I have a 2000 Rancher ES 2X4- and have discovered an irritating problem..when the front end stays up for more than a few seconds (as in "floating the front wheels" in deep water) it gas-floods. No water in airbox or exhaust or on electrical- when it cranks it smokes black (FUEL SMOKE) and stinks like gas. This gets irritating after a while!! Anybody else had this problem, or have a fix for it? I'm going to call the dealer tomorrow- I love the quad, it goes great (better than the old 300's that were with us) but the flooding is kinda aggrivating!
Greg Coats
'00 Rancher ES
'87 LT250R

 

I've floated mine acoupla times. The first time it freaked me out, I thought it was coming over,(don't ask)and I let off the gas and dropped the front end. Of course, it water flooded. After drying it out, and getting BIG flack from the other guys, I went on through and just let it float, and did just fine. I guess it floated at about a 30 degree angle for about 10 seconds.

What would you guess is your angle when floating ?
I know that when I stand mine up on the rear rack it will do that if I forget to turn the fuel off.

Dave

 

I'd say probably 30 degrees or so. We rode down a creek (about 5 miles) and it only started to be a problem after a long (probably 1 minute) float. After that it would do it easier ,after a few seconds. Not sure if it's a venting problem, or bowl float problem- maybe the float is adjusted too high?
This was the first time I'd ever floated one in "deep" water- it's wild looking, not to mention fun! There was a guy on a warrior with us, he had some bigger front tires than stock- it even floated pretty well. It was the only one that didn't drown out (or flood out). It looked reallly strange motoring down the creek...
Greg Coats
'00 Orange Rancher ES 2X4
'87 Lt250R

 

Plug the drain line off the bottom of the carb while riding in water. This will solve your problem. It is getting water in the carb which makes the bike want to missed which makes you give it more gas which makes you think it is flooding out.

A Polaris guy does his good deed for the day.

Greg

 

Is this something you can always leave plugged, or should you only do it when in deep water?

 

The purpose of the overflow needle is to allow gas to escape if the float sticks or bounces like in transition on your trailer. If you want to leave it plugged, be sure to always turn off the fuel when not in use. If you do not the gas cannot escape and you might find a airbox full of gas. And I mean FULL. That could be ugly if you tried to start it while sitting on a air box full of fuel. Anyway, you decide but be careful to shut off the fuel if you leave it plugged.

Greg