I've got a 2002 Arctic Cat 375. About 3500 hundred miles on it. The last couple of years I've had an issue with it. This problem only presents itself in very specific conditions. I've had multiple mechanics look at it with no success because they can't replicate the issue when I bring it in. If the outdoor temp is warm, say 75 or above, I can usually get it to happen. Or if I'm slowly driving through woods on a long drive. Would lead me to believe it is a heat issue because of this. When the wheeler does start acting up, it just bogs down and will sputter and even backfire if I give it gas over 20 mph hour. Sometimes it takes hours for this to unfold, and like last year, I only really ran it in the Spring and Fall, so the outside temp was never very warm. I didn't have issues. I just got back from a trip where we went on a long ride and in the last miles it started doing it again. You can imagine my frustration when I spend time to take it to dealers and they look at me like I'm crazy because they say it runs fine. I can't expect mechanics to put the time in to make the issue present itself as it can take hours. Anyone have any ideas on what can be wrong? I love this wheeler, I just want to be able to trust it.

 

This would leave me to believe the fuel is boiling since the symptom only really happens when its warmer out or if your driving slow.. Has the routing of the fuel line changed or any of the heat shields fallen off or been removed? Also when is the last time the carb has had a good cleaning and rebuild? You dont have allot of miles on it for the year so im also betting the carb is getting partially plugged up adding to the issue

 

Thanks for the insight, Zrock. The only thing that has ever really changed on it was mounting a winch to it. The plate in front changed from plastic to metal, but the holes seem to be about the same as the original plastic guard. I haven't ever rebuilt the carbs on this machine. I always kind of ruled that out because the wheeler runs so well until it gets to this "heated" state. I put on probably 800 miles last year with no issues.

 

i would pop the carb and give it a good cleaning or take it to a shop with a ultrasonic cleaner and get them to clean and rebuild for you. Follow your fuel line and see if its running close to exhaust or engine some ware You could get some of that wire loom protector and wrap it with heat tape and put it around the fuel line. Cheap and simple way to see if that is the issue..

 

Thought I would give an update. Well after a lot of angst, I decided to go with my local Cat mechanics recommendation and replace the stator on my machine. He said that the word was that this year four-wheeler had some issues with the stator and that there was a 70 percent chance that this was the issue. Sounds like stators can be linked to heat issues. Anyway, you can imagine my nervousness riding after this new stator was put in since there was a 30 percent chance that we replaced something that didn't need to be replaced. I'm happy to report, so far so good. I've put on about 100 miles with no issues. The problem is, the weather has significantly cooled down since the fix, so I really haven't put it through the "heat" test that I will have to probably wait until next summer to do.