IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: Rippin_Lips7 on Feb 17, 2021, 03:55 PM
-
It was around 0 degrees here last night and after fishing for a few hours my atv would not start. We ended up putting the eskimo shack over the atv with the heater inside and got it started. I am wondering if anyone has run into similar issues and has any recommendations to prevent me from having to do this again.
Specific cold weather battery? New plugs? Engine heater install?
Thanks
-
Best thing I've found is starting it every couple hours and letting it run for 15 min or so.
Not sure of the age of your battery but cold weather is definitely hard on them and will expose a weak one.
-
A new or fully charged battery and synthetic oil.
-
My old battery finally gave up the ghost , new battery sits for days in a non heated shed starts in subzero weather try changing the battery
-
My old battery finally gave up the ghost , new battery sits for days in a non heated shed starts in subzero weather try changing the battery
What battery did you buy? This is a new to me atv and it has the original battery in it. I do have it hooked up to a trickle charge 24/7 when it is home.
-
I think glass mat batteries last longer..
-
Best thing I've found is starting it every couple hours and letting it run for 15 min or so.
Not sure of the age of your battery but cold weather is definitely hard on them and will expose a weak one.
Expose the weak ones? Heck, it'll straight out KILL them.
-
What battery did you buy? This is a new to me atv and it has the original battery in it. I do have it hooked up to a trickle charge 24/7 when it is home.
Walmart ever start mid range price
-
A little heet in the tank don't hurt anything either, gas line can freeze in those conditions too.
-
Some ATV brands (Polaris for one) use crappy starting relays and when it gets too cold, they don't work. I now some people have gone to the effort of changing them out with the ones from snowmobiles just to solve that problem. Couple years back on a weekend trip, all 8 polaris models wouldn't start, took out the relays and brought them into the cottage to warm them, then they start. Next morning same disaster.
-
What make & model ATV is it? My 420 Honda Forman wouldn’t start at zero or below. After plugs, battery & fuel pump it still wouldn’t start when sub zero. Finally I changed the fuel pump relay! Problem solved.
-
Try to use non ethanol fuel
-
Try to use non ethanol fuel
X2
-
It was around 0 degrees here last night and after fishing for a few hours my atv would not start. We ended up putting the eskimo shack over the atv with the heater inside and got it started. I am wondering if anyone has run into similar issues and has any recommendations to prevent me from having to do this again.
Specific cold weather battery? New plugs? Engine heater install?
Thanks
On my Honda foreman 2005...I just manually pump fuel then pull the cord and it starts.That is if it doesn’t start with the electronic start.
-
My 2004 cat TRV has both pull and electric
-
I worked for an outfitter, we have all kinds of vehicles. There were always cans of starting fluid around to solve just this problem. Most of the time if you can get it to fire, it will run, but below zero, any moisture will frost the plug, and you are done.
-
Thanks for all the advice.
Let me try to reply to everyone...
I have a 2015 polaris sportsman 850.
I dont have a pull cord.
I only use non-ethanol but my gas might not be winter blend now that I think about it. Might need to put some heet in there
That relay switch might be a good idea in addition to a better battery.
-
carry one of the small jump start packs. I have a 2017 Polaris and its useless in cold weather That with a new agm battery. I plug mine in when it gets cold. But I may have to look into the relay like the guy says.
-
Get a gel battery off eBay .... Highly recommended by my mechanic who I trust .... Love ThE cold start primer on my.Honda....
-
Replace the fuel pump relay with an AC Delco relay. Did that on my 2018 570. Haven't had any problems. Replace all the relays if you want, but that's the important one.
-
A bit of Isopropyl in the tank when it goes below 0. Seafood on occasion doesn't hurt. ;)
-
I mounted two milk crates on my front rack of my ATV. I carry a small battery jump box in one of them. It’s one thing to not being able to start your ATV at home or on shore...sucks to be stranded out in the middle of a lake. Came in handy more than once..not only for me but for others that have broke down also.
-
Thanks for all the advice.
Let me try to reply to everyone...
I have a 2015 polaris sportsman 850.
I dont have a pull cord.
I only use non-ethanol but my gas might not be winter blend now that I think about it. Might need to put some heet in there
That relay switch might be a good idea in addition to a better battery.
