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Posted by: MikeCer
well if you have a
2001-98 Bearcat 400 2x4 . . . . . . . . Autolite # 4303 ----gap .028
Posted by: Bear4570
Whatever the manufacture recommends. In your case NGK CR6E. That's straight from the service manual. Now that said I am a great proponent of Champion spark plugs, however I put one in my 2001 AC250 and it ran about like it did with the old NGK plug, not very well. Installed a new NGK and it was like a new engine. So the when a manufacture designs an engine, they use a certain plug during the design and testing and they usually run better with the recommended plug.
Posted by: Bear4570
Thomar, No, not from a dealer. Any auto parts store should have the plug and for a lot less than any ATV dealer. You should also be able to get a gapping tool at the auto parts store for a couple of dollars. It will probably be round, twice the size od a 50 cent piece Have an edge that is tappered. I'm sure the counter guy would gladly show you how to do it. The gap should be .024 to .028". Closer to .024" is best.
The last time we were down ther in October we came into the Paulina Caldera from the east side on our quads. A 7000 foot pass, it was unbelievable and Fort Rock looks real cool from that side of the mountain. The wife and I are planning on retiring around Crescent in a year or two because we really like the area. I've going there for about 50 years now. First time over we camped at East Twin Lake back when there were only logging roads, no power and tent camping only.
Posted by: Bear4570
Quote
Originally posted by: lownrangr
I know I'm not Bear, but you can get plugs from any powersports dealer. Also, new plugs must always be gapped. Never let anyone tell you that they come gapped, they don't!!
This above statement is not true, plugs come gapped, but not necessarily for your application. I have install thousands of plugs and all of them were at like .030" or .035 or .060 or whatever the biggest buyer of that plug needs them set for.
Posted by: Bear4570
My race motors had 6 plugs for 100cid motor and 12 for the V6 2 liter motor (dual plugs and ignition system). I still have probably handle more plugs (more than a 1000 a year) in a year than you have ever handle. Hell I worked on motors for a living. And the factorys all gap plugs to within a spec'd range for some application. Like the Cat spec is .024 to .028". A Champion QL77JC4 are was gapped at .040 for years. Then Johnson and Evinrude, being the largest user of this plug, changed the spec to .030". They found rapid plug wear from the higher voltage required for the large gap and changed it to .030". Within 3 months the plugs were changed to .030. I never said that you shouldn't check the gap. But manufacturing specs will have them gapped in a certain range. Of course there's alway the one that gets drop etc.
Posted by: Bear4570
Quote
Originally posted by: garrett5462
well, it will run no matter what gas, but it would be better the put in suoer or premium. as i said, the fuel line is a black line that goes from the gas shut off to the carb, near the bottom of the carb. also, there should be a little lever near the top of the cynlinder, and if you press that down, it will make there be less compression and it is easier to pull. the lever is sort of hard to push down, so dont think yur breaking anything. the lever should be near where the spark plug is. good luck:-)
Thomar; Gas does go bad, it won't even smell like gas and the motor will no run. A year is to long for gas to sit without a fuel stablizer in it. Get rid of it. On the inside of the fuel shiut off valve you will find several black fuel lines. One goes to the carb. Pull it off the carb and route it to a container. Turn the valve to reserve and let the fuel drain until it won't any more. Reinstall the hose and put new gas in the tank. I would suggest premium this one time. Normally you should only run regular as the premium will make your engine run hotter. You still need to get the carb bowl drained. It you can't get the screw loose, the the carb needs to come off and the float bowl needs to come off. Clean the bowl out. Probably a good idea at this point. Also I don't believe the 400 has a compression release.
Posted by: Bear4570
Quote
Originally posted by: MNmudcat
I forgot about the handle bar switch. make sure it is on "run". I've for to turn that on a time or two Like bear said take the fuel line off from the carb put into a container and drain the old gas out and put new gas in.
