My son has a 2001 trail boss that hadn't been ridden for awhile, my nephew borrowed it and I'm sure he rode it hard, a week later he said the oil smelled like gas, he said he changed the oil 3 times and still the same.. I'm not sure if he was shutting the fuel off while he wasn't riding.. I got the 4 wheeler back and my son has been riding it as it runs fine.. Today I drained the oil, it seems to be thinner and does have a gas smell, so I tried to burn it but it wouldn't burn.. Any answers?

 

they may be giving it a lot of throttle when cranking and if it dosen't crank real quick that will dump fuel in the crank case.

 

NOT SHUTTING OFF THE FUEL SHOULDNT HURT ANYTHING. wHAT BOSS SAID SEEMS ABOUT RIGHT BUT USED OIL DOES KIND OF HAVE A SMELL TO IT.

 

most likely the needle valve in the carb is leaking. those engines shake so much it hammers out the seat and is comon for the needle valve to leak, this allows fuel to run into the cylender when the engine is not running. If it is small enough amounts it will leak past the rings into the crank case. It is was a real bad leak it would flood the cylender and not start, or possibly hydo lock. The needle vale can be pressure tested and replaced to repair by any small engine shop that does carb work

 

turn off the gas when it is not being run.

 

Karen,

The oil will always smell like gas in any motor once used. Turning off the valve should not make any difference. I am a mechanic and I smell it all day long.

 

if the needle is not holding the carb will overflow the bowl which will in turn run into the engine if the bike is parked right. you ALWAYS turn off the fuel valve on a engine where the gas is gravity fed into the carb. if for nothing else safety.. i always have and always will. i know carbs have overflow tubes but what if your carb overflows in the garage filling the whole garage with gas vapors just waiting for a ignition source?

 

the best way to tell if your getting gas of any amount in the oil is to check the oil level. it will be above where it should be if its that thin. if you also have to much it cyclinder wash affect meaning you loose compression. most likey its the float needle and seat is not closing. a peice of dirt maybe in the seat.

 

I agree with MisterTinker, turn the gas off when not in use, Ive fixed several worn out needle and seats,because crank case fills up with gas while parked with gas on.

 

The oil was thinner than it should be but also it seemed to be real dark for having just been changed. Like I said it had not been ridden for several months and I'm sure my nephew rode it HARD the week he had it, but it could have been that way for awhile. I'm a single mom and don't know much about those kind of things but I'm trying to learn... So Thanks to you all, you've been very helpful...