The rig belongs to my father-in-law. He was using it while performing security rounds at a fair and said the rig was running fine. He stopped to fill it with gas, shut it off with the key, and when he went to restart it, it just turned over and would not run. I have looked at it myself and can't seem to find anything wrong. Hopefully someone can give me some new ideas. I have dumped and cleaned out the gas tank as well as the carburetor, checked and replaced the spark plug, checked and adjusted valve clearance. I have noticed while trying to start it that if you give it full throttle, it will start to backfire through the exhaust. Please help, Thanks.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

well, u say that u checked and replaced the plug. Are you getting a strong spark? The backfire at WOT indicates that there is spark in the cylinder but is it occurring while the exhaust valve is open? if so then possibly a timing chain/belt.
did u check the fuel filter/screen?

 

My first thought was that some trash had gotten in the tank from fueling up, so I removed the tank and flushed it and the screen thouroughly. I also removed the bowl from the carb and cleaned it as well as the float and needle. I have had the covers removed from the valves and checked\adjusted them,and checked the timing chain and tensioners. The timing chain was tighter than I would have thought but seemed to be in good shape and too tight to slip a tooth without doing some damage.

 

Just curious if you figured out why your kodiak 400 wouldn't start, mine just started to do the same exact thing. If so could you please E-main me at davdre@gmail.com. Thanks

 

Mine did the same exact thing turned it off and never would restart. Come to find out that the woodruff key on the crankshaft that holds the rotor in place was sheard off. Now I replaced it and trying to retime the damn thing. will keep posting new info as i go.You will need a wheel puller to remove and you might be surprised to see it sheard off.

 

help

 

My 2000 kodiak 400 keeps backfiring through the carb. Timing mark are on the money and while trying to start it timing light shows it to be perfect but still backfires through the carb. What am I missing it was running fine until a sheard key on the rotor after replacing and re timing the bike it wont start just backfiring. What could it be

 

Recheck the timing marks, to make sure it sint a tooth off. While youre at it, make sure the valve clearance is correct.