I just bought a 2000 Arctic cat 500 4x4 runs great at idle, and any where up to 20 miles per hour. When i give it more throttle it runs great for around 20 seconds at the speed then all of a sudden it backfires and coughs then dies. The quad is mint, only 400 miles on the quad. I have new 87 oct gas in it. bike sounds like the electricity is cut off to it, but all i can think of it being is a problem with build up in the main jet (since its in the 1/2 to full throttle range). i have not taken the carb apart yet nor sprayed any carb cleaner in it. the quad had been sitting for approx 9 months before i bought it.


any help would be greatly appreciated

Zack

 

thinking about it, i think the coil might be failing when it gets hot. does that sound like a logical explanation? it sounds just like the spark is cut off at high speeds and thats why its backfiring... not sure though.

 

sorry duplicate post

 

FireHunt,

Everytime mine has done the backfire and dies I clean the carb real well and the problem goes away. I think it happens because chunks plug the jets. In your case the high speed jet.

Remove the cab, take the float bowl off and clean every hole you can find. be careful sot to spray stuff in your eyes doing this. I then blown air through each hole with the air compressor. I usually find green chunks of stuff in the float bowl. Put it all back together then put a good fuel additive into the fuel like Seafoam and you are good to go. I do not think you have any electrical issue or it would happen at an idle as well.

SJ

 

my .02, iv seen quite a few AC's in the 99-01 range with coil problems, but your symptoms dont sound like a coil going out. usualy they warm up and run well for a few munites to an hour then die. its generally an intermittent problem.

clean your carb, and it wouldnt be a bad idea to clean out the tank as well, seeing the quad has been setting for so many years. once you get done go 2 the hardware store or walmart and buy a can of Sea-foam cleaner. the best $7.00 youll ever spend for your engine. it will help keep the carb clean if used regularly!

good luck