All good that you already use Non E gas. Adding Heet or other alcohol based additives is basically just adding Ethanol to your Non E fuel. We use nothing but Sea Foam additive in our machines for winter duty. I suspect your battery is on it's last legs and you have received the best advice already. Full synthetic oil which a Polaris should already have and a new AGM battery (Absorbed Glass Mat)
Make sure all the connections are clean and making good contact. I do keep a spray can of Either starting fluid handy for this exact reason but have never had to use it as long as all the other things are up to date. If the machine has a fuel filter this is the first thing I would check and replace. If the fuel in the tank is old or even partially old I would drain the tank and lines completely and start with fresh Non E fuel. Check the fuel petcock as they have fine mesh screens that will get clogged if old gas was in the tank. Moisture in the tank falls to the lowest point which is usually at the petcock.
-
Could be the battery. Heat is what makes a battery go bad. Takes all the cold cranking amps right out of it. Cold weather exposes a bad battery. Not enough cca to turn over stiff engine. For those of us old enough: remember the die-hard battery commercials? Car sat out on a frozen lake. Snowy, windy, sub-zero temps. Car started slick as a whistle. Great marketing! Could be the battery.
-
What battery did you buy? This is a new to me atv and it has the original battery in it. I do have it hooked up to a trickle charge 24/7 when it is home.
Invest in a battery charger that's a maintainer, like a Battery Tender or something similar, and not an actual 'trickle charger'.
-
Lots of advice here. Some could have come from me, some I'd say is not it. Could you be more specific on what you meant when you say "it wouldn't start"? Did it turn over and not catch (one issue)? Or did it maybe turn over a couple times very slowly (or maybe not at all) and just not any more?
Not turning points to a battery issue and spinning without firing points to fuel/air/spark.
-
All good that you already use Non E gas. Adding Heet or other alcohol based additives is basically just adding Ethanol to your Non E fuel. We use nothing but Sea Foam additive in our machines for winter duty. I suspect your battery is on it's last legs and you have received the best advice already. Full synthetic oil which a Polaris should already have and a new AGM battery (Absorbed Glass Mat)
Make sure all the connections are clean and making good contact. I do keep a spray can of Either starting fluid handy for this exact reason but have never had to use it as long as all the other things are up to date. If the machine has a fuel filter this is the first thing I would check and replace. If the fuel in the tank is old or even partially old I would drain the tank and lines completely and start with fresh Non E fuel. Check the fuel petcock as they have fine mesh screens that will get clogged if old gas was in the tank. Moisture in the tank falls to the lowest point which is usually at the petcock.
Exactly....Gamalot nailed it. DON'T be dumping HEET in there! Yer trying to keep alcohol OUT of yer system, that's why ya buy the non-oxy! I'd also stay away from the Wally world Neverstart batts; ask any boat or mechanic about those. And ya, I went thru 3 in my boat in 2 years...junk. I won't post on anything I haven't used or done, either. Get a good AGM one like an Interstate or Yuasa (which are rated #1 for ATV's) Plus, a glass mat batt is better with all the bouncin' and jouncin' around. A gel too, but they get pretty pricey. BUT, ya really get what ya pay for in a battery. Even though Johnson Controls makes 2/3 of the batts out there, including the Neverstarts, they make them to the suppliers specs. (ie cheaper) Top brands are made better in batts, simple fact. I've seen a lot of batt issues in my years working on engines/cars. My brand-new F-150 had two clunkers right in a row...their best big Motorcraft big ones. It happens. Get one with the most Ah, followed by the highest CCA, and you should be good to go. I'd suggest a battery tender too, to keep it healthy.
-
Exactly....Gamalot nailed it. DON'T be dumping HEET in there! Yer trying to keep alcohol OUT of yer system, that's why ya buy the non-oxy! I'd also stay away from the Wally world Neverstart batts; ask any boat or mechanic about those. And ya, I went thru 3 in my boat in 2 years...junk. I won't post on anything I haven't used or done, either. Get a good AGM one like an Interstate or Yuasa (which are rated #1 for ATV's) Plus, a glass mat batt is better with all the bouncin' and jouncin' around. A gel too, but they get pretty pricey. BUT, ya really get what ya pay for in a battery. Even though Johnson Controls makes 2/3 of the batts out there, including the Neverstarts, they make them to the suppliers specs. (ie cheaper) Top brands are made better in batts, simple fact. I've seen a lot of batt issues in my years working on engines/cars. My brand-new F-150 had two clunkers right in a row...their best big Motorcraft big ones. It happens. Get one with the most Ah, followed by the highest CCA, and you should be good to go. I'd suggest a battery tender too, to keep it healthy.
