ATV Problem

[BackwoodsSaint]

Ok, so I hope it's ok to post this here, I'm having a problem with my 1984 Honda Fourtrax 350, it's very cold-blooded. Lately it's been getting cooler here (today was a high of 15) now usually I don't have to use the wheeler much in winter but we recently mounted a plow on it to create a rink out on the lake at the house.
My problem is this: it sometimes starts no problem, but when it doesnt start it just sits there and turns over, sometimes it fires and dies right away and nothing i do can help that, it sometimes works to flare off the spark plug and drain the carb, and sometimes doesnt, it's a fairly new plug, freshly re-done carb (this summer) and the whole fourwheeler has been gone through by a mechanic friend of ours, he can't figure out what's wrong or anything to help it start (we've tried trickle chargers and things like that) any suggestions?

Oh, and today i flared it off again and drained the carb- all that happened was a huge backfire...

 

[Explorin94]

Recheck the year again. I don't think Honda made a TRX350 in 1984.



1986 shows the earliest that it could be.

 

[BackwoodsSaint]

whoops, yeah it's a 1986, my bad

 

[JC 97]

In cold weather that you describe the spark plug can "glaze" over.What we used to do was change the plug with a clean,warm good one.We used a trx 300 with a plow also at the shop I worked at.If it is running rich, one of the reasons can be the slide needle.It can wear out.Which is in the carb slide.If you get the replacement it comes with a needle and seat.To replace you have to remove the carb so you may as well give it a good cleaning make sure all the jets are clean,idle jet and main jet and replace the air filter.

 

[BackwoodsSaint]

Thanks for the info- do you think it would be enough to just take the spark plug out everytime and leave it in the house where it's warm? I'd rather avoid doing anything else with the carb for now unless i have to

 

[JC 97]

I would get a spare.No need to leave the plug out and risk getting debris in the cylinder.If I remember right the carb choke is an enrichener.Sometimes the o-rings go bad causing hard starts.Either letting too much fuel in or not enough.The spark plug will tell you if it's rich or lean.

 

[BackwoodsSaint]

I think it's running rich- like i said, i have to flare off the plug almost every time i try to run it

 

[JC 97]

If the plug is black it is running rich.The needle and seat should take care of that problem.

 

[BackwoodsSaint]

well thanks

 

[wildbill23c]

My lawn tractor has been doing the same thing this winter, it will turn over until the battery dies and never even fire. I know part of my issue is the electronics controls on the engine. Yours should be old enough though that electronics wouldn't be a problem.

Clean your spark plug, check your fuel it may have water in it, add a bottle of heet gas treatment.

 

[Destroyer000]

good have any issue with a fuel pump? i believe those are electronic.. my buddies was doing the same sorta thing.. cleaned carb.. check this and that.. connecton at fuel pump was tight but had some corrosion and that ended up being the problem.

 

[crazypj]

I would get a spare.No need to leave the plug out and risk getting debris in the cylinder.If I remember right the carb choke is an enrichener.Sometimes the o-rings go bad causing hard starts.Either letting too much fuel in or not enough.The spark plug will tell you if it's rich or lean.

Not on a Kei-Hin carb, they use a choke flap.
Mikuni uses an enrichener.
Check the coil ground on frame and ALL the electrical connectors for corrosion
Check youdidn't put a pair of gloves or rag over air intake (I've seen it done)
If you have foam filter, they get old and don't pass air as efficiently (even go 'gummy' or powder when old)
Check engine oil level, too high and it blows out breather into filter not sure if that model has an oil level switch? (if level is low it won't start)
Blocked pilot jets are also real common if you don't use it for a few weeks