ive heard i need to adjust my valves.atv is like new no mods

 

You should adjust your valves just after break-in....at ~20 hours.

Hondas are jetted lean to meet emissions requirements, and the cold weather will make you even more lean. Your quad has a pumper carb, so what I do is press the throtle several times before a cold start. This injects fuel directly into the carb, and that works even better than the choke for me. Add in some choke as well, as necessary.

If you live where it is very cold it's a good idea to run a lighter oil for winter, like 5W30 for example.

 

thanks

 

If its the valves, youd be able to verify with a compression test. Its usually the intake valve will tighten up, and the compresion will drop off . Itll start warm, but not cold.
If the compression test is good,or the valves check in tolerance, try the bigger pilot jet fix. Go with a #42 pilot, and itll start a lot easier.
article here

Also be careful with the throttle when starting, its very easy to flood that motor, and once that happens, its a real bugger to get going. So try a new spark plug , too.
If it just wont start, because of flooding or the battery wears down, just have your buddy hook up a tow strap, and bump start it.

 

thanks.do you know what the compression should be with the valve problem and without.

 

all honda are hard to start in the cold

even after rejeting my 400 with a 42 pilot jet

my rancher is fuel injected not a problem

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Dans 07400ex

thanks.do you know what the compression should be with the valve problem and without.</end quote></div>

I have an 01 400ex and my local dealership told me 125psi means you're good.

 

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

all honda are hard to start in the cold



even after rejeting my 400 with a 42 pilot jet



my rancher is fuel injected not a problem</end quote></div>


If your carbed Honda is not starting good in cold weather, ditch you carb tuning personnel .... the statement of "All honda's start hard in cold weather" is untrue and misleading.

I have hundereds and hundereds of customers who will argue this issue with you after I set their carbs the correct way. No problems with cold weather start-up.

----- Gimpster -----

 

The only problem I have ever had starting my 04 400EX was when fuel in float bowl became stale. Now if more than a few weeks between starts I will use float drain screw to drain all old gas from float bowl. The gas in tank is always better than gas in float bowl. If starting is still an issue then the problem is most likely caused by a plugged pilot jet due to setting too long with bad gas in float bowl.