I have just bought a 2004 Recon for my kids. On the first trip into the woods hit just alittle water and the atv started cutting out, after awhile it will finally start then after awhile will start running alright. Also will die going up ramp into back of truck.
Put up with this for about 2 months and took into shop. They keep it a week and called to say they had found the problem. They said it was a pinched air line running from carb under gas tank.
When I got it home I sprayed alittle water on the atv and again it started cutting out. And also you can lift the front of the bike up and it will die.

Any suggestions on a fix, it is about 3 hours round trip to Honda shop. Would rather fix it my self.

 

just a guess but it could be suckin air through the carb so when u spray water onto it the water gets in the carb, idk y it would die being tipped up tho

 

I did notice when I got it back from Honda shop yesterday that when I tip it up gas comes out of the drain hose from bottom of carb, and it is shut off.
I do not know if this was happening before I took it to the shop.

The pinched line under the gas tank, looks like the shop just moved it out from the holder under tank out and now it is by the inner front fender flap.
Should I extend it some where the water can't get to it.

 

yeah that would help

 

Well to eliminate any electrical, the first thing I would do is take off the spark plug boot and put some di-electric grease in there to seal out any water. This grease is available from any auto parts store and I apply it with an old toothbrush. Next, unplug any electrical connectors (one at a time) and apply this grease to them as well. A thin coat is all thats needed, worked into the connector with the brush. Its important to only use di-electric grease and no other because this grease will not block the flow of electricity.

Next, turn off the fuel line and open the drain on the bottom bowl of the carb to drain out any dirt or water that may have gotten in there, you may need to unbolt the bowl and inspet it, sounds like there's water in there for sure. Next thing to check is the boots on both the engine side of the carb and the airbox side for tears, holes or leaks. A tear on the engine side is very dangerous because you run the risk of running lean and frying your engine. One on the airbox side may allow water to get in the carb.

If nothing else, take the whole carb off the bike and bring it to a small engine mechanic to have it cleaned. If water got in there, sand or dirt may have too so it may need to be disassembled and cleaned.

 

That drain has to run straight down or it will nor run right. If it is bent or turned up the quad will run like crap.

 

Also.. Mine did the same thing as yours when I first got it but it quit after it was broke in. I also put a 110 keihin main jet in it. lowered the clip all the way on the needle. put a uni filter in and cut 8 ,1 inch holes in the airbox. I put a 250ex exhaust on with the baffle removed. Never happened again.

I think the problem is that the airbox is so restrictive it causes a vacumm in the bowl drain and sucks water in from there. I may be wrong. Take the airbox lid off and see if it still happens.

make sure that drain hangs straight down!

 

Sounds like you could also have trash in the carb resting in the needle and seat. This would allow continuos flow of fuel and therefore run out the over flow drain. Remove the bottom of the bowl and check for trash. I could be something from the factory or where they assemled the bike at the dealer. The shutting down would be from excessive fuel in the piston chamber. Tilt the bike let it die then remove the plug and check for excessive fuel. Hope this helps.

 

About a week ago I got some di-electrical grease and put on spark plug cap and all electrical connections.
And have went riding twice now, and no cutting out when getting in water.

I'm still crossing my fingers but this might have fixed it.

Thanks for everyone's help