Hey gang I have a problem with my wifes XLT. It is an absolute pig to start when cold. Sometimes it is 15 -20 mins to get it going. After it has run for a few minutes it will start first pull everytime for the rest of the day. It is almost like it is flooding its self. It matters not if you use the choke or not it is just terrible to start. I finnaly get it going by putting the choke on full and hold the throttle wide open and pull until you can't stand it anymore and then it starts to fire. If you pull the plugs they are full of gas, if you heat them up some it will fire once and then nothing again. It has me baffled all to hell. As I said earlier once it run for a few minutes it will start one pull for the rest of the day. Any help would be appreciated.
1997 XLT RMK problem
- Thread starter ape
- Start date
Check that your choke plungers are not hanging up and are seating properly, if they are good you probably have a needle and seat assembly leaking in one or more of the carbs. The old tripples can be quirky to start, try starting it first without using the chokes, then if you need to flip them up.
Like Jay said, make sure the "choke" plungers aren't hanging up and are sealing.
Try draining the crank case. There is most likely fuel in there. This will cause wet plugs after a few pulls and it is a real pain to get running.
I had the same issues with my XLT and once the case was drained it fired up in 2 pulls. I suspect a bad needle and seat(or 2 or 3) causing this, letting fuel drain while it is sitting.
Try draining the crank case. There is most likely fuel in there. This will cause wet plugs after a few pulls and it is a real pain to get running.
I had the same issues with my XLT and once the case was drained it fired up in 2 pulls. I suspect a bad needle and seat(or 2 or 3) causing this, letting fuel drain while it is sitting.
I will check the choke plungers to make sure they are seating. How would one drain the crank case. I would assume that there is a drain plug on there somewhere so one could do this.
What I did after our last ride was to shut off the fuel valve and let it run out the carbs so as to make sure that fuel is not flowing into the carbs and cylinders after it is shut off.
Thanks I will get on this tomorrow and let you guys know how I made out.
Well apparently shutting off the fuel prior to shutting off the machine at the end of the day is the trick. Went out today to fire it up and it fired up fairly well. It was by no means on the first pull but that was because I had drained the carbs before shutting down the other day. Draining the crank case and this just maybe the trick. I will also check the carbs and choke plungers as well. Thanks guys.
I was havin the same problem with the fuel in my 98 700...I was also havin to shut the fuel off...but what bothered me was this was all of a sudden ...so while repairing my broken radius arm I pulled the carbs and found a big chunk of dirt under the float needle..I had to have done it myself when I did a carb check earlier this season, cause I have a filter. Guess it happens!
On that XLT, replace existing needle (metal) and seat, with the Viton tipped needle and seat (about $40), this will cure your problem or as mentioned above turn off fuel when sled is not in use.
I will look into this new needle and seat set up
