My 2004 MC900 has eaten 3 mag side pistons in 5 years. Every time it was on the first ride of the season. I use star tron every spring and drain and refresh my fuel each winter before use. Sled is mapped for high altitude (ECU) but dealer told me to just run high test an leave it alone for NE riding (below 4000' alt.) I have replaced the oil and fuel pumps. Any useful advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Why does my 900 carb love to eat mag side piston
- Thread starter neclimber
- Start date
D
diggerdown
Well-known member
There is a very long list of possiblities. Carb sync., this means everything, slides air screws fuel screws. Crank sync., reeds, air leaks (crank, base gasket, head o-rings, carb boot). If it is always on the first ride of the year I would say you have a jet plugged in the carb. I know nothing about star tron, but I've seen crude grow in carbs with guys using stabile and other products. Before first ride of each year pull the carbs and take out all the jets and screws, clean and you should not have an issue. Running that low you should be running zr needles too.
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Arctic Thunder
Well-known member
Whatever star tron is I would quit using it.
In the spring, make sure you are running a non ethanol fuel for storage, I personally have had pretty good luck with staybil. I add it to my last tank of the year. again non ethanol fuel for storage. Suck the tank empty, leave the the carbs alone.
then in the fall when you are getting ready to ride, top of the sled with premium fuel, I also add in about 2-3 gallons of av gas to each sled. Just to make sure the first tank fuel is high octane and has better detonation control.
drain the carbs, pull the rope and go. I know these sleds have pretty high compression. so if you have slightly less than perfect fuel and are running under 4000' you could easily have detonation problems.
Just my two bits.
Thunder
In the spring, make sure you are running a non ethanol fuel for storage, I personally have had pretty good luck with staybil. I add it to my last tank of the year. again non ethanol fuel for storage. Suck the tank empty, leave the the carbs alone.
then in the fall when you are getting ready to ride, top of the sled with premium fuel, I also add in about 2-3 gallons of av gas to each sled. Just to make sure the first tank fuel is high octane and has better detonation control.
drain the carbs, pull the rope and go. I know these sleds have pretty high compression. so if you have slightly less than perfect fuel and are running under 4000' you could easily have detonation problems.
Just my two bits.
Thunder
S
shanderson62
Member
check your crank, my 03 melted then mag side and i found the crank had started to seperate. (three piece crankshaft).
