I went out and tried starting my Prairie today and it turned over once and stopped. It wouldn't even turn over anymore. Boy was I scared! I thought I blew it up! Then I noticed a hissing sound coming from the rear. I looked back and it was coming from the gas tank cap. I opened it up and let out all the pressure in there. After that it started right up. What was the problem here? Anyone else have this? How can prevent this from happening again?
Thanks

 

Haven't had that particular problem but I do occasionally have a different gas problem. Sometimes I smell a strong odor of gas and have found that it is settling on the cover over the air cleaner next to the handlebars. I don't what could be up that high unless it's a breather or something similar. Doesn't do it all the time. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

 

Thanks for the response Preacherman.
I think the gas tank breather is in the rear, but I'm not sure how it works. The smell you are referring to may be in the air cleaner from the carbs or something. I can't understand why it wouldn't turn over because of the pressure in the tank. On my Polaris; it wouldn't run right when the air hose was blocked off to the gas tank, but it would still turn over. This is boggling my mind. May have something to do with the fuel pump or something. I heard the 650's have a pump. Is that true? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

 

Yes they have a fuel pump to help with the gravity issue since the tank is lower/ even with the carbs, and not sitting on the carbs like other bikes.
The one thing I wonder is...Since the fuel pump is electric, will this atv pull start with a dead battery???

 

I have about 400 miles on mine now. It's done the exact same thing about 4 times now. When I try to start it, you can hear the starter engaging but it's like it can't turn-over. The first time I freaked out too thinking she was locked up. Beside's that I've had no problems at all. All I ever do is just hit try again a few seconds later and it's always started fine. Still love this quad, it's totally awesome! Good Luck

 

Guys you may want to check your oil for Gas. It sound like maybe your getting pressure logged in the tank and it may be pushing the cylinder full of gas. That would also explain the smell of gas in the airbox area. Just and idea.

 

You folks MAY want to check your battery terminals for tightness, mine were only snug. ALSO check the ground connection.
The fuel tank vent lines are in the Rt. Rear inner fender area. It is pictured in your manual, in the maintenance section.

 

Roofer, not only did I smell the gas but I saw it. It settled on the air cleaner lid up next to the handle bars. I thought it may be water but when I wiped it with my finger and smelled, there was no mistake of it being gas. The fuel pump mentioned on this thread may have something to do with it. I have noticed that pressure does build up in the gas tank. I don't know where the fuel pump is nor do I know what the pressure should be. I guess I should get a service manual as I've read of others doing on this forum. Thanks for the replies...

 

Dustin...How would you check your oil for gas?

 

Encore. All you gotta do to check your oil for gas is smell it. Smell some oil and then smell the oil from your quad. If you smell gas, you got a problem.