2011 Outlaw starting issue

[jmk]

I just bought my son a new Outlaw 90. Cold starting is an issue. I have to apply the choke,give it just the right amount of throttle and then stay on the gas for quite a while to get it to idle properly(maybe 5 minutes or so). If I dont it will just stall. At times I have to vary the amount of throttle I'm applying during warmup to keep it running. This happens in a wide range of outside temps,so far from 20s to 60. It's only got about 3 hours on it and only premium gas used. I'm mechanically challenged and wanted some thoughts before I return to the dealer with it. I've read it may be a jetting issue. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Jaberwaki]

Originally Posted by jmk

I just bought my son a new Outlaw 90. Cold starting is an issue. I have to apply the choke,give it just the right amount of throttle and then stay on the gas for quite a while to get it to idle properly(maybe 5 minutes or so). If I dont it will just stall. At times I have to vary the amount of throttle I'm applying during warmup to keep it running. This happens in a wide range of outside temps,so far from 20s to 60. It's only got about 3 hours on it and only premium gas used. I'm mechanically challenged and wanted some thoughts before I return to the dealer with it. I've read it may be a jetting issue. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Does the 90 call for 93 octane?
Unfortunately it is a common error that people think that the higher the octane the better the motor will run.
This is not true.

A motor that is tuned for 87 octane will have less power running on 93. The higher the octane rating the slower burning (less prone to pre-ignition) it is. In high performance machines with higher compression, you are required higher octanes because as compression is higher the greater the chance for pre-ignition (knock or detonation it is also called) Side note higher octane also allows you to advance your timing which can result in more power if you know how to tune your motor and have access to a dynometer to measure your changes.

That being said, there is more energy in 87 octane, in a low compression low performance motor, running higher octane fuel can cause exactly the condition you describe. If the 90 (and I dont know that motor well enough to tell you for sure) is tuned for the cheap stuff, then it is not making enough timing advance and compression to exploit 93 octane. So it will run like poop until the motor is hot enough to heat the fuel prior to spark. (explains why it runs fine after extensive warming)

Check you owners manual. If it calls for 87, then drain your tank, replace with the cheaper stuff and see if the problem goes away. (applying the choke is normal for cold starts)

Hope that helps you and/or someone reading it

[Bruce!]

Welcome to the board!

[jmk]

I'll check the octane rating and let you know , thanks.

[Jaberwaki]

np hope it work out for you

[jmk]

Jaberwaki,

I checked the manual and it only says unleaded gasoline with a minimum pump octane number of 87. I was kinda hoping the premium fuel was the answer which would make things easy. I understand your response about the use of the choke for cold starts. The reason I brought it up was because even with the choke on I still have to play with the throttle to maintain an idle and it has to stay on while I'm throttling the quad for several minutes. I've got three other quads that once started the choke can be turned off seconds after the engine running. Any other ideas?

[Jaberwaki]

When you are using the choke to start, are you pulling it out all the way and it starts, then in about 10-20 seconds it conks out. And if you turn the choke off in that same time it conks out?

If so do this. full choke, 10-20 seconds (till you hear the tell tale sings that it is about to conk out) then move the choke to the 50% position for 30-40 seconds. then see if it will allow you to go 0% choke and stay on.

[jmk]

To start full choke apply a liitle throttle and it starts. After it starts choke still at full while applying throttle to keep it running or it will stall. 45 or so seconds later 50% choke while still applying throttle or it will stall. Keep applying throttle for another 30 seconds with choke off or it will stall. Times are approximates but close. Starting the quad is a real pita to the point where my son can't do it.

[Jaberwaki]

If its still under warranty then it needs to go back to the dealer. It sounds like the idle is set incorrectly and has to be corrected.

[jmk]

Going back Saturday. Only has 3 or so hours on it. Just wanted to get some thoughts on the issue before I got there. Should have never left like this but after prep they brought it out warm and running,no way to tell this was happening. Thanks.