tried starting fluid..... sounds like it wants to start....but still won't... that can't be good huh.....

 

No that's actually good,it's progress.If it is trying to start at least you know it is firing and you know you have "some" compression,it may be fuel related.There is a flat head brass colored bowl drain screw ,on the 450 it should be on the right side "pull start side" find a good fitting screw driver and turn the screw counterclockwise only about two turns out and watch the fuel over flow hose leading out the bowl,it's a black hose with a black check valve leading under the atv,it would be helpful & eco friendly to catch the fuel in something clear,clean and dry to check for water in the bowl/tank. Let the fuel flow for about 30 seconds and tighten the bowl drain screw snug.Usually if it is running fine when parked it's nothing major.I've seen some that nearly tore the whole 4-wheeler apart because of a bumped out of place run switch on the handlebar,simple things first always

 

i will try that........guess i better work for a bit first (dam jobs take up all our time).... thanks again!!!

 

As mentioned if you have spark and good compression the only other component is fuel,you could have clogged jets ,a stuck float needle which will require pulling the carb and removing the bowl and cleaning or possibly contaminated fuel or the strainers in the tank are clogged,none of this is very hard to do yourself,any questions I'll try to help.

 

ok, i'll let you know what happens. thanks!

 

I am working on a 400ex now did the same thing got ticked off with it took it down piston was gaulded (however its spelled)

good luck

 

oh no.... thanks for the note.... i'll let you know what i find out....
thanks again all!!!

 

i have a '98 450ES as well so i took that out to my friends place where we could look at both wheelers at the same time..... still no luck.... Then.....
we are looking the wheeler just sitting there....we had tried to start 9-10 times that morning....decide i'm going to take it to a shop..... i lean over for just for fun and hit the start button....VRRRROOOOOOMM!!! fires up! turn off, did it again... started it 30 times since sat and can't get it not to start....... WHAT?????

one guy said a valve may have been stuck open because the compression is way more than it was when it wasn't starting....... i don't get it....

guess i'll keep running it until it doesn't start again and then take it in?
any other suggestions?

i promise the run switch was in correct posistion.....

thanks!!!!