I have a 2003 Prairie 650. It has about 40 miles on it and just over 10 hours of run time. The second time I had it out, I noticed a squeak when ever I was standing still and then pressed on the excelorator. The squeak sounds like the squeal of tires when you peel out in your car. It only happens when I first take off but when I stop and start again, it does it. The noise is not coming from down by the belt. It sounds like it is coming from infront of the air filter. This is my first quad and I don't know much. Any ideas as to this? Also, while I have your attention, my quad also has a REAL hard time starting when it is cold. Even fully choked . I have to rev it to keep it from dying. I can not just start it and let it idle until its warm. I have read that I may need to adjust something but I don't remember what. Could some one explain exactly what and were the dial is that needs to be adjusted and is it something that I can do myself easily? I do appreciate any help. I do have the think service manual for the quad so if you could tell me what page to look on to find the valve to adjust that would be sweet.
Thanks!
Bryan

 

MINE MAKES THE SAME NOISE AT TAKE OFF. SOUNDS LIKE A BELT CHIRP.

 

I put my ear down by the belt at takeoff and it does not appear to be coming from the belt area. I may be wrong though.

 

yes but the sound could be traveling mine does it. does it sound like a chirp.

 

Yeah, kinda like a chirp. Its annoying. You pay all this money for the quad and it sounds horrible taking off.

 

here is a good website for you to look things up on about your bike a guy gave it to me on this and i thought maybe it will help you. www.techtip.homeip.net look for 650 on there and read all about different problems and how to solve them.. also mine does not make the noise when i take off it makes it when it is in gear and ideling it only makes it for a sec .. according to that web sire i gave you it says your belt is loose but then again hard to say i hope you find out what it is soon for your sake after spendning alot of money let me know how you make out.

 

it could be the kebc actuator, mine did that (high pitch screeching noise on take off). the sensor went bad cuasing the actuator to stay engaged at all times. with the new one it doesnt make the noise anymore, its a $234 part (if it does it again its coming off not worth the money)

 

It really sounds like a belt issue. Take off your belt cover and check for any kind of grooves in the sheaves or any belt glazing. I heard that squeak at sitting in neutral or still is too tight, and squeal at take off or loss of top speed it is loose. Not positive on that but pretty sure.

 

ATVXtreme,

The exhaust from the belt housing exits just behind the air filter cover and just ahead of your battery. It would make sense that you hear the sound coming from there. If the belt squeals at takeoff it is definately too loose.

ED