I have a 1986 Honda Fourtrax that will not start. It will not start even if I give it a shot of ether in the intake.
I have a big car battery boosting it so there is lots of power.
And there is spark at the plug.
Could the spark be too weak? and how would I tell?
The plug is aways wet with gas when I take it out. Could it always be flooding itself?

 

First (and easiest) thing to do is replace the plug. Just because it's sparking in the open doesn't mean it is a good plug and will spark under compression.

 

are you familiar with plugs? - the one in it is a NGK DR7ES but my local store only has a DR8ES - what would the difference be?
The plug is always "wet" - if it is flooding how can I get rid of the flood to get it started - I always thought ether would start anything

 

A DR7ES is one step hotter than a DR8ES and I believe your manual calls for a DR8ES in your quad. But that's not why it's wet. It could be wet simply because it's not firing under compression. So, you are pulling gas into the cylinder but because the plug isn't firing under compression, it stays wet. Ether won't help any if it is pulling in gas. Ok, so if it is flooding, try no choke and fully open the throttle. This will give you lots of air to go with the gas. Don't pump the throttle, just hold it wide open while cranking the engine over. If it starts, don't keep it wide open. If that doesn't work, spend $5 and try a new plug. If that doesn't work, then we need to get into other things like the carb. I'm guessing you're running the hotter plug to burn off deposits that build up because of it being such an old machine you possibly have oil getting past the rings. So, I'd buy the DR8ES and try it but you may ultimately need to move to the hotter DR7ES. It may be that the float setting in the carb isn't correct or maybe the carb simply needs to be cleaned.

 

ok - thanks for your suggestions - I will go out and buy a new plug and try that

 

Did you get it running?

 

yes - I actually didn't get to it until yesterday - I bought the plug you recommended and gave it a shot of ether and it started and ran fine.
I have had this problem before after it sits. Could it be a carb problem that floods the cylinder initially and then the plug is no good?

 

I'm no expert but I don't think the carb and the plug are related, at least THIS time. But when it sits and doesn't start it's usually a fuel problem, like old gas that has gummed up the carb. There's alot of small ports inside of carbs that are very easily clogged with old gas that turns to a varnish like substance. Use Sta-Bil in the tank when you plan to let it sit for more than a month. I also like to shut the gas off at the tank and start it and run it until it quits. This empties the gas out of the carb. However, THIS time my guess is you had a bad plug. Did you get the DR8 or te DR7?