Hey Folks!

I need some help concerning my 01 Rancher 4x4 es...

I bought it used a few months ago and now am having issues with the carb (I think).

When on the throttle hard and then off of the throttle (like when coming to a stop) it wants to die...but, if I bump the throttle a lil bit it will stay running. Also, when going up OR down very steep slopes, the machine trys to stall.

Today after a bit of mud riding and quick jounts thru the trails, I started to hill climb....Now here is where my trouble started.... Just as my machine was almost "vertical" (I am sooo dramatic!), it STALLS!! I had no other choice than to coast backwards back to the bottom. Anyway, after I started it back up, it would not stay running unless it continued to "pat" the throttle. So, I hop off and look @ the crippled 350 and notice fuel dripping from the overflow hose from the bottom of the carb. I think the float gets stuck....

Does this sould like the proper diagnosis?

Is this a common issue with ATV in general or just the Hondas that use this particular carbs?

Or is it just a preventitive maintenance issue that was neglected?

Any quick and cheap ways to fix this?

Thanks in advance for your time, any and all help would be appreciated.

 

A carb clean and set by a good carb guy is probably in order. A few things you could check and try before removing carb though. Make sure the vent hose coming off the fuel cap is not obstructed for starters. Then check the hoses that vent your carb to atmosphere for obstruction. You can access these by removing your seat and finding the hoses that are routed thru the snorkel for your airbox. Also check your airbox for gas or oil in the bottem and service your air cleaner in case it got fuel contaminated. If you find oil in the bottem of your airbox, check your oil level. It could be overfilled, and also check your crankcase vent (big hose from right side of engine to airbox) for obstruction. If these are in order. Try draining your carb via the drain screw facing out on the bottem of the float bowl. This will allow the float to drop. Now remove your fuel line and spay carb cleaner through the line (DO NOT use compressed air for this). It should be draining out the float bowl. Allow it to drain, close the drain screw and turn the gas back on while tapping the carb with the back of a screwdriver. Also for best performance, you may need to adjust the idle speed\mixture screw. If none of this works, carb gotta be cleaned and inspected.