Looking for some help on this thing... it’s a 95 300 4x4 I got in the fall to use for ice fishing season. It was pretty rough when I got it but ran fine (albeit a little fussy in the cold, choke etc). I did a ton of work on it to get it ready for the winter, and got it running absolutely beautifully even in the bitter cold. I’d have to start it with the choke, warm it up for 5ish minutes, turn the choke off, and I was good to go. Did a handful of trail test rides before heading out in its first fishing trip, and it ran like a dream.

The list of work/new parts I put on it is:
-CDI
-Voltage regulator
-Battery
-Start Relay
-Starter
-Coil
-Fuel tank/cap/gauge
-Choke cable
-Carb rebuild kit (adjusted it to 2 1/8 turns)
-Adjusted valves to low end of spec in the manual
-All new fluids
-Master cylinder
-Brakes & Parking brake cable
-Front axle seals & boots
-Repaired/replaced/cleaned all electrical connectors, grounds etc

I figured parts are cheap & I’ve got plenty of time, so I didn’t want to leave anything to chance and get stuck out on the ice somewhere. Anyhow I trailered it up to Canada over Christmas (from central Illinois) went to start it for the first time on the trip, and got nothing. It ran for about 10 seconds with the choke on & died, and I haven’t been able to get it running ever since. Spent a few hours messing with it at the lake, then cancelled my trip & made the 14 hour ride back home.

I’ve been trying to get it going since I got back (bought a newer quad & just want to cut my losses) and still haven’t been able to. Bought a new carb (maybe I did something wrong in the rebuild?) installed it today and still nothing. I’ve got spark & fuel, most of the parts are new, and it ran absolutely perfectly before I went to Canada. I went through as much of the stupid stuff that might’ve happened on the trailer (electrical connection might’ve rattled loose etc) and can’t find anything wrong. Everything I can think of seems perfect, but it just won’t start. I’m about at my wits end with this thing... anyone have any suggestions, guidance, anything?

Pic for attention

 

As simple as it sounds, have you tried a new NGK plug since it ran last?

 

Not ngk specifically, but I have tried 4 different new plugs.

 

The next thing to check is compression. If it is low, check valve clearances. If they are OK and you have a good spark at a new plug and fuel in your new carb, about all that is left to check is timing. Check that the T mark on flywheel is when the piston is at TDC via a light down the plug hole, and that the T mark agrees with the mark on the cam sprocket, or the sprocket is 180 degrees out. If all that is OK, go back to the original carb, clean it out with compressed air through the jets, and put it back on.

 

Welp I finally got around to picking up a compression tester & checking this thing, and I’ve only got about 80lbs after 6-7 cranks. I’m guessing the top end is my next step unless I’m missing something?

 

i would check valve clearances next.

 

I set them when I did all the initial work, and rechecked to make sure. It’s .006” intake & .008” exhaust

 

Have you tried starting fluid/ether?

 

I have yeah... seemed to make absolutely no difference