I have a 04 Sportsman 400 and over the last year it has developped a bad condition. If it sits at all it won't start with the starter. If it is warm outside I can pull start it but if it cold at all it just won't start. Once you do get it started, it won't idle at all till it is completly hot, even with the idle turned up to about 1200 RPM's. I am pretty sure it is in the carb, but I am hoping that I can get info here before I rip into it and just start replacing parts.


Thanks
Chris

 

first question i would ask is your choke working. if it idles fine after it warms up then its not in the idle circuit i bleave. all vacume lines hooked up and theres no air leaks anywhere?

 

I am pretty sure the choke is OK because it will bog and die if you choke it after it will idle. I will check for hoses and air leaks. Maybe spray choke cleaner around the carb boot and area

Chris

 

i have an 04 400 and i dont even have to use the choke when its cold out.

 

I had the very same problem with my wifes 500ho,I thought it was choke / carb problems . It ended up being a valve adjustment problem(too tight). set the valves.