MNmudcat is oh so right. That's why I never use that switch and disconnect them whenever I get the chance.
Posted by: Bear4570
Quote
Originally posted by: garrett5462
yes, as bear said, clean the float bowl and then try. i doubt that it is seized up, but do as mudcat said and try to pull it over with the plug out, or with the compression release on. the fuel line is a black line that goes to the bottom of the carb. take it off and drain the gas. u will have tot ake of a clip before the line will come off and it will probably be on the carb pretty good, if it has never been taken off before.
After the clamp is off, take a pair of pliers and rotate the hose in the nipple on the carb. After you rotate it is will come off easier and not tear up the hose as much.
Posted by: Bear4570
Quote
Originally posted by: lownrangr
There is no decompression release? What were they thinking?
They were thinking "only a fool would try to hand start a 400cc 1 lunger" would be my guess. Hell kick starting one isn't for 90 lbs weaklings.
Posted by: Bear4570
Quote
Originally posted by: thomar
Thanks to all of you. Sounds like I have my work cut out for me!! I will get out there today and dink around with it and see if I can at least get the gas drained. I have a friend here who has the same ride, just a couple years newer so maybe he can help me with the carb and that. I will keep you posted on how it goes.
Marla
By the way Bear, when growing up in Bend we had friends that lived in Cresent and we would go to their place and go hunting, walk right off their front porch, and back then you always got what you were looking for!!! Great country there. I hope you enjoy it.
Thomar; We have friends down there and already enjoy it everytime we visit. Yes the same deal with hunting, the National forest fronts his property on the westside and we have seen elk, deer, bear and even mountain lions from his deck while in the hot tub. It's too cool to believe in this day and age that you can still find that kind of thing.
Back to the motor, does is crank slow? Have you tried it with the spark plug out, is it alot faster? Could be a bad connection or solenoid or starter as if I remember right you replaced the battery. Make sure all the big connections are tight by loosening them and then tightening then down again. Use jumper cables to jumper around the solenoid and also to the starter. I have seen bad wire cause this without looking bad on the out side. Wires were corroded on the inside and until we cut them open you couldn' see it, this would be a last resort thing.
Posted by: Bear4570
Thomar; You have a PM and a regular e-mail.
Posted by: thomar
Hello-
What kind of spark plug do you recommend for a 2001 2x4 400?
Thanks
Marla
Posted by: thomar
Bear-
You would recommend I just get the plug from the dealer then? What about gapping which I don't understand, but have a friend who is willing to help me, does it have to be gapped? Thanks for you help, I don't have a manual, guess I better get one. Oh and buy the way I saw your pictures from when you went riding in Central Oregon. I grew up in Bend, love it there!!! Wasn't into quading at the time, but did a lot of skiing on Bachelor, camping up at the high lakes, East and Paulina, and also snowmobiled Paulina, Crane Prairie, all over in there. Beautiful country there. Thanks for your help.
Marla
Posted by: thomar
Bear or anyone else who cares!!!
Alrighty just changed my spark plug and still not turning over. Now I haven't drained the carb of the old gas. I talked to some guys here and they said "ah gas doesn't go bad...", well after a year isn't it pretty much water? dunno!! So shall we go back to square one of draining the carb? New battery, new spark, old gas, HELP. Trying to do this myself and I am a pretty handy woman if I do say so myself!!! I want to get this thing fired up so we can start riding before the heat starts down here. Thank you all for your replies and help.
Marla
Posted by: thomar
Thanks Gabe & Garrett-
OK to answer your question new battery and I bought a tender so that's on it now plugged in all the time. So it's new and fully charged, better be. Gabe I will try the new gas thing, someone said they always run premium through their toys that way if it sits for a while the gas doesn't break down to nothing! I will try that though. Would you recommend draining the tank now? There is little less than a half tank. It just won't turn over fully.
