I have an 88 250 that was until recently running like a champ. Still runs great if you can get it started.

Problem started when we ran it all day in the snow. Cranked and ran fine all day. My daughter parked it in the yard that evening. When I went to put it up it would not start. Ended up pulling it off. When it cranked it ran rough and smoked for 30 secs and then ran great.

Cranked up next day, Ran all day. Cranked everytime. Went to put it up and same deal. Pushed it in garage. Next day had to drag it off. Same deal, rough for a minute then ran fine. Out it in the buliding and now it won't crank.

New Battery, spark plug and gas. Tried jumper cables, starter fluid, and new battery. Nothing. Has to be pulled off.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Is it turning over ok, and I would check for water in the fuel.

 

Did leave that part out. When it is doing this it doesn't turn over as freely as it does when it is working fine. Almost like dragging. New battery and jumper cables don't make a difference. I have not changed out the gas. Will try that. Just odd that it runs like a scolded dog when you get it cranked and does fine all day.

 

When it is turning over slow, you need to do a voltage drop test, you problably have a bad connection somewhere. More or likely on the ground side.

 

Took 4wheeler to my small engine guy and he fixed it in 10 minutes. Valves needed to be adjusted. Wouldn't build enough compression using the starter or pull string. Starts and runs like it is brand new.