Hi I have a 2004 suzuki lt-z 400 i just bought and it has a couple problems. i was riding yesturday fine and todat when i went to start it the battary is dead so i charged it and it will start sometimes but will only idle for about 20 seconds or so and then stall out. i do sometimes get it going and then after like 100 feet down road it stalls no matter what speed im at. Does anyone know what could be the problems. i just bought it 2 days ago and everything was fine i thought. i started it yesturday mornin g in 20 degree temps. and it ran for 20-30 seconds then stalled when i gave it gas. Then i charged battary b/c it died and same problems. Any help would be great. thanks Mark...

 

I'd start wih a good carb cleaning.

 

How should i do that? should i bring into shop or is it not to hard to do myself? thanks again

 

You would have to remove the carb from the machine.
Maybe you have a friend that has done this before and can help.
It's no rocket science but if your not into wrenching, better find a shop.

 

ok and is that what u deffinelty think is why its not letting my machine idle and stay running

 

i dont have any experience with the z 400 myself but ive read a few posts on here with the same kind of problems your having, and both were caused by the flywheel bolts breaking off, so you might want to pull the stator/flywheel cover just to have a look, hope this helps

 

It's a good bet. Sounds like a plugged jet.
It could be many things but this where I'd start.

Hopefully you'll get more reply's like the last gentelmans to give you their ideas.
I'm not a Z400 expert by far.

 

Move your petcock to the p position and see if it runs better

 

My ltz 400 also does not have a vent tube on the gas tank. Is that another cause of the problem of not staying running. And where do I buy a vent tube for the gas tank? Thanks again

 

it sill vents w/o the tube. the tube is just so it wont slosh out the vent hole ont the tank. autoparts store will have tubing that size, just take you cap in a get a couple of feet. i believe the vacuum petcocks were an issue with the z400s. thats why i mentioned switching it to the p position, then it will flow freely