Posted by: thomar
Quote
Originally posted by: garrett5462
if it wont turn over fully and it is only trying and it is real slow then it is usually a low battery. if the quad has been sitting for a while then i would drain the tank and out in fresh gas. also, check the oil level.
I thought putting the tender on the battery which is new is to eliviate any problems. I can't pull start it, compression way to high and I am not that strong. Where would I find the gas tube to drain the old? And do you put premium in or just regular with an octane booster as someone has suggested? Thank you all for your help, we'll get there!!!
Posted by: thomar
Thanks to all of you. Sounds like I have my work cut out for me!! I will get out there today and dink around with it and see if I can at least get the gas drained. I have a friend here who has the same ride, just a couple years newer so maybe he can help me with the carb and that. I will keep you posted on how it goes.
Marla
By the way Bear, when growing up in Bend we had friends that lived in Cresent and we would go to their place and go hunting, walk right off their front porch, and back then you always got what you were looking for!!! Great country there. I hope you enjoy it.
Posted by: thomar
OK boys here's my play by play. I am so excited I FINALLY found my gas line got the gas tank drained. HOLY MOLY did I have some gas About 2 1/2 gallons +, so now I am going to go get some new gas, super? premium? just to get it through, if that doesn't do it, then it's carb time, but I will have to wait for help with that. Aren't they tricky in the sense there are a lot of springs and such? Just wanted to thank all of you for your help.
Marla
Posted by: thomar
OK- new gas is in. I can now get it turned over and it spits and sputters a bit, but will go. BUT when I push on the throttle it dies on me. Is that because it's been so long? Also where my gas line enters the carb, there is a black plunger that pulls in and out, my choke like all the others is up on the left hand , so what is that some other gas flow regulator? Not sure, if you know let me know. So I am still at it, but making head way. Can't thank you enough for all your help and it's so beautiful out here right now, great riding weather
Posted by: thomar
Quote
Originally posted by: garrett5462
if u just take off the carb to clean it there shouldnt be many springs...
Thanks Garrett
Bear actually sent me the specs and all that to tear the thing apart and clean it and put it back. SOOOOOOOOOOOO hopefully that will do it. We plan on doing that tomorrow, Saturday so I will keep you all posted.
Marla
Posted by: Catterman
Quote
Originally posted by: thomar
Bear or anyone else who cares!!!
Alrighty just changed my spark plug and still not turning over. Now I haven't drained the carb of the old gas. I talked to some guys here and they said "ah gas doesn't go bad...", well after a year isn't it pretty much water? dunno!! So shall we go back to square one of draining the carb? New battery, new spark, old gas, HELP. Trying to do this myself and I am a pretty handy woman if I do say so myself!!! I want to get this thing fired up so we can start riding before the heat starts down here. Thank you all for your replies and help.
Marla
Hey Marla, does the ATV turn over and just not fire or doesn't it turn over at all??? Maybe try hooking some jumper cables to it! Here is what I would do, don't know if it is right or not but it always worked for my snowmobiles. Put new gas in gas tank (now always remember to use fuel stablizers next time!) then take out the spark plug, put a table spoon of fuel down the hole, put spark plug back on, and it should fire right up. It might start, then die a few seconds later, but after 3-4 times of doing this our old snowmobiles always stayed running then. God bless and Good luck!!!!
Posted by: MNmudcat
The 01 400 4x2 does not have a decompression lever. First try the simple things, When you turn the key on is the "N" light on? and is the fan running? (the fan allways is running with the key on). If the engine still isn't turning over try taking the plug back out and them pull the rope to see if the engine will turn. If not the rings rusted to the walls (not likely). But give that a try. Good luck.
Posted by: MNmudcat
I forgot about the handle bar switch. make sure it is on "run". I've for to turn that on a time or two Like bear said take the fuel line off from the carb put into a container and drain the old gas out and put new gas in.
Posted by: MNmudcat
That black plunger is the primer for the carb.
