I moved, and my quad sat for a while.('05 kodiak 450) I drained the oil and left it empty, without refilling it, and the drain plug was off for a month in my garage. I just recently added oil , tried to put it in reverse, and it just started backfiring and sputtering. Also, when in NEUTRAL, the mph's rev up and down with the throttle?! It will only move in reverse when in 4wd, and it seems fine when I ride it in forward. What is wrong with it? It seems like maybe something is slipping or maybe something is sticking? I am baffled. If I knew what you guys know, I probably would have an answer. So I need advice...did something rust while the drain plug was out? Are some plates or belts slipping? I put 10-w-30 oil, (non-synthetic.) What is wrong with this mama? She has like 14 hrs on it.

 

Ok, I solved it finally. I was happy to find out that the whole problem was the battery. I knew it was dead, but had no idea that my quad would act totally wacky if i just pull-started the thing. It would not go in reverse in two-wheel drive, the MPH guage would freak and go to 30 miles per hour when i was in neutral standing still....I put the new battery in and it all went away. Weird. I guess the battery has to power some of the electrical stuff even AFTER its started. I though something rusted inside and screwed it all up. I'm pretty relieved actually.

 

You might want to check and make sure that the oil you put in is compatible. Even though your problems went away you could be headed for more if the oil is the wrong kind.

 

remember, only use JASCO approved oil for wet clutch systems. YamaLube.

 

Hey, thanks. As far as the oil is concerned, I made sure it was a NON synthetic oil, and not a blend. Is that what you mean?

 

So how many hours are on your Kodiak? Awesome quad, no? I used the hitch for the first time and dragged my trailer around the property. Now all I am missing is a farm and hay-bales to move!

 

There a good machine and the mechanic at my local dealership just serviced one with over 30,000 km's (18,750 miles) on it.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

I had to do a double take on that one because I could not believe it had that many miles on it. I thought my friends Big Bear had a lot at 11,000 km's.

 

no, it can not be an automotive oil. the JASCO approved oils have the needed additives to ensure proper operation of the "wet clutch" that most ATVs use. the wet term is that the clutch is encased in the crankcase and is lubricated/cooled by the same oil that circulates through the engine. i have heard of people running Shell Rotella 15w40 in quads, but personally i would never try that. if it is a Yamaha, goto the stealership and buy the YamaLube. it is about 16 bucks a gallon or 4 bucks a quart give or take a few cents. they do make synthetic YamaLube as well.

Valvoline makes an ATV oil and so does Pennzoil, but finding it in stock somewhere would be a headache. i have only seen it on the companies websites and never in the stores here.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: 450kodi750gsxr250kx

So how many hours are on your Kodiak? Awesome quad, no? I used the hitch for the first time and dragged my trailer around the property. Now all I am missing is a farm and hay-bales to move!</end quote></div>

Here is mine on my trip to Utah. We rode out to a nice spot and went camping for a few days.

 

Really? I will have to drain that oil then...The manual was not clear on that, it just said to use good oil. Thanks for the tip. Could any damage have been done? I put like a half-hour on it just moving it around. Thanks!