I'm having trouble getting my 1996 Sportsman 400 to start when it hasn't been run for a few days. I recently rebuilt the carb (carb kit). But that didn't seem to clear up my issues. I can get it to turn over very easily if I spray a bit of starting fluid in the air box, but otherwise it's almost impossible to start with just manipulating the choke (half or full open). What should I be looking for?

 

I'd be looking at a compression check before I did anything else. If it's low,110 psi or lower,then a carb kit won't help. If it at least shows 120 psi or more and still wont start,leaking crank seals can cause problems,especially the one behind the drive clutch. Must have a good seal and compression in the bottom of the crank case as well as top end compression for the fuel/air/oil mixture to compress and shoot up the transfer ports for ignition.

 

Not to thread jack but on the topic of starting fluid, how much can be sprayed into the air intake on a carb quad (4 stroke 02 sportsman 500)

 

Just a couple short bursts as ether can wash oil from cylinder walls and excessive use of ether can cause problems. Starting fluid is to just help one get started and that's it.. If something wont start on this or stay running,then you need to repair what is needed such as as stopped up carb.