Ideas??

[AF-1984]

I have a 1994 Polaris Indy 500 EFI. I am brand new to snowmobiling so I don't know anything about them. I am having trouble getting it started. With some starting fluid I can get it going. However, then it will bog down after giving it gas. I have very slowly been able to get it going faster and faster, however the bog will not go away.

This is the first year the sled has been run in a few years. Now for my questions. What purpose does the battery actually serve? Would that have anything to do with it not being able to start? Is there an electric fuel pump? Would that run off of the battery? I can see the fuel going through the fuel filter. Should that fuel filter be "full" of gas? Or should the gas just be flowing through?

There appears to be no leaks in any gas lines. Any suggestions would be great or if anyone would want to look at the sled/repair it, I would be willing to pay.

Thanks in advance.

[hksbh]

The 94 EFI needs a good battery to run and that is more than likely what is wrong

[fishonnopeoff]

Never use starting fluid! The battery is a good place to start. It does run the EFI.

[ChuckN]

Yep, what they said! Check the battery to see if it is good, otherwise buy a new battery and go from there to trouble shoot. With the efi system and a good battery it's going to take a professional to diagnose the problem. That battery driven design is very sensitive to voltage...

How old is the gas? Another thing to consider.. add some seafoam to the gas too.

[Black_Bay]

If it hasn't run in a few years my bet is that the fuel system is the culprit. In my opinion it's most likely gunked up pretty good. Replace the fuel filter and check the fuel lines also. I'm not so sure they used fuel lines that were ethanol proof back in '94. As the others said make sure your battery is good.

[captainshane]

WE HAVE A 95 INDY THE WAS VERY HARD TO START, 20 TO 30 PULLS SOMETIMES. WHEN IT DID START IT WAS HARD TO KEEP RUNNING. ALSO BOGGY WHILE RIDING. TOOK IT TO A SMALL ENGINE MECHANIC AND HE CLEANED THE CARBS AND REPLACED THE SEAT AND NEEDLE IN EACH CARB. NOW STARTS ON THE 2ND OR 3RD PULL AND IDLES PERFECTLLY! THE SEAT AND NEEDLE DID NOT HAVE A GOOD SEAL WITH EACH OTHER.

SHANE

[jiganator]

First off...NEVER..EVER...USE STARTING FLUID IN A TWO STROKE ENGINE!!!!!(I use statring fluid on NO engines)

The starting fluid washes ALL the lube off the pistons and you are doing damage with every stroke of the piston.

I would do as others have already said...start with the battery. If that don't work. I would go with all NEW fuel, empty the take and change fuel filter. Then I would check compression w/a comp. tester. If one or more of the pistons are scored(rings stuck) many times the engine will never be able to start or pull it's self up off a idel

Has this sled ever ran since you have owned it?

[hanson]

Lots of good advice so far.

While your wrenching around, make sure that your engine is running on both cylinders. Check for spark on both sides, and it wouldn't hurt to put a compression gauge on there are see where you sit for compression on each side. That gauge might show you your problem. If compression is OK, you eliminated 1 major problem and can now work on other areas.

Most 2 cylinder sleds will run on 1 cylinder, although very rough and "boggy".

Even though I have an EFI, I know very little about them. Is there a chance that one of your injectors is gummed up a little (similar to having a dirty carb)?

[Gus]

Are you hearing the fuel pump kick on when you turn the key past run? You should hear it pump. Then after that with each pull of the cord you should hear it pump again. If it's not pumping you need to first check the battery then probably the pump or injectors. I'm not sure if they are one in the same or not. But I do know you have to have a good charged battery and hear that pump kick on with these EFI polaris machines. I'm running a 92 500 EFI.

[AF-1984]

Thanks for all the posts. I checked the battery. WORTHLESS. Im gonna start there and see what happens. Hopefully this will solve the problem. Just want it ready for the next time it snows.

[AF-1984]

Put a new battery in this weekend. Started on the second pull. Runs great now. Thanks for the advice.

[fishonnopeoff]

Glad to hear you figured it out! Now............if it would only snow.

[hanson]

Wow! That was simple!

I'm glad my Cat has batteryless EFI. One less thing to worry about.