300/440/550 550 is getting hard to start, what can i do

[Shadow7874]

It runs ok but takes a long time to start firing even though i have a primer installed. Even if i stop it while its running and go to restart it seems to take way longer then it should. Is there anything i can do to help this or should i consider a rebuild? I dont really want to dump any money into a ski i hardly ride but i would like to have it running nicely

 

[Tyler Zane]

is it a piston port or reed motor? just wondering and this will come up when someone has advice for you.

 

[Shadow7874]

To be honest i dont know. Its not a sx so i dont think its a reed motor but i really dont know much about my 550 at all, the only motor ive bothered to educate myself on is the much more fun 701

 

[deftons56]

spark plugs and fuel filter.

 

[Mr Bojangles]

the 550s have always been a bit harder to start. But if the simple things like plugs and fuel filter dont do it, and pumping the primer while trying to get it to start, the crank case seal can be going bad

 

[jeremy chambon]

some times after a few years the diaframse in the carb wear out and u have to crank on it for a while to get gas back in the lines.

 

[Shadow7874]

I wouldnt think the fuel filter would be cause this since i have a primer but if plugs dont help ill look into rebuilding the carb and maybe the crank seals.

Are the cases just bolted together with some yamabond type sealer between them or will i need to order gaskets? if i pull the cases apart. And is it a bad idea to seperate the cases with the cylinders on?

Also as far as the seals go i remember reading something about that for the 550s before and someone said you can upgrade to a better setup but i have no clue as to what they meant. Any more info on that or should i just lok for oem seals and pull it apart and replace them?

Then again, could i just take off the head and seperate the cases leaving everything else together and do a light hone and some new rings and replace the seals and only have to buy a new head gasket??

Im trying to figure out a very cheap way to fix this up as i plan on selling it at some point and looking for a WB1.
I listed it on CL for $1000 right after i repainted it and had a few emails but my fx1s motor seized so i didnt sell it. Now its filthy again...

 

[mcannon111]

plugs are probably fouled, and the fuel filter may have too much water in it. both were said above, but both are simple trouble shooting