For mine I only have had to use it is when its below 30 degees cold starting it., 2 - 3 pulls to get a little gas into the intake and full choke and it fires right up. when it is still warming up mine will spit and sputter (backfires) but once it warmed up its fine.
Posted by: lownrangr
I know I'm not Bear, but you can get plugs from any powersports dealer. Also, new plugs must always be gapped. Never let anyone tell you that they come gapped, they don't!!
Posted by: lownrangr
I'll go through a couple sets per season on my racing jet ski (a suzuki 1100 triple) and I think every plug, NGK BR9EYA, I buy has a slightly different gap right out of the box. So I don't think they're even gapped for any specific application from the factory because sometimes I'll have to adjust them a lot and others not so much. Just from what I see though.
EDIT: When I said that plugs don't come gapped, I meant they most likely won't be gapped for what you need them for, so don't just install them without checking them. Of course they are gapped to something. What I really meant is that the way they come from the factory is not (or almost never) consistant.
EDIT: now that I read this again, watch every new set of spark plugs I buy be gapped to the specs I need them!! Oh wait, something like that would never happen to me!
Posted by: lownrangr
If the fuel was sitting there for a year, I'd for sure drain the tank (like everyone else has said), as well as the entire fuel system, ie. all lines, reserve and main and carb. I would pull the carb apart and check the jets for gum and varnish deposits as you will probably have some build up on the internals. If the motor is turning over slow, there might not be enough juice to create a powerfull enough spark. I'd would 'flush and fill' the fuel system and hook up a known to be good 12v power source and go from there.
There is no decompression release? What were they thinking?
Posted by: garrett5462
does the quad have a new battery or a fully charged battery?
Posted by: garrett5462
if it has a pulll start try that, and if it doesnt even turn over, maybe try to pop start it with like a car or another quad?
Posted by: garrett5462
but that is if it is the starter or the battery low. but i dont know if it is seized up or anything. is it even turning over when u pull, hit the starter button?
Posted by: garrett5462
if it wont turn over fully and it is only trying and it is real slow then it is usually a low battery. if the quad has been sitting for a while then i would drain the tank and out in fresh gas. also, check the oil level.
Posted by: garrett5462
to drain the tank, you could either follow the fuel line to the carb and the turn off the gas, take it off at the carb and drain it or you could either take the line out right at the fuel shut off, but if u do that, the gas will come straight down, so it is sort of easier to drain it at the end of the fuel line so that you can kinda get it into an oil pan eaiser. either way will work
Posted by: garrett5462
well, it will run no matter what gas, but it would be better the put in suoer or premium. as i said, the fuel line is a black line that goes from the gas shut off to the carb, near the bottom of the carb. also, there should be a little lever near the top of the cynlinder, and if you press that down, it will make there be less compression and it is easier to pull. the lever is sort of hard to push down, so dont think yur breaking anything. the lever should be near where the spark plug is. good luck:-)
Posted by: garrett5462
yes, as bear said, clean the float bowl and then try. i doubt that it is seized up, but do as mudcat said and try to pull it over with the plug out, or with the compression release on. the fuel line is a black line that goes to the bottom of the carb. take it off and drain the gas. u will have tot ake of a clip before the line will come off and it will probably be on the carb pretty good, if it has never been taken off before.
Posted by: garrett5462
yes bear, the gas will go old, but what i meant was that she did not have to use premium because it will run with anything. she said should she get a high octain boost or premium fuel, and i was saying that she did not have to. and sorry about the compression release, didnt know that they didnt have one.
Posted by: garrett5462
mudcat and bear, i dont think that the engine cut switch is the problem because i think earlier she said that it was turning over, but really slow. but, im not quite sure. if it is turning over slow, it has to be a battery.
Posted by: garrett5462
if u just take off the carb to clean it there shouldnt be many springs...
Posted by: crumley
Most dealers or parts places have gap gauges ar a set of feeler gauges right at the counter. Have them check it for you or set it to the right spec.
