Today I was riding my '98 Big Bear 350 4x4. I rode for a couple of hours:
very low speed
steep inclines/declines
climbing over trees and rocks
pushing through/over small trees

For the first time, about 40 minutes in, after revving the engine, it would occasionally die after revving down back to idle. This has never happened before.

When I got back to the garage, I killed it and unloaded. When I tried to crank after it sat for about 4 minutes, it would not. Then I noticed that fuel was dripping from the airbox.


Does this definitely mean that the float in the carb needs replacing?

Thank you very much for your input.

 

If gas is running into the air box,probably a needle and seat worn or sticking. If you go to all the trouble of pulling a carb,rebuild it! No sense in having to go back in twice if cleaning or trying to adjust float level doesn't work.http://www.ebay.com/itm/CARB-REBUILD-REPAIR-KIT-YAMAHA-1998-1999-BIG-BEAR-350-4X4-4WD-YFM350F-YFM350-F-/370628007647?hash=item564b2696df&vxp=mtr