We have a bone stock 2005 LT50 (2 stroke) we bought just a few weeks ago and that brought me to this forum. I've learned a lot about these little quads and posted some info as well.

What seems to be a common theme is turning off the fuel has seemingly been the fix for quite a few issues.

I would REALLY like to know the exact mechanics as to why this seems to be a problem on these little quads?

I've had "adult" quads and bikes for 20 years and have NEVER had an issue with flooding because the petcock is left on...have never turned them off.

What is different with these little quads? Does anyone have some direct information from an owners manual, or service manual, or a TSB that says to turn off the fuel everytime you shut down the engine?

In the few weeks we've had our LT50 we leave the petcock open...just because I always have on all my other stuff...and it always starts just fine after sitting. Makes me think something "wears out" in the fuel system over time. But, then again, people say they have rebuilt/replaced carbs and replaced petcocks and the issue persists.

Just a very interesting, and seemingly reoccuring, problem.

Thanks to anyone with some good hard facts.

 

Ok, this is what I found out.
The petcock is vacuum operated except in the prime "pri" setting. The pri setting is operated by gravity. You use the pri whenever the avt has been setting for a long time to where the gas in the carb has evaporated. Once you have it running you switch it to the on position (vacuum operated). I read you do not need to switch it off per say.

 

Ahhh, "vacuum operated petcock" I think says it all. Vacuum operated anything is definately an opportunity for a problem.

So, when people have an issue with this they should be looking for a vacuum leak.

Makes a TON or sense now.

Thanks for the reply in my other post as well.

Thank you much.

 

LOL..The great petcock debate..
If the vac leaks, it'd shut the petcock.
Float incorrectly set? But some you cannot adjust..
Float needle and or seat wore?
How about the hydraulic weight of the fuel pushing past the needle?
I like the hydraulic weight theory personally.

My exact reason is:: We are too lazy to shut em off! Christ had to shut the fuel off on his bike<EG>. Now for some reason, since the 80's and 90's, we can't figure out how to shut the fuel off and eliminate flooding problems.
So you and I leave em on..We're lucky. We also have 4x the float area to hold the needle up.