I have something that I need help with. My bayou has been acting up lately. One thing that is the matter with it is when I have the atv fully warmed up and I take the throttle and gun it it dies out on me. Even if it's only half throttle. It even does this when I have it in neutral. It also sputters if you hold the gas at a steady RPM. It sputters really bad if you rev it high and hold it. It's almost like it's mini backfires but not very loud. and sometimes instead of sputtering there's a little pop at low rpm's that sound like it's coming from the air box. It almost sounds to me like I need to clean my carb. What do you think? Another thing I want to ask about is an engine tick. it has been making a ticking sound for quite awhile but now it's almost like a rattle. The machine probably has around 1,000 miles on it I"m guessing. I've only had it for about six months though because I bought it off of someone six months ago and it's a 1992. On some days the ticking is louder than others. THe last thing that I'm going to ask about is my electric starter. When I click the start button a lot of the time it just makes one "click" from the starter relay under the seat but there's no response from the electric starter. But sometimes I can actually get the electric starter to work properly. BUt sometimes it takes like 15 tries to even get the starter to work. Story for the extremely long post but I would like to know what you think the problem is with my atv. Thanks for your time I very much appreciate it.

 

I would try cleaning the carb first. It couldn’t hurt even if that’s not the problem. As for the ticking sound, my ‘96 has a tick, although it doesn't sound bad. When a rattling started on my wheeler I found on of the studs for the heat shielding on the exhaust pipe missing, check for anything lose.

 

The sputter problem could be several things:

-As mentioned above a carb cleaning wouldn’t hurt.

-Could be bad gas.

-Fuel filter, fuel switch, or fuel line could be plugged.

-Could use a tune up (spark plug & filters)

-Possible bad spark plug wire (burnt from exhaust or something)

-CDI or ignition box is starting to go bad or damaged from water.

Start with the cheap do-it-yourself solutions first, if all else fails take it to a dealer for examination.

 

ok.i think i can help you out a little bit.the bad sputttering happened to me once.except it wouldnt even run it was so bad.all it needed was a good carb. clean.and make sure you get the jets and stuff cleaned out good.but then again...my friends 220 is doing something like this and his carb is in perfect shape and all his hoses and stuff are ok.its something bad in the motor.im not sure about allof that though.and he dosent know about it either.
the ticking in your engine is bound to be the timing chain.the guy who fixed mine said it would be either the timing chain,crankcase,clutch berring, or clattered valve.well it was the timing chan and he replaced it for roughly 150 dollars including labor and tax.
the problem you are having with your starter is your starter brushes are going bad.the mechanic that we go to told us it would be close to 200 dollars to get that fixed.and a whole new starter is roughly 300 dollars for a 220.or thats what he said.you may luck up though and get one for cheaper if thats the case.
i hope i helped you a little and i regret ever letting my dad buy me a bayou 220.i hate to say this but me and all my friends who have them have nothing but trouble out of them.i hope you have better luck with yours.

 

What you have sounds very familiar. I had this happens to a friend recently. Everyone gave him the same responses you are getting here. The odds are that your timing chain is fine. Those chains last basically forever. The carb cleaning might help but that does explain the ticking. This is my guess. Your cam bolt has loosened slightly. This will let the cam pin eat into the cam sproket causing slack and mis-firing. This would allow the motor to fire with the intake valve slightly open expaining the noise from your airbox. If you catch it in time this is a very easy fix. Even esiar than cleaning the carb. Anyway I might be wrong, but I is easy to check and will save you alot of money if I am right. By the way if I am right, and you ride it till it strips the cam pin out, you might bend a valve, ruin the cam and cam sproket and lose the cam pin in the crankcase forever or until you split the case. Hope this helps.
Good Luck,
Greg

 

Once of the best ways to keep your fuel system in good shape is to install an inexpensive fuel filter in the line between the tank and carb. Check the small engine section of the Lawn and Garden department at your local Wal-Mart. I have seen them there in 3-packs.