Snowmobile Won't Start: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide (2023)

Sometimes a snowmobile won't start due to technical issues. There's no need to panic if your snowmobile won't start because we'll walk you through troubleshooting steps in this article.

The main things to check when a snowmobile won't start are the spark, fuel and compression. Most issues that cause a snowmobile to have trouble starting can be traced back to one of these issues.

All the instructions here are simple to follow, even for people with no machine troubleshooting experience.

Things to Check If Your Snowmobile Won't Start

You should check the things we have listed below ifThe snowmobile does not start🇧🇷 Please note that it is best to follow the instructions in the order in which we have put them together, as this is the order in which the most common problems arise. These are the things you should check.

Check fuel problems

Fuel can prevent your snowmobile from starting. First you need to check whether there is enough fuel in the tank. It would also be helpful if you could confirm that you didn't accidentally press the power button.

Some machines even have a fuel shutoff valve that prevents the slider from starting when turned off. These are common things to check, but you might be surprised how easy it is to miss something simple.

If you have enough fuel but the snowmobile still won't start, here's what to do:

clean fuel lines

If the fuel lines are clogged, fuel will not reach the engine and it will not start. Carefully remove the hood covering the engine and inspect the fuel lines. If you notice clots along the fuel line, you must manually clear it to allow fuel to flow freely.

• To manually clear the fuel lines, you must activate and remove the disconnect switch.spark plug.
• After that, you need to pull the starter rope several times, keeping the throttle open.
• You can even check if fuel is flowing from the fuel line.
• If fuel can flow through the fuel lines, it is not clogged.
• Reinstall the spark plug and restart the engine.
• If it doesn't boot, continue to the next step.

Here is a helpful video showing how to troubleshoot and replace the fuel lines if you think this is the problem:

Replace fuel and oil

If you leave fuel and oil in the tank too long, they will age. If obsolescence is the problem, the solution is quite simple.

Replace old fuel and oil with new ones. This simple step can save you from unnecessary stress. However, if the problem persists, try the next step.

remove fuel from engine

Note that you must draw fuel from the engine and not the fuel tank. We'll explain how you can do this and tell you why it's important. If there is too much fuel in the engine, the engine will overload (flood) and will not start. Several reasons can cause excess fuel to enter the engine.

• This will help remove fuel from your engine and stop over-revving.
• Remove the spark plug and turn off the choke.
• Close the fuel shutoff valve.
• Crank the engine several times to expel all excess fuel from the engine.

Clean the carburetor with starting fluid

The carburetor can dry out and collect dust, especially if you leave your snowmobile for a long time. A dry or dusty carburetor can prevent the engine from starting, so you need to clean it.

• Spray starting fluid into the carburetor inlet for three seconds.
• Be careful not to use too much starting fluid as too much can damage the engine.
• Three seconds of spraying is enough to clean and lubricate the carburetor.
• Start the snowmobile to see if it works now.

Here's a short video showing the complete cleaning of a snowmobile's carburetor when it needs more than just a spray of starting fluid:

Check spark plug problems

A snowmobile will not start if the spark plug is bad, so you should check that your snowmobile's spark plug is still in good condition. This is how you can check the condition of the spark plug.

Remove the hood covering the snowmobile's engine and examine the physical condition of the connector. If you notice cuts, pitting or discoloration, it means the connector is damaged.

Most of the time, excessive heat and engine vibration are responsible for this type of damage. If you haven't noticed any damage, look at the spark produced by the spark plug.

This is how you can make the spark plug create sparks and interpret them.

• Remove the spark plug from the engine and ground it to the snowmobile frame.
• Make sure the spark plug wire is still connected to the spark plug even when not in the engine.
• Now try to start the snowmobile and see if the spark plug sparks.

If it produces no spark or yellow sparks, it means that the spark plug is faulty. If it produces blue sparks, it means that the spark plug is good.

Keep in mind that candles work better outside the furnace than inside, so blue sparks don't always indicate a good candle.

If after performing the above tests, the results indicate that the spark plug is bad, you will need to replace it. Also, you need to check the spark plug wire and make sure it is in good condition.

Vibrations can cause the ignition wire to rub against sharp edges and, as a result, be destroyed. Replace the spark plug wire if you notice cuts on it.

Here is a short video of more spark plug troubleshooting if you think this is your problem. If you keep getting your plugs dirty, here is a helpful video for you:

Check electrical problems

A faulty electrical system will prevent the snowmobile from starting. Since snowmobiles are often exposed to snow, snow can melt around a warm engine and enter the electrical system as a liquid. Of course, the liquid will corrode metal accessories and cause other damage.

To identify this type of problem, you must open the compartment where the electrical system is located. Carefully inspect all wires and terminals. Look out for things like corrosion, burns, damaged insulation, cuts and tears.

Reconnect any breaks and replace any damaged terminals or wires. If the engine does not start even though everything looks clean, you should proceed to the next step.

replace stator

A stator is a component of a snowmobile engine. It is the stator that generates electricity for ignition, so the engine cannot start if it is faulty.

If your new battery runs out in a short amount of time, that's a good indication that your stator isn't doing its job.

On most snowmobile models, the stator is located inside the motor. This is how you can identify the stator.

• Open the area where the engine is located.
• Look for a part with several thin sheets of steel.
• The board must adhere tightly to a core, and the core must have a powder coating or plastic shield.
• Once you've found the stator, you need to take a closer look at it.
• A damaged stator is easy to spot.

The stator is damaged if you notice a missing shim, a missing block, burns, case cracks, winding discoloration, worn plates, swollen plates, kinks and cuts.

Overheating is the main cause of this damage. Manufacturers always go to great lengths to protect the stator from extreme heat, but with prolonged use, it sometimes gets damaged despite the protection.

Here is a short video to help you identify and test your stator:

If you find that the stator is defective, replace it immediately. Remember that a good quality stator will cost a little. Although you can buy a cheap stator at the store, it can wear out in a short time, so it's better to buy a quality one.

Clean the stator connector

After replacing the faulty stator, you should also keep the stator connector in good condition. A bad connection can cause the motor to generate excessive heat and thus fry the newly replaced ones.stator.

To keep the spark plug in good condition, remove it and scrape off the rust. You should also apply dielectric grease to the connector contact points.

The purpose of dielectric grease is to prevent further oxidation, which is the main cause of corrosion. Replace the plug when finished cleaning. Start the engine to see if it works well.

Check cylinder and seal for problems.

Look closely at the seals to see if they are damaged. Replace the gasket if you notice any problems with it. The cylinder is a little difficult to examine, but a compression tester can make the job easier.

The cylinder can no longer function properly for various reasons. Some of these reasons are leaky valves, worn piston rings, punctured pistons and a bad crankshaft seal.

Unfortunately, most cylinder problems require you to replace the defective parts. However, you can run a compression test to at least rule out all these issues.

here is onesnowmobile compression test kit(Link to Amazon) You will need to test engine compression. An investment worth around 40 euros.

Here is a video showing a compression test on a 13,000 mile sled. If the engine lacks compression, it will not run.

Other things you should do regularly

You can avoid unnecessary stress by doing the following regularly:

• Use only high quality engine oil.
• If you don't plan on using your snowmobile anytime soon, store it in a dry place and add fuel stabilizer.
• Warm up the snowmobile at least every two weeks.
• Store the battery on a slow charger when not in use.