I just purchasd a used 2002 Suzuki LT-A50 for my kids. I cannot get the thing started. The quad has been sitting for a few months but started right up when I was looking to purchase it.

I have drained the old gas out and put new gas in. Even drained the gas from the carb. I have put a new spark plug in and I have cleaned the air filter out.

I checked the ignition system. I get a spark at the plug anyway. The engine stop switch is in the "RUN" position. The ignition swith is in the "ON" position

I am not sure what else to check. I am not sure what the clear hose at the top of the carb goes to...if anything.

Now when I drained the old gas out....with the gas valve in the "PRI" position the gas flows out freely. When in the "On" position it stops flowing. Now I am guessing because it requires a vacuum for it to flow, when the engine is on? or is this my problem?

 

You can use the PRIME setting to get it started if the quad has not been run in a while. Fuel won't freely flow when in the ON position unless the motor is running. Are you sure the tether cord is plugged in near the grab bar?

 

Yes...I checked the tether at the grab bar. Maybe I should check the wires to the tether.

 

Ok. If it's getting a spark, air and fuel it should start. So, you said it's getting spark and you cleaned the air filter. You drained the fuel and the carb, but did you remove the carb and tear it apart? It's a very simple carb and easy to take apart and put back together. Stale/old gas may have gelled up and could be clogging the main jet, the pilot jet, the "piggy back" pilot jet or all three.

 

I have checked the spark and the tether system and it all seems to be working properly.

Ive never taken apart a carb before but it doesn't look too difficult to remove. Thanks for the advice. I will do this and let you know how it goes.

 

OK...what does fuel in the air filter mean? I just took off the air filter cap and the air filter was soaked with fuel.

 

Ok..I have the carb apart. That was pretty easy but I am not sure how to check if the jets are clogged. Do I pull them out and clean them? do I just blow them out with a compressor? Sorry if these are dumb questions but I have never taken apart a carb before.

The only questionable thing that I see with the carb apart is that the throttle piece that goes up and down doesnt look straight.

 

The carb slide won't look straight went it's not inside the carb because of the spring attached to it. When you go to place the slide back down into the carb, there's a large groove on one side that needs to be lined up (look down in the top of the carb, you'll see what I mean). Remove the main jet (it's in the center of the bottom of the carb when looking at it upside down, remove the piggy-back pilot jet and the pilot jet directly underneath it. Blow all three jets out with compressed air. Blow the carb out with compressed air as well.

There would have to be a lot of fuel in the carb for it to run back into the air filter. I'm thinking the float needle may have some junk under it and it's causing the bowl to fill up with fuel and flood the carb. Also make sure the float actually floats. Take a small punch or screw driver and push the pin out that holds the float and the needle. See if the float will float in some water. Blow that passage out with compressed air as well.

 

I pulled the main jet out, and then one other jet (not the one underneath) I cleaned them out. I didn't see anything dirty in there. But blew it all out. Put it back together and I still have the same issue.

I will take it apart again and try your suggestions. I will clean that jet that was underneath the other one as well.

 

Thanks for your help and advice!! I think i got it figured out. I was flooding the bike. I had the gas in the PRIME position and the choke on as well and I think I was just flooding it every time. Seems to be working fine now. Thanks again!!