Morning all, just found this web site, everybody seems really cool. Guys I have a problem. I have a 1997 Polaris Sportsman 400 4x4 2 stroke, great machine. The other day I was riding my quad for about 2 hours straight in the woods, running great. All of a sudden, my quad just dies stops running out of no where. Just cruseing along in the woods and it just dies. I checked my fluids everything looks fine. Did not go through any water. When I tried starting it back, it acted like it was out of gas. I did use 93 octane gas but it ran for two hours straught no problem. A couple of days later my grandpa got the machine started by turning the fuel on/off/reserve handle on and off and so forth. He said it ran for about 5 minutes then just died on him like it was running out if gas. Do I have an air vent problem? Getting no gas? Spark Plug bad? Used the wrong kind of gas, 93 octane? Please help thanks!!!!!!!!1

 

The first thing I would try is a new spark plug, sound like it may be your problem. I usually carry an extra with me just in case. I have found that using the 93 octane does make them last longer, however I usually have to replace mine about once a year.

 

look into that fuel shutoff, if he was fooling with it........an idea

 

I did forget to say that my gas cap got busted some how while riding, does this matter? Thanks for the help.

 

Have you checked/replaced your fuel filter yet? It is located in line just above the carburetor, under the seat.

The fuel tank vent is located under the plastic covering the tank - it is a little fitting with a hose that runs up towards the handlebars - the busted fuel cap should not have anything to do with it. A good way to check for a plugged vent line is to run the bike with the cap off the tank.

The fuel valve will go out every once in a blue moon - try disconnecting the fuel line from the valve - install a temporary line on it that will reach outside the bike - then rotate the valve from on - off - reserve and measure fuel flow over a period of time - you should have a good steady flow in on or reserve. The replacement fuel valve is less than $20 and comes with a new gasket - you can check Partsland for the pricing.

 

When's the last time the top end was rebuilt...have you ruled that out yet? If not do a compression check. If it's under 100 it's Wiseco time. If you're still running on the original piston just hope the skirt didn't shatter on you. Good luck with it.

 

I have an atv that is a 93' Kawasaki and it doesn't start so great [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

Problem Solved. I drained my 93 octane gas out and put in 87 octane. Changed my fuel filter and spark plug. Runs perfect. so far so good.

 

one other thing keep extra sparks plugs with you when you ride sometimes they fouel up when you ride if you use polaris gold synthetic oil they won't it is the best i ran it in mine when i had an oil pump never fouled at all but it is 8$ a quart

 

xxxracerxxx did you mean the gold synthetic oil wont foul out my spark plug or the gold will foul out my plug...thx