I had so many problems today with the cannibal. i rode it a little bit and came to check on it and the chain slider(about 1 hr. on it) had already worn about 3/4 of the way through and my chain had enough grease on it. okay, so i figure screw it i haven't ridden this thing in 3 weeks because of the fugging chain slider so i am going to ride it. i get on it and floor it down the trails, and about 5 mins later i am walking home covered in antifreeze going to get the arctic cat to pull it back. i pull it back and put more antifreeze in it and don't experience the problem again(so far). i found out the reason for my backfiring, the bolts on the header pipe were loose, so i tightened them about 10 times and they still won't stay!!! they are hot as hell, do you think lock tight will work on bolts that are that hot? anyways at the end of the day i went to put it up and i saw the brack light had broken off! i didn't wheelie any today so i have no idea how this happen! maybe i got a lemon. anyways, i called my dealer and he told me the same thing knowsalot told me, which was mine used to be a fx400. i don't think it was very smart(or legal) to refurb the fx400s and sell them as cannibals at regular price...

 

I have a question for you. where is the coolant coming from? I know nothing about Cannondale engines, but I know on some heavy equipment, spewing coolant is a bad thing.

Take of your radiator cap when the engine is COOL. Start the quad and let it warm up. Look in the radiator when it gets warm. Rev the engine. If there is any sign of air (bubbles), your quad could be in serious trouble. It might have a cracked head. What I mean is, on the compression stroke, it pushes air into the cooling system, thus overpressurizing the radiator, causing the cap to release and spew coolant.

BTW, a cracked head doesn't always mean that there will be water in the oil, or steam at the exhaust.

Just some ideas. Like I said, I know nothing about the way these engines are made, but it's worth a look.

 

dude if you really have this many problems and you do everything you know to keep it up and aren't just trashing the hell out of it all the time then sell it for next to nothing just to be done with it and ride the cat til you can get you something else. why keep dealing with the thing if you really did just happen to get a lemon?

 

In all my years, I have never seen a quad or motorcycle regardless of engine size or type that was found to have a cracked head.

 

KNOWSALOT,

I didn't know if it happened or not. Anyway, you're looking past my initial objective. Taking the time to perform the test might keep Pronto Pup of this message board for a few hours! LOL

 

Poor CornHolio.

 

LMAO!! This forum has turned into a soap opera.

Oh, Just for the record Blackbird, In case it seemed like it, My post wasn't to discredit what you said. I was just stating that I haven't seen it.

Corndog, There is nothing illegal with Cannondale selling FX's as Cannibals. They only "converted" the ones that weren't registered.

AND it's not illegal to sell the refurbished ones because they are telling you they are refurbished when you buy them. Buying used is completly different anyway. Cannondale has nothing to do with a quad being sold used.

It's obvious that ALL your problems are due to lack of maintenance. You gave it away by revealing that you had loose bolts. If they are stripped and wont tighten, you have rideen it so long with them loose that the threads are most likely non-existant. Check over your machine EVERY ride.

The brake light most likely fell off from results of a previous crash and finally giving way. That. or maybe you are just now knowing that it is gone.

 

I've had zero problems so far with my refurb Cornhole. Just like Knowsalot said, it's due to the lack of maintence. This think is a race machine. It's not meant for a 14 year old kid who wants to ride,ride,ride,ride with all his buddies and never turn a wrench on it. You need to sell that thing and buy a 400ex. You'll be happy with it.

There's nothing I like better than a night in the garage with the tunes on and working on my quad. that's how I spell relief....

 

this bike is a pain in the a$$ to work on. that z400 looks sharp.

 

God, why does this dude get such a nice quad, just to trash and I get nothing??????? Ok that isn't entirely true, and I sounds like Corndog, so I'll shut up now. Corn, I'll give you the price of shipping plus $50 with all the problems you supposely have with it.

By the way, jcv400ex, I agree with you. Stereo, wrenches, and a motor, that to me is like Weed to a hippie!