Hey, so i bought a used 2007 Honda TRX250ex. I replaced the battery and it fired right up. Havent really driven it yet, only started it a few times and let it idle. The last time i went and started it, started right up no problem...after five minutes it shut off. Hasnt started again. The starter seems like its doing its job it just wont fire up. I didnt know the history on the quad so to be safe i just drained and changed the oil and gas tank. I put a new spark plug in and still nothing. I even tried dropping it in first and trying to manually start it while i was pushing it. I got it to fire up once for a quick second then it died. I do not know what else to do besides pay $100 to have someone look at it. Any ideas or tips i could try would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Jon

 

take off the air filter and spray in some starter fluid or carb cleaner and see if it fires up

 

Does it have spark all of the time? Could also have picked up some debris from the tank and need to have the carb cleaned.

 

In order for it to run, it needs air, spark, fuel, and compression. First take the plug out, then ground it against the frame/engine case and turn it over. Do you see a spark? This isn't a guarantee the spark is strong enough, but it is a start.

Next put your thumb over the plug hole(before reinstalling it.) When you crank the engine over it should push your thumb off on the compression stroke. Again, not a true measure of compression, but it may lead you in the right direction.

Both those checked out? Then you can put some gas or even starter fluid down the plug hole before replacing the plug. Crank it over and it should run for a short time just on what you put in the cylinder.

After that, I would remove the fuel line from the carb and look for flow. If fuel is getting to the carb and it started as above, the problem is likely a clogged pilot and/or float issue.

Just from personal experience, I am leaning towards the machine has probably sat around not properly stored. Likely you have some jets clogged from old gas that has varnished and possibly other debris in the float bowl. Still it is a good idea to test the spark etc BEFORE you start playing around with the carb spilling gas and what not.

 

yeah
remember your FACTS

Fuel
Air
Compression
Timing
Spark

 

Sounds like the petcock is closed and it ran out of gas.

 

lol, thats what i was thinkin. but surely not, right?