OK I just bought a friends 2000 honda recon. It was in the shop due to a broken rod and a locked up transmission. I paid for it to get out of the shop because my friend did not have the money to get it out so he told me I could have it. I bought a rebuilt engine for it and put it in my self. The only original parts I used were the stator, magneto, starter, starter gears and carburetor. I have taken the carb apart cleaned all the jets checked the floats and so on. The only way I can get it started is if I have the air intake jet out about six turns almost causing it to fall out. It also will only run if the choke it on. If I even give it a slight bit of gas it dies. I am completly lost I have tried everything I know of to resolve the problem. New gas, new plug. If anyone has any ideas please help me.

 

Sounds like its carb related. And sounds like its too lean. Check for vacumn leaks in the intake area.
Will it keep running if you keep it above idle? Idle speed too low? Is the air box off/air filter off?

 

I have got the idle screw sitting at one spot and if i turn it more than 1/8 turn either way it sputters and dies. I have tried it with the air box on and off. It did not really affect it. If i don't have both the air and idle screws at that certain position it will not start at all. I am about ready to take it to the honda place and have them do it. I really would rather not though because I would like to say that I got it completly running myself if you know what I mean.

 

OK I just figured out something new. I have two tubes that are not connected to anything else coming from my carburetor. One of them is the one coming from the bottom of the float bowl for overflow. The other one I do not know what it iws for. It has the longest tube on it and I do not have it connected to anything. I thought it might be for another overflow but I have found out that if I blow on that tube the atv runs fine. I can give it gas put it in gear and go. It is kind of akward trying to drive while blowing on a tube though. If anyone knows where that tube goes, if anywhere, or maybe a solution it would be greatly appreciated.

 

carb pic
In this picture, the idle speed adjust is #9. Turing it in, makes the slide ride up higher in the bore, and makes the idle faster.
#6 is the mixture screw, and going out makes it richer. Starting position is about 2 1/2 turns out, from lightly seated.
Look to make sure the gasket, #14 is there, and the top nut is snug.
#33 is the pilot jet, and this is where the gas comes from at idle. Make sure it isnt plugged up. You should be able to see light thru the jet (when its removed), like looking thru a straw. Its a very small hole, and if its plugged...try running a wire thru it, to unblock it.

Hows the motors compression?

 

The pic should help you see where it goes. We must have posted at the same time. Having that tube off, created a big vacumn leak, putting it back on will stop the leak and it should run much better.
The bottom tube just hangs there, and its the vent and overflow.

 

Ok here's an update. I got it running perfectly. It turns out that the main jet was not clogged but only had a needle sized hole to let gas through. There was dirt clogging the rest of it. Cleaned the dirt out and it runs perfectly. Thank you everyone for your help.

<u>Overview</u>

2000 Honda Recon
Olive Green
TRX250TM

Amount paid to get ATV out of shop to make it mine: $208.00 (This was the labor charges for the tear down of the original motor that my friend could not pay for).

Amount paid for rebuilt complete engine: $345.95

Total amount paid for a great ATV for hunting: $557.95

I think I got a pretty good deal considering the 2 weeks of relentless work I had to put into it.

Once again thank you all.

 

awesome deal. hey hondabuster, 2 1/2 turns out is the factory spec for the air/fuel mixture?? i'm at 1 3/4 turn.

 

confusedbuyer
2 1/2 turns is kind of a generic start point for almost all carbs. Im not sure what the factory spec is, I dont have a service manual for that one. Usually this will get it started and let it warm up enough to set it for the conditions. I find the summer setting and the winter setting are about 3/4 turn different. Heres a good site for carb adjusting, with symptoms of lean and rich.carb jetting
I just go by the drivability symptoms, if its running good, then the carb is set right. Yours is fine at 1 3/4 turns out, if it doesnt pop on tip in, or back fire on lett off, and starts and runs good when cold.

 

cold running is horrible. warmed up seems good, except it pops/ almost backfires when letting off gas (when warm).