I'm new to the forum but a big thanks for all the help already. I searched the archives a lot before getting my first ATVs.

I'm having trouble with my 01 Rancher 350 though. At first it would run a while then just cut out and not restart for a while. Took it in had the carb all cleaned out. Took it out a couple times and it was doing fine, then when I had to tow another ATV it died on me again. It wouldn't restart right away, after 10-20 minutes it would start for a short period and die again. Let it sit overnight, and ran the hell out of it today, couldn't make it die no matter how much weight I loaded on it, how fast or slow it ran or how big a hill I climbed.

The only thing I can think of is maybe there is a faulty oil temp sending unit? The oil temp light doesn't come one except for right when you start it. But it seems that once it cools all the way down it starts up just fine.

Any help would be great, thanks!

 

check your fuel tank vent on the cap. if it's plugged, it will build vaccuum in the tank as the fuel is used, the vacuum will then cause the fuel to stop flowing, causing it to die. after it sits, the vacuum slowly pulls enough air back in through the carburetor vents and other small holes (like if the vent isnt completely plugged) and it will start and run again after sitting, and then do the same thing again.


also, when the machine dies, check for spark right away. if no spark, check the coil over good. If it has no spark right away, but then has spark later, i would bet on an ignition coil.

 

Thanks, I'll check the vent. It has spark, we checked that when it died the first time before getting the carb cleaned out.

 

Did you ever figure out what was wrong?

 

air filter clogged maybe?

 

Sorry, I know it's been a long time since this post.

It was a plugged up breather tube to the tank vent. Solved the problem right away.

 

I can't count the number of times that I have bailed someone out on the trail who had a blocked tank vent. Those little stubbie ones with a valve in them are the worst...they frequently stick.