Thanks Rebelss, for batteries I have been buying the Vmax Tank AGM batteries for quite a few years now and swear by them. They sell a great little charger to go with them that is also a maintainer and in 10 years I have never had a battery go bad yet. I was lucky to get 3 years with a Walmart deep cycle for my trolling motor but the Vmax tank is still going strong after 8 full seasons. Buddies have tried the Gel ones, Yellow top or blue top versions with good results also. I am not sure if any of the Lithium Ion makers are tooled up for ATV and other ORVs yet but those would also be a consideration. Lead/Acid batteries are old school these days IMO.
-
The AGM batteries are great. The biggest problem with them is recharging them. The battery should be charged at a rate of .75 to 2 amps on an auto shut off battery charger. If you charge them with higher amps too fast it will ruin the battery.
-
Thanks Rebelss, for batteries I have been buying the Vmax Tank AGM batteries for quite a few years now and swear by them. They sell a great little charger to go with them that is also a maintainer and in 10 years I have never had a battery go bad yet. I was lucky to get 3 years with a Walmart deep cycle for my trolling motor but the Vmax tank is still going strong after 8 full seasons. Buddies have tried the Gel ones, Yellow top or blue top versions with good results also. I am not sure if any of the Lithium Ion makers are tooled up for ATV and other ORVs yet but those would also be a consideration. Lead/Acid batteries are old school these days IMO.
I'm surprised Interstates aren't ranked high for ATV's...the Yuasa's and ThrottleX (which I have no experience with)and Chrome brand are consistently rated the top three. I've seen a whale of a lot of batteries when I was wrenching at the Ford dealership, and sold a lot, and I don't see how ya could go wrong with an Interstate. If I haven't been there and done it I don't offer an opinion. But, maybe I'states ATV's aren't as good as their others...that I don't know. Look close at the warranty/pro-rated replacement on a batt, too. That's makes a big diff.
-
2015? clean your slow circuits on the carb.
Remove the bowl and see if any sediment is in the bottom?
If so, pull the slow jets and clean em out.
Most of the time an engine won't start when it's cold because the fuel won't vaporize. Too much fuel per air with no vapor.
Also check spark quality? Is the spark weak?
No mice in air filter?
Once it starts when it's cold outside do you have to leave the choke on? Leaving the choke on means the slow circuits are clogged.
-
I will add that atvs from factory are tuned on the lean side so if it gets really cold the engine will be leaned out even more.basically starving for fuel in really cold temps.a tweak on the fuel screw for more fuel may work,i had a honda 200s that would start first pull all year until winter or i heated up the engine with a heater.i ended up jetting it with bigger jets to run in winter.i also had a minibike that i converted into a ice racer that had to be jetted for winter.idk just a suggestion.my little suzuki lt125 quad is a winter runner it has a choke and a primer.the primer is great for winter starts.
-
All great advice except the 2015 Polaris Sportsman 850 is fuel injected so you will have a very difficult time locating a carb!
-
All great advice except the 2015 Polaris Sportsman 850 is fuel injected so you will have a very difficult time locating a carb!
Is that kinda like the VW bug radiator? :roflmao:
-
All great advice except the 2015 Polaris Sportsman 850 is fuel injected so you will have a very difficult time locating a carb!
HAHAHA yeah....i was letting that slide. Just so people know, I do not have a choke either.
I am going to purchase a Yausa battery and I mistakenly typed trickle charger when I do own a battery tender (i own 2 actually).
I am also debating on purchasing a power pack to jump it if I need to. My only worry is the power pack could loose energy from it being out in the cold as well. Thinking about buying a small enough one to put underneath my Elite Ti Fish Finder (where the 2 utility boxes are), that way it's in the shack with me and it's with me when I am charging the fish finder.
-
And for more of a backstory of Tuesday night....
At first, I could not get the engine to even try to turn over.
After a few tries, I started having that try and I could see on my display that I had low voltage on my battery.
After putting it under the shack, I could tell that my battery had more juice, and then it started.
