Newarcher Posted February 24, 2006 Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Hello all, I have a 2000 Honda Recon. Up til now, I had no problems out of it. I only ride it now and then and I have only put about three tanks of gas in it. I had the first year service and haven't serviced it again. I recently parked it in the shed and haven't started it so the battery was dead. No problem, a couple pulls of the starter cord and it usually starts up and I can get it to recharge itself. Not this time. So I put it in the garage and pulgged it into the charger. The battery is back but it just doesn't want to catch or if it does, it lasts for maybe one second. I put new gas in it so I know it isn't out of gas. About three or four times, I got a loud backfire from it when trying to start it with the pull cord. Do you think maybe the gas that was in it was too old? Perhaps needs a spark plug or could have a clogged fuel filter? I definitely want to get it serviced but don't want to take it in there until I can get it started as they could say it needed just about anything. Thanks, New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted February 24, 2006 Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question Sounds like the carb needs a good cleaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AllArmyoutdoorsSD Posted February 24, 2006 Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question New, is it just me or are you having a lot of trouble with vehicles lately? I would pull the spark plug to check for fowling, How long has it been since the ATV was ran? sounds like you may have some bad fuel and that could have gummed up the carb, for relatively cheap you can rebuild it, the instructions are included in the kit, and as soon as you are finished get the thing serviced. The maintenance in the world is preventative maintenance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted February 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question Allarmy, Everything I touch lately seems to just go straight to ****...honestly speaking. It seems that my life is the proverbial stray dog for the world to kick. Nothing is working right and really at no fault of my own......just circumstances. Is the carb on a four wheeler easily accessed to work on it? This model doesn't have an external oil filter or plugs (I don't think) so it wouldn't surprise me if I didn't have to rebuild the entire engine to get at the carb. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AllArmyoutdoorsSD Posted February 24, 2006 Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question I don't know a lot about your particular ride, but generally there is an acccess cover that has to be removed, in order to get to the plugs, is your ATV fuel injected or is there a carb under the Air Cleaner? Is there a manual choke, if yes you most likely have a carb and should be able to service it easily, you may try running some carb cleaner through it first, just let it sit a while before trying to start it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted February 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question It definitely has a carberator and I know where the air filter is, so that should be easily fixed. It might be worthwhile to drain all the fuel...even though I just put in a couple gallons to make sure it is clean. I can also find the plugs and replace them and rework the carberator. I do not drive this enough. Each time I mow in the Spring, Summer, and Early fall I take it for a few laps around the yard and maybe even the street but that's it. I need to ride it more and this year I should be in a club and get to use it more. Thanks, New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AllArmyoutdoorsSD Posted February 24, 2006 Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question Definately drain the gas, run some carb cleaner through it, clean the plugs. then when you fill it up again put some gas additive in the tank as well, also if you have a shut off valve for the carb make sure that when it is parked to turn it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted February 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question I will pick up some carb parts and some plugs tomorrow. If I am taking the carb apart I might as well go ahead and replace the parts. I will drain the gas for sure....should have done that a long time ago but live and learn. Thanks for the help. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popgun Posted February 24, 2006 Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question Since "most" problems are electrical in nature, I'd have another good look at that battery. Every Motorcycle, Lawn Tractor, and ATV I have ever had, won't run good unless that battery is putting out all the juice it needs. ....popgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted February 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question Yeah popgun, I know what you mean. But other times when the batter was weak or dead I could start it with the pull rope and it would do fine. Plus, I have enough juice in the machine to try to start it for as long as I care to now that it is recharged. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question should have used "stabil" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unioncountyslayer Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question [ QUOTE ] should have used "stabil" [/ QUOTE ] This is a great product, I use it in all my mowers and my fourwheeler. Sounds like you may have some bad fuel. Also, you should have an idle control, you may want to play with that to keep it idling smooth so it doesn't cut off on you. Also, if you only ride it 3 times a year you may want to look in to selling it and buying a bicycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phaseolus (BeanMan) Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question Sounds like a flooded out plug. Change and gap it and the try to start it before messing with the carb. Since you let it sit for long period of time do use Stabil in the gas AND turn the fuel selector to OFF and let it run dry. That will solve any future issues with the carb. BeanMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricfirefighter Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question give up and send it my way lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question [ QUOTE ] Definately drain the gas, run some carb cleaner through it, clean the plugs. then when you fill it up again put some gas additive in the tank as well, also if you have a shut off valve for the carb make sure that when it is parked to turn it off. [/ QUOTE ] Most definitely follow this advice. Sounds to me most likely to be a carb or fuel problem. Another thing to consider. Honda bikes have a pretty complicated electrical system. I would strongly recommend getting a new battery, the right battery before making any further attempts to start the 4 wheeler. An improperly charged or wrong battery with too low of an amperage can and will fry the starter, the fuel relay, the fuel pump, and possibly the ignition system. These electrical systems are very expensive. In the future use stabilizer in your 4 wheeler when not using it and shut off the valve on the tank when it is not in use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question Before you try starting it any more drain and change the oil. You have probably contaminated it with raw fuel by now. Then drain the gas and refill it with fresh gas,and give it a try. I'd leave the carb work up to someone familure with them rather than attempting to do the work yourself. If you don't trust your dealer, find a new dealer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phaseolus (BeanMan) Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question When you turn your gas valve to off remember to let it run until it has used the gas in the lines and carb up and dies. Otherwise you are not accomplishing anything by just turning the valve to off. Beanman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted February 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question Okay, lots of good advice. Here's the skinny.....took the air cleaner off with the anticipation of taking the carb off and cleaning it....that was until I looked at the carb and it had a lot more lines and gadgets than my lawnmower's. I put the air cleaner back on. I went to the parts house and got a new spark plug, some incredibly overpriced oil, and some gear oil for the rear end. I changed the oil and the real end oil. Then I gapped the spark plug correctly and changed it (the old one was BLACK and soaked in gas). Put everything back together, hit the starter, and VROOM VROOM VROOM. Side note, on the Honda that foam which is less than 1/4 " thick that surrounds the air cleaner----$26.43. I let them keep it. I ran it a good bit yesterday and all is good again. I'm gonna let it trickle charge a little and then put it back in the shed. Lawn mowing season is coming up soon and every time I mow....about every 4-5 days, I get it out and ride the kids around on it. I bought it new in 2000 and serviced it in 2001 for the first and only time. I guess the spark plug could have been a wee bit overdue. I will see how it runs but I think that it is going to be fine without the $80 carberator work. As for stabil, use it religiously. I have a 5 gallon can and each mowing season I burn something with the leftover and add stabil and fill up the can. Thanks for the help, New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question Thanks for changing that oil.!! I have seen many good engines ruined because somebody thinks it's not that old. I should shut up. I make my living fixing things people don't maintain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted March 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Re: ATV trouble question I like to do good maintenance when I can. I just wish this honda had an external oil filter that would help maintain the life. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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