I'm working on a 03 350 ​​​Rancher. I've replaced the choke cable and also the carb. The cable was froze up. And the carb was gummed up. Got the new carb installed. Started right up. Idled great. Put everything back together. Went for a test ride. Running great. Then it started hesitating and sounded like it was starving for fuel. On a whelm pulled the choke out, straightened right up. After a couple of seconds pushed the choke in. Ran great again for a couple of minutes then hesitation again. I was able to keep it going by repeating this every time.
Are there any carb adjustments to take care of this issue?

Thanks,
R.D.

 

It won't be carb adjustments required if it ran right for a while. If the original carb was gummed up, there is probably dirt in the tank. This gets through to the carb, and partially blocks the jets, it may, clear, it may not, but some more dirt then gets through and blocks the jets again. Even with tank cleaned out it is difficult to get all the dirt out, I usually put an in line filter on and see how it goes. Note, in line filters with paper elements air lock if run dry, so if you run out of fuel and go onto reserve, the fuel may not get past the filter without help.

 

carb problems ? Check your jets and float always. Sound like your machine starving for fuel or possibly air or to much check you idle when you start it make sure idle is correctly if
not carb issue right off id clean my carb starting with the jets and make sire clean your float proper. Take a pair channel locks or your preference to take the bottom bowl off the carb I'd take it apart and. Check what is said of not in can link you a aftermarket carb will work like a stock or new ones for around 39.99-50.00

 

I need help on an 03 rancher 4x4 es I was at a buddies other day on it and hus dad came by so I put it in reverse to get out of the way started backing up fine for a sec then just shut off checked air box there was oil in it that had came from the carb ig maybe but it lost compression barely has enough to try and fire now what could the problem be?

 

Well, loss of compression has absolutely nothing to do with the carb. First check valve clearances and fit a new plug. That oil will have come up the crankcase breather pipe, not through the carb, but burning oil clogs spark plugs. The 350 has an automatic decompressor for starting, so compression may not feel all that good, but check it anyway, once the valve clearance has been sorted. The 350 also has a habit of dropping a valve insert, which would show up as low compression, a big valve clearance and an intermittent knocking sound, once you do get it fired up.

 

Well I took the top end off my piston was scratches up and my rings were burnt up on one side my buddy thinks my timing chain tensioner broke or my chain fell off but idk I know there was a small amount of oil in side the aurbox and the air filter had a small amount on it but I can't find it out

 

If the piston is scratched on the side, the engine has seized, either he got it too hot or ran it short of oil. This is a very common thing on 350s as they only hold 2 litres and that soon gets used up if you don't keep a check. You are into a world of pain if the cam chain has let go, but I've never known one to do it on a 350, this wouldn't affect the piston anyway unless it made a valve hit it, and there would be a bent valve and a half moon "witness mark" on top of the piston if it had. If it was short of oil, check the shaft for the gearchange pedal, the oil seal can weep, or work its way out, and this adds to the loss of oil. Surprising how few owners notice oil leaking from there.

 

think I'm gonna just get the motor off my 2wd and put a top end on it and when I can afford the parts to fix this one I will but the piston was best up and rings were burnt but the spark plug was good when I checked it I use a piece of a metal rod and put in it and something was slapping it when I'd go to start it

 

check the oil in it and the oil level isbwhere its supposed to be so maybe cam chain snapped idk

 

You can see the cam if you take the followers out, now you have the cylinder off. Turn the crank round and see if the cam is going round as well. If it is, the chain isn't broken. As I wrote above, marks on the side of the piston are piston seizure, due to either oil shortage or getting too hot. We do 350s so often we have a rebored spare cylinder with piston, so we can take the seized ones off and pop a rebored one straight on without waiting for a new oversize piston to come, and then getting the cylinder bored to match it. Many times the bike has oil in it, but we can tell by the smell and dry rockers, that the owner has filled it up again with oil, after he seized it. Also check the fan works, in case this is the cause of overheating, and that oil is getting to the rockers, once rebuilt. Warning, it takes ages for oil to get there when you are spinning the engine over on the starter.