I keep my 2001honda3504x4 fourtrax in a heated garage this winter, and it still needs a full choke to start :-/. If I leave it out in the cold for a few hours I need to prime the carb to get it going. My friend has a 2000 same machine and it wont start at all outside unless we take off the fuel filter and put our hand over the hose to create a suction and give it strait gas. kind of a pain. mind you his quad is in nasty shape and does not keep after it all.

profanity edited by moderator

 

I give my 01 Rancher full choke and it starts right up every time in a non-heated garage. The Recon also starts right up at full choke, but I have to hold my thumb on the throttle for a couple of minutes.

 

i have to full choke mine if i want it to run for more then 5 seconds,no matter how warm or cold it is outside.

 

i only need to choke in cold weather but when its cold out, i need to push my quad out i cant get it into reverse without it staling

 

i think it might be certain machines or something, i got a 2000 EX and when ever i wanna ride it i just turn on the key, pump the throttle 4 times and it fires right up no matter the temperature, it might be that mines jetted, or i dont know what it is

 

Well fellas
I have a 2000 450es and it is not at all hard to start, not even in -30F without the primer. The 450, rancher, and Rubicon all have carb heaters. turn the key on let sit for 30 sec to a minute, then pull the choke all the way out, then start. It should fire right up. Leave the choke on until the engine starts to sputter, then push the choke half way in, wait another minute or until it starts to sputter again, then push the choke all the way in. The primer should only be needed in extreme cold. My suggestion is: if this procedure doesn't work for your Rancher, take it back to the dealer or a repair shop to have it tuned up properly and the carb set-up.

 

Well, I keep my 2001 Rancher ES 4x4 in a non-heated garage and I keep my quad very clean after riding, but I have had a few problems with getting mine started because my choke has froze up several times. When it's above freezing i've never had a problem with my Rancher starting. One time I had to start it by priming the carb, which was a long process. I have also heard of others whose chokes on their Rancher are freezing up. I sprayed WD-40 inside my choke cable and then sprayed it with some teflon oil. Hopefully, this will fix my problem.

 

I have a 2000 rancher4x4es, and had problems starting it in the cold. I tried everything I could think of and still had major problems. Some guys said give gas, some said prime it, and others said choke it. I read a post awhile back about the carb heater and gave it a try. I turn the key on and leave it for a minute or two. Pull the choke full and hit the starter. Since I have started this porcedure, I have had no problems whatsoever starting even at -10 degrees. One thing to remember is to turn the headlights off while letting the carb heater warm up. The longer you wait the easier it seems to start. Usually I don't even have to leve the choke on longer than 20 or 30 seconds and it will run fine.
My Rancher sits on my trailer outside all winter and now that I figured out the starting trick, I even plow with it!

 

I have a 01 rancher 4x4 and a 01 recon and the rancher starts in the cold every time w/o exception. the recon on the other hand is so cold blooded that if i want it to start at all i have to hold the throtle open with the choke on as well. since the recon is only about 2wks old this might be the reason, but still it is kinda a pain because it won't go into reverse with out die'in. But once they are warm are they ever a blast to ride!

 

I think Honda jets lean at the factory, to help meet air quality standards. If you put a pipe on your bike and rejet, it goes away.