I finally finished my sled and got it out of the garage to start it up late this afternoon. I pulled and pulled at least 50 times and not even a sign of it wanting to start. I pulled the plugs, they are used but in good condition and were dry as a bone. Next checked for spark and found it has spark. I pulled it over a few times with the plugs out in hope of drawing some fuel into the carbs. I installed the plugs and on the first pull it fired. I pulled another 10 times and nothing. Pulled the plugs and they were soaked so I dried them off (I don't have an extra set). I pulled the recoil to evacuate the cylinders of fuel, installed the plugs and on the first pull it fired and ran on what sounded like one cylinder. I feathered the throttle and it sounded like it cleared out but would not build RPM's........ It just bogged and finally stalled. Pulled the plugs and they were soaked. I went through the "pull the plugs, dry them off, and reinstall" like 5 more times and the engine would not even act like it wanted to start. The plugs were soaked each of the times I pulled them. Finally, I gave up for the night as it was too dark to mess around with it and I want to get new plugs tomorrow morning.

Does anyone have any idea why it would dump fuel into the cylinders like that? Is there a drain in the crankcase, its an '01 440? Will new plugs maybe solve this problem? Thanks for any input guys..... I'm a little bummed and am not thinking straight right now.

SK.

wow bummer dude.
that could be any number of things. possibly stuck needle ans seat, gummed up choke thats staying choked even when in the off position, or it could be nothing more than fouled plugs.
id start with plugs and then go to carb tear down and clean/inspect.

Mr ProX lists the top 3 issues it could be.

I would try a new set of plugs. And try to start it with the Fuel valve off.

Gummed up choke plungers are a common problem in a sled of that age but it should run for longer than a few seconds even if the choke plungers were full on.

You caould very easily have a sticking needle on the Float Bowl. If you can get it to start and run with the fuel valve off, turn the valve on after about 10 seconds of running and see if the motor dies. If it does you may have found your issue.

Good Luck

Thanks Jason and Tom for your replies to my call for help. I'll tell ya'll, what a difference a day makes! Here's the update to yesterdays challenges..........

I started the day by purchasing some new plugs, BPR9ES's. I tried to get the Champion's but my local auto parts store didn't have them in stock, go figure.......... After installing the plugs, on the first pull the engine fired but on subsequent pulls........ nothing. After going through the pull plugs, dry, reinstall deal I decided to pull the carbs to disassemble and inspect. I had cleaned them before the initial install last week and upon today's inspection everything was in good, clean, working order. So..... I reinstalled them and had the same results as before. This time around I noticed on the MAG side plug there was a white film around the base of it right below the threads. Also, the crown of the piston was soaked with what looked like coolant mixed with fuel. Suddenly I had an "AAA-HA" moment! I pulled the head and checked the o-rings. After a little cleaning and light lubing with VES Gold I reinstalled the o-rings and head. On the first pull the engine fired up like it's supposed to, albeit the idle was too high, but it was ALIVE! I spent the rest of the afternoon adjusting the air screws, idle and doing some baseline safe EGT readings then I finally let er' rip!. It runs like a scalded cat! Well....... to me it does, and thats all that matters. I'm totally stoked that it runs so well right out of the box. HCS has been an invaluable source for information for me and I'd like to say thanks to everyone for their help with this project! I'll post up some pics tomorrow. See ya'!

SK.

Glad to hear you got it running! These things can be frustrating, espeacially after you put alot of work into it. Jesse.

Great News S/K

Glad we could help but it sounds like you figured it out on your own. We didn't do much but cheer you on.

Have fun with it.