Tips on starting Ski Doo 583 with primer

[CigarGuy]

Last year I bought a Ski Doo Formula583 and MXZ 583. Both had new needle and seats put in and gone thru by a shop. I'm having trouble finding the "sweet spot" by priming that they like to start, even after I run for a while, I'm having trouble getting them started from time to time. I can usally do better getting them started cold by priming a few times, after they have been run for a while, I start by pulling a few times, if that doesn't work, I prime them a couple times. Sometimes I have to let them sit for a a period of time before I can get them going. I haven't owned sleds in a long time and sure could use some advise on what I can go do get these things started more consistently. Thanks.....

[leech~~]

I have had a few Skidoo's and it does take a nack to see what they like with the primer deal. Once they are warmed up and run for a while I never tried priming them when running around during the day unless it was really cold and they sat for a while. It seemed like most cold mornings the prime plunger would be a little tight or feel stuck and the first pull or so felt like there was nothing there. I would just pull out very slowly at first to get it lose and then pump maybe 3 shots and give her a try. I do know once you flood them out it takes a long time to clear them before they will start again!

[CigarGuy]

Thanks Leech, tf this keeps up, I might have to buy a stretch limo like you have! Seriously, I don't know why I let my 20 year old son talk me into buying these, I need something with electric start and reverse for the elderly! I got to take both of mine for a spin out on the lake today! I hope to meet up with you guy's this year for a ride! After going back and forth with you last year and reading your recent posts on sillytown, we are like long lost bro's!

[leech~~]

Thanks Leech, tf this keeps up, I might have to buy a stretch limo like you have! Seriously, I don't know why I let my 20 year old son talk me into buying these, I need something with electric start and reverse for the elderly! I got to take both of mine for a spin out on the lake today! I hope to meet up with you guy's this year for a ride! After going back and forth with you last year and reading your recent posts on sillytown, we are like long lost bro's!

Hey, watch that for the elderly stuff!

I am "entitled" at my "experience level" to have a little more dependable and comfortable sled!

Hopefully you can make it up for one of the rides we setup this winter.

[Surface Tension]

The primer is the way to as opposed to the fuel enrichment.

3 full shots when cold. I say full because depending on the condition of the primer it might lose prime. You'll feel the difference when its pumping fuel or air. The sled should start with one or two pulls.

Restarting when warm you wouldn't prime and if you do more times then not you got the plugs wet. Waiting or pulling the engine over with throttle wide open to clear out the fuel.

[CigarGuy]

Thanks guy's. I've never had a "primer" sled and it sure takes some getting use to, should never of let my son talk me into it. I need something build for an older guy! If I didn't have two kids in college, I would be getting a nice comfortable stretch limo with reverse and electric start! I tempted to sell both and get one!

[leech~~]

Thanks guy's. I've never had a "primer" sled and it sure takes some getting use to, should never of let my son talk me into it. I need something build for an older guy! If I didn't have two kids in college, I would be getting a nice comfortable stretch limo with reverse and electric start! I tempted to sell both and get one!

Hey, once my kids were in college even though they said they would still ride and do other stuff with dad. Not so much with all the studying and "other" stuff that goes on. So, sold the 4 wheelers and two older sleds and updated a little. But, talk to them because you don't want to lose any connections you may have doing things with them as well.

[magicstix]

Pretty much ditto on what both Leech and ST said.

Mine was 440zx and was dialed in. Depending on temp 2-3 full primes, 1-2 pulls and let idle to warm up. If it's really cold below zero and it sounds like it was going to die out I'd give it 1 prime to keep it going. Also if it was really cold I'd have to give it a little squirt to get it moving the first time as I was taking off. Normal temp days No Prime after first start of day unless it didn't fire after 3-4 pulls, then 1 prime. Below zero maybe 1-2 primes, you'll have feel it out what it likes.

Same as others said if you do think you've flooded it, pull it over few times with throttle open until you hear it stutter, then be ready to let off throttle because it's probably going to fire off then.

Resist the urge to prime when hot or on restarts. I think to many folks get primer happy.

IMO I loved the primer system but I know others that don't like it so much. That little 440 was by far my favorite sled I ever owned. On hard pack, tight trails or ditch banging it was fun to PO the 600 class guys up to the 75-80mph mark then they'd catch me or in deeper snow I didn't have a chance.

I think once you get the hang of the primer you'll love it. Have a great winter.

[CigarGuy]

Thanks again for your thoughts/suggestions. The sleds are what keeps the kids coming up, along with fishing for my son. He and his girlfriend were just up last weekend, he got to run them on the lake while fishing and was a happy camper! When I talk about trading them off and buying a stretch limo, he gets bummed out. Magicstix, my biggest problem is getting it going after I flood it. I hold the throttle open and give it a several pulls and it's takes a long time to get it going. I pulled the dam thing in the garage Saturday, because I couldn't get it going.

