97 doo formula with the 500 liquiud

saber1

saber1

Active member
i just pu one up for my son has around 4500 miles on it how reliable are theses motors any issues
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
For some reason the 500 lagged behind the 600 can't remember if there was a good reason or doo needed to use up parts before cutting over to 500 rave. The 583 & 670 were best in class back then really strong engines but don't remember much about 500 but cat zr 500 hit the market about then & left all other oems scrambling & the weight wars began.lol Issues in the market at that time were ski lift, long suspension & weight. Remember the ski lift issue?.... YIKES.... we have come a long way from taking corners on 1 ski with the other 10" off the ground.LOL :D
 
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russholio

Well-known member
You're probably right.....that was when I first started riding so I don't know too much about other sleds or engines from the era....I do know that Formula STX with the 583 was a tank but that rotary engine was strong. Made a really distinct sound, too.
 
saber1

saber1

Active member
yea this one doesnt have the rave as long as it holds up for another 2000 miles i will be happy thanks for the input this thing also has that plunger instead of a real choke takes a little getting used it also has to really warm up before it runs good but hey its a 17 year old sled.
 
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russholio

Well-known member
saber1 said:
yea this one doesnt have the rave as long as it holds up for another 2000 miles i will be happy thanks for the input this thing also has that plunger instead of a real choke takes a little getting used it also has to really warm up before it runs good but hey its a 17 year old sled.
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Ah yes, that lovely primer.....I never was so happy as I was when my next sled had a choke! :)
 
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wirev

New member
Had one with a primer and absolutely hated it. Never could figure out many time to push it. Always guessed and hoped it would start. [At least that is how I remember it]
 
goofy600

goofy600

Well-known member
Prime 3 times cold no need to prime warm half way warm/ cold start with 1 pump and go from there. And be ready to prime it after it first starts to keep it running, the good old days. But should be a good engine should run another 17 years.
 
saber1

saber1

Active member
thanks for the info was wondering how many times to prime myself when warm it starts on first pull without prime so 3 when cold ok good
 
saber1

saber1

Active member
one more question this thing has the Powder skis on it what is a good ski for mostly trail riding do they make a oem trail ski for these
 
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misty_pines

misty_pines

Member
goofy600 said:
Prime 3 times cold no need to prime warm half way warm/ cold start with 1 pump and go from there. And be ready to prime it after it first starts to keep it running, the good old days. But should be a good engine should run another 17 years.
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This is right on. I had three of these Doo sleds with rotary valve engines with a primer over the years. The hardest time to start these rotary valve Doo engines with the primer is when the engine is lukewarm like after sitting for 30 mins to an hour. When lukewarm, I always tried to start it and if it wouldn't give it one prime, then pull it, if no start, prime it a second time. Sometimes I held the throttle part way also. If you prime it too much and flood it, hold the throttle wide open and pull until it starts. The best thing about the primer is you can get it started real easily when cold. You prime it until you feel pressure and hear the gas going through the line. The only time I liked the primer better than a choke is when the engine is cold and/or hasn't been run in awhile. Those rotary valve engines last a long time. You should have good luck with it.
 
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