Is it bad to run a EFI out of gas?

[Kokaneebeer]

Just got a 2003 arctic cat Firecat F7 Snowpro. Man did that thing run good for the first tank of gas. I ran it out of gas, got some more and drove it home that night and it ran fine. Next day started it to let it warm up and drove it for 5 min and I think It ran lean in one cyclinder and burned a hole in the pisten. (no compression 1 side)
Could running it out of gas be the cause and some dirt got in the carb and leaned it out or did I buy a piece of junk? Sled has 3500 miles with 219 hrs.

I am going to try and fine a manual and install a new piston and a set of rings.

[butcher_boy]

It might be possible. When you run out or really low on gas, the pump sucks up all the crap at the bottom of the tank. It's possible some crud got past the filters and plugged up a injector.

[Kokaneebeer]

Thanks for the reply, I guess since it's efi no carbs. Are the injecters very hard to take apart and clean? I only know carbs. Is there a electric fuel pump on this sled? Looks like there is one in the Tank.

[MX86]

not to terribly difficult.

[sandman643cc]

i have heard of the fuel pump cavitating after sucking a little air when the fuel gets low. at least on my mechanical fi it has happened,

[mgty3whlr]

kinda a far fetchd idea but i'd recommend replacing the crank seals when you have it apart. It's kinda hard to check it with a bad piston, but while you are rebuilding it, I'd definitely replace both crank seal so you can rule that out imediately.

[FPMXer]

Most vehicles that run EFI will run like crap when you run it out of gas. The fuel pump will go south as the fuel is what keeps it from burning up. If you run your vehicle out of gas or near the fumes state the pump will eventually burn up and stop working. It sounds like you burnt the pump and after it stopped working the sled ran out of fuel on the one cylinder and the other side still had some to run on and with no lube it's too hot and burnt the hole. Don't know much about the sleds as it's too warm here in So-Cal but it's what makes sense as all EFI's need an electric fuel pump either in the tank or in the fuel line somewhere near the tank. After checking the engine and replacing parts I would also replace or check to make sure fuel pump is not burnt up.

[tecateboy]

i have heard that some of the earlier efi firecats had problems with their efi systems, im not sure if this would be your problem but it could be something to check into.

[Kokaneebeer]

Well I Finally got it apart.
I cold siezed the side I didn't have any compression.
Guess I never warmed it up enough.

Now I'm looking for a Jug or 2. The other one don't look to bad but I might as well replace both while I am at it along with new piston kits.

Learned the hard way.