04 RMK 700 starting issues

[GT800sdi]

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Guys, I bought a mint 04 RMK 700 144" off of a buddy of mine this summer. No issues with it. Sled worked perfectly where he lived. I live further north, and it's been really cold so far this winter. First half of December had temps hovering around -30C plus windchill (Yes, I know windchill doesn't effect sleds). Anyways, I had some trouble with the sled, the engine was really boggy.. We took it apart, and the carbs were out of sync. Put the machine back, and noticed that the thermostat had been unplugged for quite awhile. We adjusted the idler air screw. Sled seemed to work fine in the heated garage. Anyways, after a few days of real cold temps, I couldn't get the machine to pull over. The cord was like it was seized. After pulling on it about 75-100 times. It would catch, but then flood. After about 200 times pulling, it worked like a charm. No exaggeration. Next day, same story. Put it in the heated garage, same thing. It's like all the gas is running out, then it floods itself. Any ideasÉ The only suggestion I received was to install a primer kit...

Then I wonder if the choke and idler screw settings are off. I ordered a service manual, but I won`t receive it for another 2-3 weeks. Can anyone help out?

 

[02RMKer159]

If you think it's not getting gas at first and then floods after many pulls I think I would start with checking the floats in the carbs and see if their working properly. If the sled sat for a while it's always a good idea to go through the carbs and get them cleaned up they could have some built up crud in them. As far as you recoil on you pull start you may want to see if the parts inside are all functioning properly might have something broke inside there too.
Just some ideas of where I'd start. Process of elimination.

 

[the fix-it guy]

Inspect the needles and seats in your cards, sounds like they are not seating properly and letting gas flood the engine when it is not running. This is why it feels locked up at first. They may have some crud caught on them or they made be worn, also check float level and verify they are working.

 

[GT800sdi]

Turns out that the engine was hydrolocked. The other morning I took the plugs out. The cylinders were filled with gas. I mean, every time I pulled the cord, clouds of gas would spit out of the tops of the cylinders. The fuel diaphragm appears fine, has a good seal. It was warped a little so I have ordered new ones. The floats seemed okay too. I have been turning the fuel off in the night time, and haven't had a problem starting it since. Starting on the first pull, even with the cold weather.