I figured it was just a bad battery and I need to purchase a better one. I did learn that a cold relay could cause the same problem so thank you for that.
-
All great advice except the 2015 Polaris Sportsman 850 is fuel injected so you will have a very difficult time locating a carb!
oops didnt read that part.lol all my crap is old.
-
Is that kinda like the VW bug radiator? :roflmao:
hey chong had one on his vw in the movie up in smoke.that wasnt factoree?
-
HAHAHA yeah....i was letting that slide. Just so people know, I do not have a choke either.
I am going to purchase a Yausa battery and I mistakenly typed trickle charger when I do own a battery tender (i own 2 actually).
I am also debating on purchasing a power pack to jump it if I need to. My only worry is the power pack could loose energy from it being out in the cold as well. Thinking about buying a small enough one to put underneath my Elite Ti Fish Finder (where the 2 utility boxes are), that way it's in the shack with me and it's with me when I am charging the fish finder.
If you buy an AGM battery just make sure your battery tender chargers are rated for AGM service or get one that is recommended by the battery manufacturer. If Polaris makes a snowmobile with an 850 motor I would bet it is the same or very close motor to yours. Find the part numbers for your starter relay and see if the snowmobile one is at all different, like designed for extreme cold weather.
I had a Polaris 800 RZR and it never had these issues but when it did become hard starting in the cold I traced the issue to faulty connectors that had some corrosion inside the plastic and unsealed plugs. Just a quick cleaning with contact spray cleaner and a toothbrush did the trick and I slathered them with electrical connector grease.
-
Ok heck you need a good fully charged battery for the electronic fuel injection to even work properly.
-
HAHAHA yeah....i was letting that slide. Just so people know, I do not have a choke either.
I am going to purchase a Yausa battery and I mistakenly typed trickle charger when I do own a battery tender (i own 2 actually).
I am also debating on purchasing a power pack to jump it if I need to. My only worry is the power pack could loose energy from it being out in the cold as well. Thinking about buying a small enough one to put underneath my Elite Ti Fish Finder (where the 2 utility boxes are), that way it's in the shack with me and it's with me when I am charging the fish finder.
My jump pac is about the size of a smart phone and will fit in an inside pocket of my coat.
-
Ok heck you need a good fully charged battery for the electronic fuel injection to even work properly.
Quite right Doc! When the key is turned to start the first place the battery juice goes to is the EFI pump and then to the actual starter motor. If the pump is not flowing hard enough to atomize the fuel then good luck getting it fired up. I do believe the dealer has the ECU plug in tester that would easily tell the EFI is not getting full or enough juice which would tell the mechanic to check the connections like I just did. Think about this. We have the technology to send manned flights to the moon and further but when you attach your trailer to your truck we have a stupid little Flat 4 wire plug connector that is almost always faulty or filled with dirt, bugs or has some other corrosion and your trailer lights or blinkers won't work. I know for sure that Polaris and probably most other makers use the cheapest garbage plug connectors they can find. The plug connectors on my Kubota tractor are worlds apart and have rubber waterproof seals like our ATVs and snowmobiles should have
-
I went out fishing on Super Bowl Sunday with my 2018 Kodiak 700 (fuel injected), I go to the lake access at 10AM, it was -10F (after a 45 drive trailering it behind the truck. It started without issue, although maybe cranked a bit slow. by the time I got unloaded and loaded up my fishing gear and got to my spot, it has been running for a good 30min. I fished for 2hrs, started the machine and it cranked a bit slow again but did fire up, let it run for about 10min. Fished for another 2.5hrs and went to start packing up and the machine would crank over but noticeably slower and wouldnt fire and every so often while trying to start it, I think the relay was having an issue, it would make almost a buzzing noise. The temp never got above 0 and there was a breezy that the machine was sitting in while out on the ice.
Luckliy for me, someone was within a 1/4mile with jumper cables with his ATV. as soon as he connected them to my machine, fired right up
the following day, I ordered 1 of the small mini jump packs (size a cell phone) that is able to give a boost. I went out this past weekend and temps were very similar, never had an issue starting this time, although I did make it a point to start it every 90 minutes and let if run 10minutes while I was out and also parked it behind the flipover shack to block the wind
-
In at owners manual it says to run non-ethanol gas as it gums everything up, it's been cold 0-15 degrees in Perry and my Yamaha Grizzly starts every time and it's a 11 years old .
