My Arctic Cat has about 1200 miles on it. On my last ride, it started running rough, like it had gotten some bad gas or possibly the timing jumped. It ran crappy for only a few minutes and then came out of it. I rode it for another hour and a half, and then it started doing it again and has not yet come out of it. I tried draining the fuel and putting fresh super with some dry gas, but it hasn't seemed to help. I have also put new spark plugs and cleaned the air filter and it still hasn't come out of it. It seems to be running very lean and hot. It seems to have a bad skip and is backfiring out of the exhaust and the intake. If anyone has any ideas, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

i had a similar problem. Check the rubber boots that connect to the bottom of the carbs. Mine came loose, and it ran like crap. I had to loosen the clamps, then get them seated good again, which was a pain, but it fixed it. Runs great now!

 

Easy stuff first, air filter, plugs - stuck choke cable?

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: KenPatrick

My Arctic Cat has about 1200 miles on it. On my last ride, it started running rough, like it had gotten some bad gas or possibly the timing jumped. It ran crappy for only a few minutes and then came out of it. I rode it for another hour and a half, and then it started doing it again and has not yet come out of it. I tried draining the fuel and putting fresh super with some dry gas, but it hasn't seemed to help. I have also put new spark plugs and cleaned the air filter and it still hasn't come out of it. It seems to be running very lean and hot. It seems to have a bad skip and is backfiring out of the exhaust and the intake. If anyone has any ideas, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</end quote></div>

One common cause for backfire is moisture - since you put dry gas in then that doesn't seem to be the problem.

What comes to mind is some dirt in the carb (jetting) - this would cause it to also run lean.

Have you had your valves adjusted? Maybe one is out of specifications.

Could also be a loose ground wire, or a weak or dying battery. Could be a voltage regulator (sparkplug not getting enough voltage), stator or magneto, could also be malfunctioning.

I would start with checking for loose wires, battery condition and go from there. First thing is make sure the carb is clean.

 

I have a 2004 650 with 106 hrs on it and having a similar problem. Has been acting like starving for fuel coming off a hard run. After a fuel minutes, it will clean up and run great. Today it started falling off all of a sudden like it was running out of fuel. It will start and idle good but at about half throttle it just stops. Top speed is about 22 mph down hill. Try to pull a grade it and really lays down. Just put new plugs in yesterday... Still starts and idles fine. Will even start easily with the pull rope but no power.... Could it be the CDI?

Thanks

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: movinmyers

I have a with 106 hrs on it and having a similar problem. Has been acting like starving for fuel coming off a hard run. After a fuel minutes, it will clean up and run great. Today it started falling off all of a sudden like it was running out of fuel. It will start and idle good but at about half throttle it just stops. Top speed is about 22 mph down hill. Try to pull a grade it and really lays down. Just put new plugs in yesterday... Still starts and idles fine. Will even start easily with the pull rope but no power.... Could it be the CDI?



Thanks</end quote></div>

How old is the battery - these things only last 2 or 3 years.

When it starts to die did you try applying some choke. If it picks up then you have a lean condition. If it stops dead then you have a rich condition.

You could have a clogged or partially obstructed vent on your gas tank - kink or partly plugged.

 

Thanks..
I think it is original but still turns it over fine.
I did apply choke and it pick up some but still not go all the way. I will check the vent lines and thanks again.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: movinmyers

Thanks..

I think it is original but still turns it over fine.

I did apply choke and it pick up some but still not go all the way. I will check the vent lines and thanks again.</end quote></div>

Because the battery turns the engine over and starts the motor doesn't mean that it is 100% good. Remember, ATV's run off magnetos. They rely on the battery heavily. Under 2000 rpm your magneto is not charging the battery. To save a lot of frustration maybe you can borrow a friends battery and just see.

 

Because of the nature of ATV's I charge my battery on a charger quite often. Maybe every couple weeks. Especially after a long ride and if I used the lights much. This is why I ran some wire from my battery to the front fender and have some terminals with wing nuts there. I pull into the garage, hook the charger and that's it... The next day the battery is fully charged.
Don't rely on your magneto to maintain your battery - chances are that it won't.