I have 02 Prarie 650, having extremely hard time starting in cold weather(10f to 35f), I must of fowled out the plugs yesterday, thier pretty black. Tried to clean them up but it still run harsh. Gonna get some new ones 2day and try them out. Bottom line anyone have pointers on how to start when cold? How about a block heater?

 

did you try pushing the primer 3 to 5 times?

 

Treat your fuel with seafoam or something like it. Keep quad inside if possible.
Full choke and 1/8th throttle, try that. My plugs we always black when I pulled them. Soot black not raw fuel black.

I had '02 650 P and sold with 4K miles and this above worked for me.

Good luck.

 

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How did you you like your 02 prarie? Was it reliable? Other than this what other problems did is give you? What the hell is sea foam, and where can I get it?

 

I loved the Prairie, wish I hadn't sold her.
The only problem was belts, it was one of the first 600 produced and they had a hardness problem
with the front clutch shives. After three belts in 3000 miles I figured out a dangerous way to sand
the shives on front clutch. I put sanding blocks on a 1" x 1" x 12" piece of oak and sanded shives with
clutch cover off with engine running. Sanded until smooth and even with different grits of paper.

Oh another thing, the seat has two latches under it not one. If you don't get both hooked, sooner or
later the plastic will break aroung the battery. My was fixed under warranty.

Seafoam is a fuel additive and stablizer all in one. I buy it from local auto parts store.
I used Castrol syntec 5/30 with about 4 ounces of Lucus oil stablizer, also from parts store.
Never any oil usage or blow by.

I changed my oil about every 300-500 miles depending on riding.
had my valves checked at 1000 miles and check them again 2 more times, they were always fine.
The service manual states to check them yearly.

I pulled a 60" Trailmower with the Prairie for 2 years. Pulled a 4500lb Boat around the property with her too.

Took it to California Sand Dunes at Glamis twice, Colorado 2 times without rejetting. Road Ozarks woods and forest.
Looking to buy a '06 650 Brute Force solid axle this year.

 

Don't think the U.S. Models have the primer bulb. If your plugs are black try turning in your Mixture screw 1/4 turn & see if it helps. Go with a synthetic oil, especially in the winter. Last but not least, 02's were nortorious for weak choke plunger & choke plunger springs. If your carbs have ever flooded after leaving the gas on definately replace your plungers and choke springs & lube your plungers or just get a newer throttle cable assembly that comes with the new plungers and springs.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

02's were also hard to start due to ignition timing not at the optimum. I got a Dyna FS CDI and miy 02 starts fairly easy. Full choke, gas on, & crank it till it fires. During the cold months either cranke it a couple times a month and or put a battery tender on it. Weak battery will also make it hard starting.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]