-
In at owners manual it says to run non-ethanol gas as it gums everything up, it's been cold 0-15 degrees in Perry and my Yamaha Grizzly starts every time and it's a 11 years old .
I only run non-ethanol in my toys.
-
In at owners manual it says to run non-ethanol gas as it gums everything up, it's been cold 0-15 degrees in Perry and my Yamaha Grizzly starts every time and it's a 11 years old .
You must have a different manual...
Actual quote from 2015 Polaris 850 Sportsman owners manual:
"Do not use fuel with ethanol content greater than 10%, such as E-85 fuel."
Says the same thing in my 2016 (135 E-Tec HO) Evinrude manual. Also specifies 87 octane, not premium, for that motor.
-
Those machines dont like certain weather conditions, the Polaris forums are full of stories just like this...
No one that I have seen has mentioned( that I saw, if they did I apologize) engine oil.. 0-W40 synthetic goes a long way towards making those things crank over in sub zero weather..
why Polaris put the battery down in the snow and ice ( or mud and water) low on the frame is a mystery, that alone contributes to many battery related issues... Yuasa is a motorcycle standard battery... Nothing wrong with interstates.. an onboard battery maintainer is a very useful tool. just plug in your machine at the end of the day..
one of the most common problem with those Polaris ATV's is the fuel pump and main power relays dont like cold weather, windy conditions and single numbers seem to be it's nemesis,carry a spare, they are a pain to get at, but even if you remove the relay, put it ion your pocket to warm it up and then plug it in, the machine will usually fire right up.
-
You must have a different manual...
Actual quote from 2015 Polaris 850 Sportsman owners manual:
"Do not use fuel with ethanol content greater than 10%, such as E-85 fuel."
Says the same thing in my 2016 (135 E-Tec HO) Evinrude manual. Also specifies 87 octane, not premium for that motor.
All of the more recent manuals say what yours says. With Non E fuel being rather scarce in most places it makes sense. Truth be known though, most engine manufacturers would be happy to say stay as far away from ethanol fuels as you can. All of the 2 cycle small engine MFrs sell their own brand of pre mixed Non E and highly recommend you only use their fuel in Stihl and Husky saws and other lawn equipment. My 11,000 KWH home generator had a starting problem while under warranty. The shop repaired it by cleaning the crap out of the carb that was left by the garbage fuel and told me to run only Non E in it if I want it to be ready when needed. 6 years now with only Non E fuel and fires right up even after sitting for 6 months untouched.
-
All of the more recent manuals say what yours says. With Non E fuel being rather scarce in most places it makes sense. Truth be known though, most engine manufacturers would be happy to say stay as far away from ethanol fuels as you can. All of the 2 cycle small engine MFrs sell their own brand of pre mixed Non E and highly recommend you only use their fuel in Stihl and Husky saws and other lawn equipment. My 11,000 KWH home generator had a starting problem while under warranty. The shop repaired it by cleaning the crap out of the carb that was left by the garbage fuel and told me to run only Non E in it if I want it to be ready when needed. 6 years now with only Non E fuel and fires right up even after sitting for 6 months untouched.
Just like stuff did in the "old days" before bunny pi$$ gas. ::)
-
I did learn that a cold relay could cause the same problem so thank you for that.
I think the efi models start in a rich mode that doesn't shut off till engine warms up and computer shuts it off. When you start it cold, let it run for a minute or two and then give it a little more throttle or ride it until it warms up then let it sit. Don't let it sit and idle long or idle a little then shut it off.
Also EFI machines don't like ANY throttle prior to starting. You can also foul a plug if they get too much gas. I know its common nature to give it a little gas to get it to start but you can't do that with EFI machines as they will flood super easy. They take a little bit longer to fire/start compared to a carb, but the EFI machines should always start.
-
My mistake I ment non-ethanol gas , sorry my wording was wrong I guess that's why you preview. Sorry again :%$#!:
-
Here are some tricks that have helped me in the cold:
1) AGM or lithium battery
2) Fresh non-corn/eth premium fuel that has been treated with Sea Form or some other "drying" agent
3) Battery maintained with a trickle charger when the machine is not in use
4) Periodic start and run of the machine in really cold weather
5) Not parking into the wind on cold windy days
Hope this helps.