugged. If I think of anything else that could help I'll add it latter.

 

[woodman3056]

Make sure the key is "ON" , the kill switch out and the tether is attached (if so equipped) and check for spark.

Be sure the fuel valve is "OPEN". Use fresh fuel. Make sure the carburetor(s) is/are thoroughly clean. All passageways must not be gummed up or plugged.

Check the fuel lines for cracks or pinches. Is the fuel filter plugged?