I just traded for this...it's a 98 Foreman 400....oh where to start....water in diffs, engine,brakes...etc...etc plus stinky fuel... someone painted it to make it pretty but didn't take care of the function stuff...I always end up with other peoples headaches though (I'm used to it) ...I think I have something worth fixing though....Starts easy and runs good...I've already changed fluids and will do it a few times over the next few weeks...going to purchase a disc brake conversion kit and adjust valves soon... need a choke lever and a few more basics but getting there.....

 

Here are some problems I have found thus far... It seems to run really hot for one thing...The fan wasn't kicking on so I tapped in to the fan power circuit and added a toggle switch...I prefer control over the fans anyway I am the only one that drives it and I can keep up with it better... Still running hot though even though the fan was running all the time...it was about 70 degrees yesterday and I rode it for a couple hours... felt like my leg was on fire... lol

 

Oh ... I have fresh oil in it, filter with the words toward the case as suggested, and I used the 20w 50 since it was getting hot (in my experience the thicker oil doesn't heat up as bad) ... still hot... hummmm Thinking not I will take the oil cooler apart and flush all the lines, check fins, and do another oil change... should I stay with the 20W 50 since its getting too hot? What are your suggestions? anyone???

 

Looks like a very nice old quad. Those tires are worth $1000 right there. I suppose if the price was cheap, you've got a deal as long as those little things can be fixed.

 

Is there mud caked around the fins of the cooler?

 

you were sold on it because of the tires- how much did you pay for it?

 

I traded a dirt bike for it.... 1200-1500 for the bike and it was even up trade so... I didn't need the dirt bike and I needed a 4-wheeler...I need a timing chain and I plan to do the front disc conversion...I hate drum brakes... yes the tires was a factor they just look cool but I am also sold on the foreman ...I had an old one years ago and it was a tank and my brother in law has went through 2 and he loves them...I value his opinion as he knows quads real well.... I like the suzuki's quite a bit too but gonna give this one a shot....

 

Looks like you got yourself a monster. As to oil thickness, I am not sure that thicker oil will help bring down engine temps. But if you have an engine that is getting hotter than it should thicker oil should help you keep the engine components protected because oil thins out as it heats up and if it gets too thin it can cause parts to wear more quickly.

 

Yes...I agree with you...I guess I kinda worded it wrong but I had that same idea... I plan to figure out why it's overheating before I run it much...Going to take the oil cooler and lines apart, check the oil pump because the timing chain needs replaced anyway...It also smokes a little but only when I first start it up...I'm thinking valve guides but I was wondering....do these machines have valve stem seals or is it just tight tolerances in the valve and valve guides? Thanks for all your input...

 

Yes it should have valve stem seals. If you order a gasket kit they should include those.