super hard cold starting

ogre63_06 · Post by **ogre63_06** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:28 am

I have a 79' trailfire 340. Once I get it started it runs great and when it is warm it will start as soon as the recoil handle comes out of it's holder. Once the sled sits over night or even for 2-3 hours it starts incredibly hard. If it sits for a week i have a puddle of gas/oil mix under the sled. I am guessing that i have a crankcase seal out and that the sled is losing it's prime. I put a new in tank filter/checkvalve in the tank so i don't think that it is losing it's prime there. I have been told horror stories of having a crankcase seal out causing the motor to suck air and lean it out and then it blows so i am done riding until i get this figured out. Sorry about the long post but for those of you that read this what do you think?

ogre63_06 · Post by **ogre63_06** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:31 pm

Would it matter if the washer on the needle jet was homemade and might not be a extremely tight seal? According to my parts manual this washer isn't supposed to come off but i was having carb problems and when i removed the throtle valve assembly the needle jet came with it. I made the washer and might not be the tightest seal. Let me know what you think.

sporty440 · Post by **sporty440** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:39 am

the washer on the jet needle isnt the problem, in fact on most older carbs its lost or missing. the problem is the fuel inlet valve aka needle and seat. when the fuel level rises in the bowl so do the floats wich contact the float arms . once the fuel level is high enough in the bowl the float arms will raise the needle and shut off fuel inlet. thats not happening in your carb . so either replace the needle and seat or install an inline fuel shut off valve between the tank and the pump and shut the fuel off when sled is not running.

Mr. Deere · Post by **Mr. Deere** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:23 pm

Take your bowl off the carbs if you know anything about doing so or send them to a small engine repair shop and check to see that there is no sludge in the bottom making it harder for your floats to come up. BOB

ogre63_06 · Post by **ogre63_06** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:16 pm

took off the carb and it looked fine. put a fuel shut off on it and now it can sit for a week and start on the first pull. thanks for all the help.

Mr. Deere · Post by **Mr. Deere** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 8:08 pm

Ya the Shut off really helps I have one and i have no FLOODING PROBLEMS> BOB

sporty440 · Post by **sporty440** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:04 pm

Thats great. I love it when stuff gets fixed!! Now all we need is some snow!!!

Mr. Deere · Post by **Mr. Deere** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:48 pm

YA TELL ME SOMETHING I DONT KNOW BOB

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:06 pm

Not to rain on this parade but. Isnt putting a fuel shut off valve on this machine the same as putting a screw in a tire to keep air in it? Sounds like the problem was just by-passed by the fuel shut off valve, but if it makes you happy. Sounds like a carb rebuild would cure the problem. Just my opinion guys!!

harleysportster · Post by **harleysportster** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:44 pm

Danzig is right. Eventually the carb will start flooding out at idle if the needle and seat are going bad.

Mr. Deere · Post by **Mr. Deere** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:07 pm

Mine chokes out at idel how come. It will back up on it self. Maybe just needs some WOT time but CANT BECAUSE OF NO SNOW. MAYBE FLURRIES TONIGHT BUT I DOUGHT IT BOB maybe i should make that $5 bet with my dad. Hmmmmm <_<

sporty440 · Post by **sporty440** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 4:34 pm

ooops , nevermind

chains1017 · Post by **chains1017** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 2:36 pm

Am running to my trail fire to look for puddles! Woo hoo, checked for everything, but forgot about too much fuel as I always seem to deal with lack of fuel !