flooded snowmobile

[PmDavis300]

so my snowmobile flooded really really bad, so much so that i had to take it in to the mechanic to fix it. what causes this? he thinks there is a leak in the carburetor... which is possible. can to much idling also cause the flooding? any other ideas??

[tyeeme]

Im not sure what kind of sled you have but normally fuel sitting in the carb over summer will erode the needle that controls fuel flow. not a hard fix. I had that problem only my machine backfired and went up in flames. Fog and run the fuel out of it every year.

[croixflats]

Nice pointer tyeeme. I had a bit of a laugh when reading your post. After reading "my machined backfired and went up in flames." then the next 3 words were "Fog and run" I got a chuckle. Well I guess I'm easily entertained.

[tyeeme]

The funniest part of it it was a polaris and the 1st responder showed up with artic cat jacket on needless to say he chuckled to

[Grainbelt]

I've had a bad diaphram in the fuel pump do it on an indy trail.

[PmDavis300]

I've had a bad diaphram in the fuel pump do it on an indy trail.

delivering to much fuel somehow or what?

[PmDavis300]

1990 arctic cat jag afs deluxe is the sled

[maxx rpm]

Since you just got the sled, and dont know the real history, the carb needs to be cleaned. Pretty easy and straightforward task. If they havnt worked on it yet, i would bring it back home and clean up the carb yourself. Still plenty of time to work on it before the snow. Save a lot of $$ too. Too much idling wont cause the problem, the problem is in the carb. I would guess that old/bad gas may have the floats stuck.

[PmDavis300]

i already cleaned the carb. i think he is going to rebuild it for me. id rather he do it, im not familiar with mikuni carbs. rather it get done right then be stranded in a -20 windchill

[Grainbelt]

Unless I shut the gas valve off when trailering, the gas was passing through and filling up the crank.

[Surface Tension]

Fuel running past the inlet valve and into the crank.

That is from improper float drop or bad needle and seat(inlet valve)

You need the carb cleaned, float drop checked, and a carb kit installed.

[PmDavis300]

ok thanks for explaining.

[BoxMN]

Hey Frank, is that due to simply age, or is there something we can do to prevent that from happening? Not doing it on mine, yet, but want to do what I can to have it not happen.

Or is it as simple as cleaning carbs each fall/spring?

Thanks, great info.

[Surface Tension]

Could happen from a few things. More common that the needle and seat just wear out. Sometimes the replacement needle and seat are improved over the original.

A piece of crud gets stick in there the inlet valve and it can't shut off the fuel. Sometimes if you drain the bowl what is caught in there will flush out.

Varnishing on the needle and seat till is just doesn't seat well.

Once in a while you'll see a float with a hole corroded into.

Or the carb was cleaned and unknowingly the tang got bent and float drop changed.

[BoxMN]

Or the carb was cleaned and unknowingly the tang got bent and float drop changed.

After my outboard carb job this spring, I learned all about bent/wrong tangs and float adjustments doh!!!! ...so I follow you! Thanks for info!

[Surface Tension]

Your very welcome Box.