I was riding on a very muddy track yesterday and my LTZ-400 was running strong and then it would just die. I could eventually get it started and it would run strong again for a short period then die again. Does this sound like dirt got into the carb jet? Is this something an amateur mechanic can take apart and check?

 

Do you have enough gas? I would prob tell you to first check the airfilter making sure that it is clean and isn't wet because if it was wet that is what I think it is but I will put other stuff that it could be just incase. But if it happens that this isn't the problem then it would sound like the carb there are a few things you can do. I would start off by checking the diapragm for any small tears or rips and if that does look fine then check this. Take some carb cleaner and take the jets out of the carb and spray some carb cleaner into them cleaning any dirt inside them. If that seems fien then try checking the float on the carb and adjust that, check the petcock for any clogging in the fuel line, and last check the spark plugs. Here is a site that will show you the carb. If you have any more ? pm me or something good luck.
Brett

http://216.37.204.203/Suzuki_OEM/SuzukiATV.asp

 

Could be a zillion things; but the VERY first thing I would check is the carb fuel vent line. Sounds like a venting issue to me.

 

Thanks for the replies and tips. I have got as far as removing the gas tank and petcock. That looks good. The air filter is dry and clean. I will inspect the jets tomorrow.

 

The airfilter may have been wet at the time and restricting airflow so before you go taking the carb apart try starting it back up.

 

I did try starting it plenty of times later on that day and the following day. There also wasn't signs that water had been in there.

 

My old honda 90 fourwheeler did the excact same thing. I took it to my local honda dealer and they couldn't fix it the 3 times we took it there. Then i figured out that there might be dirt in it and so we took the carb apart and there was tons of dirt in it. Now it runs fine once we got it all out.

 

It did end up being dirt in the carbs for me too. I found all kinds of dirt in the float bowl. I sprayed out the jets with canned air and replaced. It started right up.