My atv runs great all the time but can be very difficult to start after a few weeks of not being used. It sat for about a month in the garage & wouldn't start when I tried. Cranked & cranked. It is a fuel issue for sure because when I poured a little fuel in the carb it would start & run till it burnt off that fuel. I did this 3-4 times and it seemed to then get fuel & run fine. It can sit for a week or 2 and its fine but longer than that and it just doesn't get fuel.

I just install a new plow (60" glacier) and man will these things plow. Sweet

Oh edited for this 04 sportsman 400

 

Weird, haven't had a single problem with my Honda Rincon.

 

he wasn't asking about the Honda Rincon....

Sounds like you are not getting fuel to the carb or you have bad gas....how many miles do you have on it.....check your fuel filter, it may be clogged, run down to the dealer and get a new one and install it.....check your spark plug also...

dave

 

there is about 500 miles on it. I'll check out the filter. It seems that maybe the fuel is evaporating from the carb and will not suck it up properly after drying out but once it gets fuel its fine. Is this a strictly gravity type fuel system?

 

Is this a strictly gravity type fuel system? Is there any thing else to go wrong? I went out an got a new filter and fuel flows freely through the new and the old so I don't think that was it. The fuel wasn't very old and it runs fine on it, it just won't start after sitting.
I know nothing about the fuel system and carb on this thing. Would something be sticking in the carb? Drying up and not moving like it should? I dunno.....Maybe just start it every week or two is the answer

Anyone have any ideas?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] or ideas on starting it [when it won't start] to trouble shoot the problem?

Thanks

 

There is an fuel pump under the left side front fender.

 

hahahahahaha u crack me up [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img]

 

My neighbour had a similar problem with his 2004 sp400 last week. The quad had been sitting for a month or so and would not start easily with or without choke. I ran this by a couple of buds who have 2000 sp500's and suprisingly they had a solution. Apparently , there is a vent hose from the carburetor which runs down by the frame rails and can be accessed by removing the seat. They told me that when they have this problem they pull up the hose and blow into it. The quad then starts right up. They went as far as to suggest that if you ever ran out of gas you might burn up the starter trying to get the thing refired ( obviously after replacing the gas) but it won't start easily until you blow into that vent hose. Hope this helps. It only takes a few seconds and is certainly worth a shot.

 

Thanks, I will take a look for this hose & try it when needed. It sounds funny but may be the answer as it will not start when this happens. It sounds alot easier than my method of pouring fuel into the carb.