Just got a new AC 650 last week and love it but seems hard to start the colder it gets. last night was -12 here it did start this morning but it was a tuff one. I have a Kawasaki 97 model pararie 400 that has always been a problem in the cold. Any advice from the masses

 

Not sure if there is a primer lever on the carb of a 650 like the 500 has. Check that out -
And, if you have a idle adjustment like the 500 does - turn that up a couple of turns. As the cat warms up you will likely turn it down. Cats are tight when new - as they get 600+ miles on them they will idle with less resistance, warm or cold.

Post back if you have that priner lever - I know many people miss that in the owners manual and its a GREAT aide in starting cold.

 

Anyone out there have the 35 dollar engine warmer? Worth the effort?

 

Because modern carbs no longer use chokes, they use enrichener circuits, the mixture at cold startup can be too weak to fire. What works for me, when it gets cold, is to hold a mitten or my hand over the intake snorkle. Some can be hard to get at, but most are right there, when the seat comes off. Hold your hand over the opening, and cover it closed, by about 90%. Turn the enrichener on full, and crank. Mine fire right up, when i do this.

 

I have one on my 500. Works really really good. At 25 below zero it will warm the cylinder in lessa than an hour and fire off like a hot summer day.

 

hard to install? where did you get it from?

 

Any ATV dealer should have them. Not hard to install. Cut the right hose (per instructions) and route the power cord and your done. When cutting the hose - keep in mind you have to install clamps to splice the heater in-line. One fellow was trying to hide the heater (not sure why) and he made the cut where it took off-set screwdrivers to tighten the clamps and it was a giant pain.

Mine took about 30 minutes start to finish.

 

one thing i always found out with my snowmobiles at least that if they have to sit outside that if you have a cover to put over them. that makes a very big difference. and if possible when you start spinning it over grab the rewind and pull it, there shouldn't be much compression there for the electric start is also turning it over. this will just turn the motor over faster obviously thus hopefully starting it.

 

Hey weez, I like the idea about pulling the 'manual starter' cord. Never thought of that. But that would be if the engine is turning over sloooowly, right?

 

well i have used that technique if the battery is low as well seems like the electric start takes spark away from the ignition specially when it is cold out therefore not wanting to start but just that sudden extra spinning power is usually enough to fire it up like i have this old 87 suzuki 4x4 and i don't think that thing has ever had a good battery in it so that technique works alot