[leech~~]

Thanks again for your thoughts/suggestions. The sleds are what keeps the kids coming up, along with fishing for my son. He and his girlfriend were just up last weekend, he got to run them on the lake while fishing and was a happy camper! When I talk about trading them off and buying a stretch limo, he gets bummed out. Magicstix, my biggest problem is getting it going after I flood it. I hold the throttle open and give it a several pulls and it's takes a long time to get it going. I pulled the dam thing in the garage Saturday, because I couldn't get it going.

When you have those starting issues. Pull the plugs right away and see if they are wet or dry? If wet then cut back on your priming pumps, if dry try a few more or pull the hose at the carb and pump it to make sure the pump is working. I think it maybe they are wet and you may need to cut back on the pump strokes?

[CigarGuy]

They are wet. I pull them (plugs), give several pulls with the plugs out, change plugs, try heating them. After all that, I don't prime, pull again, might pop once and can't get it to go. Pull plugs and about 50% of the time they're wet. I know it sounds like I over prime, but depending on the feel if pumping fuel or air, I only prime 3 full pumps. I also try varing, from not priming to 3 pumps!

[leech~~]

They are wet. I pull them (plugs), give several pulls with the plugs out, change plugs, try heating them. After all that, I don't prime, pull again, might pop once and can't get it to go. Pull plugs and about 50% of the time they're wet. I know it sounds like I over prime, but depending on the feel if pumping fuel or air, I only prime 3 full pumps. I also try varing, from not priming to 3 pumps!

Odd, how old is the gas in your sled? Have you ran a whole tank out this fall-winter since storing them last year? If the gas is a little watered down it may have some burning issues. Also, you said that you had two sleds right? Is this happening to both or one more then the other? You may want to try a compression check and see where your at? Got to have Fuel-Compression-Fire or it's not going to run or very well.

[Surface Tension]

If you have pooling(flooded)in the crank it'll take more then 3 pulls to clear it out.

I don't know if that engine has a drain plug located on the bottom of the crankcase. If so drain it.

The gas, if its old chances are it could have moister in it. Your tank is vented and that means being exposed to the atmosphere. Oxygenated fuel will absorb that moister to a saturation point. Heating the spark plug just leaves soot. I clean the plugs and finish up with carb cleaner.

Got spark?

Shut the fuel off and try starting. Check the plugs again and repeat.

Once you see the plugs are dry then open the fuel ad try and start.

Don't prime till your sure it needs it.

If your still getting wet plugs I'd hook up a remote tank to your fuel line. If you have an out board use that tank. Prime the hose and try. This is to eliminate a fuel problem is old gas, water int he gas.

Still wet plugs I say you have a stuck inlet vale/needle and seat. I've even seen the main jet fall out.

[CigarGuy]

Ya, I have two with the 583, primer. I had them both out this past wknd and they ran good. Seems like I have trouble with one or the other at times. It's got to be me doing something wrong. Bought them last year from two different people. Some of last years gas and added a little this year. They both have good compression when I last checked last year and both have good spark.

[CigarGuy]

Ok, seem to have the primer figured out for the few times I've had them out. New problem today, my son pulled the pull cord out to start it and it won't go back in. Did a few youtube videos and think I can handle the fix. But, is a spring or something else broken that's not allowing the cord to retract?

[leech~~]

You will not know until you open her up?

[CigarGuy]

Thanks leech, after a little more googling, thats what I figured. Hopefully, the shop in Cook will have what I need when I get into it tomorrow. Put the damper on a run into "The Landing" for a cold one and a appetizer with my son.

[CigarGuy]

It was a broken recoil spring, about 2" on the end broke off. With help from the neighbor, we grinded down the end smooth, heating up and put a nice curl back in it, reassembled and worked as good as new!

[uffdapete]

Just saw this post. I just sold a 94 Summit 583 two weeks ago for some of the same reasons you are having trouble with. Mostly I just didn't use it enough though. ST and Leech covered all the advice I would have as far as priming. If I flooded my sled by priming it too much it would start in 10-20 pulls holding the throttle open. I just couldn't pull it over anymore with one hand while holding the throttle with the other. Same old guy issues :-(

Once the primer learning curve was completed it was a great motor and sled. Never had any other issues with it in 6 years. Another sled with electric start is in the after retirement plan.

[CigarGuy]

I got them started without much trouble all wknd. I'm also getting too old to be pull starting them and pushing them around, I need electric start and reverse-might have to make a move before the end of the season.....I'm sure my wife will veto that idea!!!!