11 Troubleshooting Tips for a Non-Starting Snowmobile
If your snowmobile won't start, don't call a mechanic just yet
When there’s a chill in the air, it’s time to turn in your swimsuit for a snowsuit and hop on a snowmobile.
But what do you do when your snowmobile simply won't start? Read on for 11 troubleshooting tips to help you out.
Once your snowmobile is running again, learn how to prep and maintain it through the season and store it properly for summer with our blogs.
1. NO FUEL IN THE TANK
Is it possible you forgot you removed all the gas at the end of last season? Sounds silly, but it happens. You’ve slept since then. You worked and played hard elsewhere for the last 8 months or more. So, check your gas tank. This is the first item to check off your list—and one of the easiest.
2. SWITCHED ON OR OFF?
D’OH! Yeah, rookie mistake, right? This is a really simple potential solution. See if your switch is set to "ON" or "OFF." Then don’t tell ANYONE what happened if it works.
3. REPLACE OLD GAS WITH NEW GAS
Just like with your lawnmower, pressure washer, or snowblower, your snowmobile tends to sit for months.
This matters because gas has a shelf life—a good point to keep in mind for any outdoor equipment that uses it. Even if you use a stabilizer, your gas could still be old. In some cases you may choose to your equipment out of gas, but if you prefer to use a stabilizer and the shut-off valve, this could be your culprit.
Empty the fuel in the tank and replace it with fresh gas.
4. BAD BATTERY OR FAULTY WIRING
Like your gasoline, your battery remains unused for many months at a time. A battery’s life cycle can be drastically cut short due to inactivity; an inactive battery will discharge and continue to break down internally.
Batteries will typically last 2-5 years depending on the type, but if the battery has a charge going through it during the off-season, it may be able to survive its typical life expectancy. A smart/trickle charger can protect the battery.
Checking over the condition of your wiring and connections is also a good idea. You can even look at your voltage regulator. We tend to forget that these sleds are exposed to the elements. Even though there might be a protective shroud over key components, it’s always best to give those parts a once-over.
5. SPARK PLUGS BRING LIFE
It’s really amazing how such small parts of an engine can be the life or death of a snowmobile. Spark plugs ignite the fuel, sending a blast of raw power through your equipment. If they’re defective, however, you won’t be able to operate the sled.
The good news is that The ROP Shop carries various spark plugs (at a very affordable price).
Bonus tip: make a habit of checking and/or replacing those spark plugs regularly. Your owner's manual should include how often you should replace your snowmobile's spark plugs, but in case you've lost the manual, it might help to know that Ski-Doo recommends changing the spark plugs every 3 years or 6,000 miles, whichever is sooner, for several of their newer snowmobiles.
Nevertheless, why not make it a yearly pre-season habit to check your snowmobile's spark plug (and keep some spare spark plugs on hand)?
6. OLD OIL AND OIL FILTERS
Just like it’s vital to change the oil in your car, you need to change the oil for your snowmobile. Failure to change the oil over long periods of time can trigger other complications, including failure to start.
While you are at it, replacing the oil filter is a good idea too. We just might have the one you need.
7. FUEL LINES CHECKUP
Your fuel lines could be blocked, preventing gas from entering the engine. To examine the lines, remove the shroud covering the motor. You can also look at your fuel primer/plunger for issues, or replace it with one from The ROP Shop.
8. CARBURETOR CLEANER AND STARTING FLUID
Fuel lines and a carburetor which have dried out are another possibility.
If the snowmobile has not been started and run in a while, this is normal and can often be fixed by using a carburetor cleaner and/or starter fluid.
If the combustion chamber doesn’t receive any fuel, you might have to rebuild or replace the carburetor.
9. CLUTCH OR CARBURETOR SETTINGS
Take a close look at your carburetor and clutch setup if you find that your snowmobile struggles to idle—or can’t do so at all.
When taking your sled into the hills, the elevation can affect how your machine performs. This is something that even seasoned riders don’t always take into account. You may need to adjust your settings.
Additionally, be careful not to over-choke the engine. By waiting a bit between tries, you can avoid flooding the motor. However, an engine that floods easily could also be a sign that you need to clean or replace your carburetor.
See The ROP Shop’s selection of carburetors.
10. BAD FUEL PUMP
If you’ve deduced that the problem is not connected to your fuel filter, motor, or another piece of equipment, odds are that your fuel pump is the culprit, especially if you tend to lose power regularly.
See The ROP Shop's selection of fuel pumps.
A pinched fuel line or other motor problems are another possible reason for the loss of power in these situations.
11. GASKET CASE
The scariest situation is that there’s little to no pressure in your cylinders. However, it is more likely that the problems are less drastic.
Tighten the cylinder head nuts first and then follow that up by checking the gaskets. Your starting issue could be damaged gaskets, worn-out piston rings, a scored cylinder or piston, a bad crank seal or reed valve, or a damaged head gasket.
Using a compression tester or contacting a place that can service your snowmobile will be the best way to go if the problem looks too serious.
STAY RUGGED
We hope these tips have been helpful as you troubleshoot your snowmobile.
Don't forget that preparing your snowmobile for the season and storing it properly when the snow melts can help you avoid issues down the road.
Many times, the issues you experience are minor things that can be easily replaced with an OEM or aftermarket part. Having a reliable place to purchase those items quickly and affordably is what The ROP Shop is all about. It is always our goal to help you Stay Rugged.
Getting back to work?
Once the fun of snowmobiling is over, you have to return to real life—like clearing snow instead of sledding on top of it.
Let us help you out. Read our blog to learn about topics like
- The basics of snowplowing
- Choosing a salt spreader
- Prepping your snowblower for storage
- Installing driveway markers (the easy way)
...and a lot more with Rugged U.
[EDITED 10/2023]