HUNTINGMAN Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 I got a 2004 Honda rancher 350 that isn't starting. It was starting fine and then I went out one day to start it up and it wouldn't start. I thought it was the plug so I put a new one in it. It still won't start,it's getting gas because it backfires and smells like its flooding out,just seems like its not getting any fire to it or something. I don't know anything about working on atv's so any help would be greatly appreciated,if I can't get it going this week then it's going to the shop next week when I get some days off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS whitetail Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 If I get a chance tomorrow, I will ask a freind of mine who works on this stuff and try and get an answer for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 i think maybe a jet in the carb could be plugged. it doesn't take much and can happen suddenly. carefully take the carb off and clean out the jetting holes with carb cleaner. you can even blow into the holes or put thin wire through them to do so. make sure your air filter is clean too. right now grown up fields and grasses are going to seed. also in some areas it's really dry and dusty right now from lack of rain. your air filter will get plugged up with seed and fuzzy stuff or dust/dirt in no time. without a good air to fuel mixture that'd cause combustion your atv can get flooded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhunter97 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 speaking of rain we have had 4 days of steady thunderstorms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 It still won't start,it's getting gas because it backfires and smells like its flooding out,just seems like its not getting any fire to it or something. May be time to take the carb off and clean it. Sounds like your float could be stuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OKstate Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 I have a similar problem with a 350 yamaha big bear...... ive tried cleaning the carb and took it back to the dealer, its still running rough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 I've had a few problems with my 04 Polaris 700 lately. I took it to a repair shop to have the carb gone through to find out the front rubber boot that goes to the carb was dry rotted. Also, there was a seal that goes between the engine and the exhaust had rusted away. Once I replace those, it ran great. I ran out of gas last week and think something got sucked into the carb again... it's back at the repair shop as I don't have the patience to work on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 I am not a mechanic and make no claims to be, just work on my own stuff. Just my opinion fwiw, ethanol is destroying small engines and may be to blame for your problems. If you have a station that has regular unleaded ethanol free, it is well worth paying a little more for it and using in all your small engines rather than the ethanol crap that is breaking down. My 2004 honda 450 got to where I was rebuilding the carb every year, sometimes more than once a year taking it apart and recleaning it. Had the same problem with our tiller too, rebuilding the carb every year despite running all the gas out of it at the end of the season. Always the same problem, it would flood and eventually get to where the float would stick and gas would pour out. Been running ethanol free gas since last fall and seems to have solved the problem. Have heard some additives help, but have not tried them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 i've been told that if you use STABIL, or any gas conditioner over the summer or winter when you store them, that you'll need all new gaskets as the stabil eats them for lunch. maybe that's the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HUNTINGMAN Posted June 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Thanks guys,I think I'm just going to put it in the shop and get the whole thing gone through. I want it to be dependable for the up comeing hunting season and just incase I want to go trail ridding. I'm hopeing it's something simple,if it's not I'm gonna get it running and put a for sale sign on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultradog Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 (edited) Always, always start with spark. Pull a plug wire and VERIFY that you have a bright bluish white spark that will jump a good 3/8" Short or yellowish spark will not do. Requires no tools to check. Only then go on to the other two sides of the triangle required for combustion - air and fuel. Doesn't matter if it is new or old, a 1 cylinder engine, 12 cylinder engine, 2 stroke, 4 stroke, air cooled, water cooled, etc. Start by checking your spark [ATTACH=CONFIG]12079[/ATTACH] Edited June 27, 2012 by Ultradog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 I thought it was the plug so I put a new one in it. It still won't start,it's getting gas because it backfires and smells like its flooding out,just seems like its not getting any fire to it or something. I don't know anything about working on atv's so any help would be greatly appreciated,if I can't get it going this week then it's going to the shop next week when I get some days off. Kinda took for granted you checked for spark with my reply. Ultradog could be right, would definitely check if you have not before taking it to a shop and paying labor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 i've been told that if you use STABIL, or any gas conditioner over the summer or winter when you store them, that you'll need all new gaskets as the stabil eats them for lunch. maybe that's the problem. Ethanol in fuel nowadays eats hoses and gaskets. Ethanol makes fuel unstable and corrosive. I won't recommend STABIL. But I will recommend STARTRON enzyme fuel treatment. It really helps everything I put it in. Even my truck! If you're not getting spark. Take out the battery and take it with you to get it tested when you get a new plug. Lots of autoparts stores have a battery tester. Just a voltage check isn't enough of a test. It's possible to have a battery that registers 12V that still doesn't deliver enough cranking amps. That's why they also check the cranking amps the battery can still deliver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Kinda took for granted you checked for spark with my reply. Ultradog could be right, would definitely check if you have not before taking it to a shop and paying labor. yea i read the "new plug" and assumed that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deer slayer Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Clean the carb it's prolly all gummed up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad dryden Posted June 30, 2012 Report Share Posted June 30, 2012 Well if you cleaned the plug my next step would be to hit it with either to see if it fires. If it does then it could be a fuel issue or maybe your chock cable is stuck and its not letting it fire properly. I have seen where engines get flooded before and do this....But worse case scenario you have a dead cylinder and not getting comprssion like you should. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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