(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

O/T- ATV Problem (used on the farm)

J

JBMac

Member
Need some troubleshooting advice on a 400cc Suzuki ATV. Out of the blue, it quit running on me. Will only run while choked and only up to 1/4 throttle then pops and backfires, dies. I"m guessing a fuel problem (not enough, thus why it only runs on choke). This did happen after I had been driving it for about ten minutes with the choke on accidentally. Checked and cleaned the plug. It"s pretty hard to get to the carb on this thing, but if that"s what the consensus says, that"s where I"ll start. Thanks for any input you might have.

John
 
I doubt if it's the problem, but if I was you, I'd put in a new plug and then troubleshoot. Some plugs are gone after they have been fouled.
 
Check fuel flow from tank first.capture it and check for water.Befrore removing airbox to get at the carb drain bowl and replace screw,thats easier.Place spark tester on plug while running to make sure its not ignition.While drain screw is out of bowl turn on petcock momentairily to check flow to carb.If you have to remove carb you can check float needle and seat by blowing [by mouth] into fuel line and turning carb upside down .Should stop your wind into bowl if not seat is allowing fuel to pass when float is up.As stated replace plug first.Half decent compression should blow your finger off plug hole[if you can get at it like that]Good luck.
 
I had a bunch of 'floaters' that came out of 5 gallon hydraulic oil pails that I'd put gas in get into my fuel tank. Just big enough to stop up the fuel line on my Honda.
 
I worked on Polaris four wheeler and yes the carbs are hard to get to. We would just take the carb loose and unbolt the bowl and clean the jets with out pulling the carb out of its nesting place. It's tight but can be done. While you're in there get a new needle and seat to put in it.
 
If it has a rubber sleeve connecting the carb to manifold or head, it may be split. I am finding a lot of those lately. Not sure if it is the fuel, or just age. It will run with full choke, but when you try to turn the choke off, it sputters, has no power, or just plain dies. As others have said, it could also be something in the fuel, and caused a jet to stop up. This can be located by spraying something like WD-40 ( a good use for it), or carb cleaner around the carb area while it is running, and see if it idles up, or smoothes out. If either one, you have an air leak, meaning a lean run, and hence the reason it runs with the choke. Good luck.
 
About an hour ago my wife came in complaining that the JD riding mower kept quitting. I ran it about 10 minutes and it got to where it would only run with the choke on, then quit.

Gas cap vent was plugged. Took the cap off and it ran like a charm. Air hosed out the cap and it's fixed. Tip was the clear plastic fuel filter had no gas in it.

Gene
 
Happened on my ATV also. I found that the carbs are real touchy on these things and never fixed my problems until I bought a new Mikuni carb with a manual choke off ebay. Livin good now and you can't pry me off this thing. In your case, sounds like a real simple solution though. I'd go with a new plug and blow out the carb/check for moisture.

Dave
 
What Paul said is important too. forgot about that .Also there can be a bad oring behind the carb to manifold connection which can be replaced by a homemade paper gasket if you dont feel like going to the dealer.Find air leaks [as Paul said] by spraying manifold with something.
 
I've had the Mikuni carb apart on a Honda a few times in the past because of water. The jets in those things are so tiny that water will plug them. Break it down, clean it out and blow it dry with an air hose. That will probably get it working.
Otherwise... it could be a vacuum leak somewhere between the carb and head, but I rather doubt that if it's set up with the rubber parts and clamps like the Honda was. It's worth a quick check first, but I'd lean towards water/sludge.

Rod
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Ford 3600 gas Governor problem?
Replies
10
Views
253
Mark-Ia
M
M
Serious Carb Flooding Problem
Replies
6
Views
412
Mnethercutt
M
T
8N Surging problem
Replies
8
Views
922
TomInNEOhio
T
J
State of the farm address!! LOL Long!!
Replies
18
Views
3K
chuck from neb
C
O
O/T pics on a trail cam I saw, oops
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
jimg.allentown
J
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top