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Posted by: ricerocket
I know it sounds crazy but most cats are cold blooded always have been. probably always will be. I have always had the some problem in the winter i run the same tank of fuel almost all year. YOUR PROBLEM IS NOT THE CHOKE ITS THE STARTER. NEXT TIME TRY THE STARTER AND JUST CRANK IT OVER A COUPLE SECONDS WITH THE CHOKE FULL ON. THEN THE MAGIC PART PULL YOUR ROPE START AND IT WILL FIRE RIGHT UP WORKS GREAT EVERY TIME. AFTER IT WARM TURN OFF THE CHOKE AND IT SHOULD START FINE EVERY TIME AS LONG AS THE MOTOR IS STILL WARM. It seems the starter just cant turn the moter over fast enough. I used to get so pissed at my machine and in fact i ran the battery dead trying to start it so i just grabed the rope and it fired first pull. at that time i thought the motor would be so flooded. for once i thought my temper prevailed but then my batery wouldn't hold a charge anymore so i had to buy a new one. all is well now if the starter cant start it when its cold I just pull the rope and away it goes.
Posted by: mountainclimber
my fathers quad had old gas in it and we took the carb apart cause it wouldnt stay running and now it still wont run good when its cold. It runs bettter though but it stalls alot during starting.
Posted by: luvthemud
seems cats just start hard. as for the ebay cds, they are great. i got mine from ourkidzdad. highly recommended and the price can't be beat.
Posted by: TORK
Yes you have a choke but no primer. To fully choke unit you have to hold down lever not just put it on and leave it. You can feel a little spring pressure when you push down lever. 250 and 300's are generally easy starters. I would first make sure you are choking correctly and then check your valve clearances. Have known 250's to be fussy when valves are to tight and they seem to need it more often than other models.
Posted by: TORK
Almost forgot. Make sure your idle is not to high or your choke won't work properly.
Posted by: Hoopie
SInce its an 03 have you changed the spark plug? Also, does it have a maual choke on it and is it working? My 05 has a primer on it that helps it get started.
Posted by: mudslinginfool
if it has a choke you should only need to choke it for about 5 seconds after it starts(not giving it any throttle at all). then slowly push the choke lever up all the way. thats all i ever do with mine and it fires right up. no hesitations,and it did a real nice plowing the driveway as well. maybe change the plug. oh, at negative temperatures i need to prime it. good luck
Posted by: mudslinginfool
the choke is on the left handle bar. the primer is down by the motor on the right hand side on the carb(silver lever). in negative temps i need to prime three times and everything runs good. what size engine is yours? i dont think the 300s have them but i ithink the 400 and i know the 500 does.
Posted by: mudslinginfool
hmm... maybe i ended up getting a cheery.lol. my bike,2002 500i, has never had problems starting. ive never had to give it any throttle to get it going. the manual tells you not to. mine starts when its about 55-60 degrees and warmer without choking it. 40-55 dgrees i have to half choke it and under 40 i have to full choke for a few seconds or till it starts running rough. then when it starts running rough i slowly push the choke all the way up and leave it for about 5 minutes.
Posted by: mudslinginfool
ok i dont think there is a primer on a 250.
Posted by: mudslinginfool
yep you still have a choke lever. maybe try another dealer. if you bought the extended warrenty or still have the original warrenty you can take the bike to any arctic cat dealer.
Posted by: fieryscully
Hi there, I have a 2003 ac 4x4, its a great bike except for the starting problems she has. Seems I always have one heck of a time getting her going. I mean by time I get it running for plowing the driveway I could of shoveled the driveway by hand faster! I even had some trouble back in the summer starting her, not near as much as I do in the winter though. Its getting me down big time, I just bought a 2002 polairs scrambler back in the summer and it starts better than my cat does. Once I get the bike going though she seems fine. I really dont want to take it to my local dealer, mainly because they are the only one in my area and they take forever fixing something. I read through the one form where the guy was getting absoutly nothing not even lights by turning his key and did get some great ideas to try for my problem. But I figured I would post anyway just incase some one has some other ideas.
Also does anyone know if the cd repair manuals you can buy on ebay are any good?
Thanks
Posted by: fieryscully
Yea I changed the spark plug last year and as for a manual choke all I know is my choke is on the left side where the handle bars never seen a primer anywhere near there! Or are you talking about a choke down where the pull start is?
Posted by: fieryscully
I wish I only had to choke it for about 5 seconds! Wow that would be nice but no I have to keep the choke on for well I have never timed it but its longer than 5 seconds I can tell you and then even after I can keep it going I sometimes have to leave the choke on till she is really warmed up after riding for a bit!
Usually when I start her I have to pull the choke all the way back hit the iginition and depjress the throttle. I have yet to see her start without using the thorttle.
Ok where is the primer? Is it where the pull start is or am I missing something LOL.
Posted by: fieryscully
Mine is only a 250 4x4
Posted by: fieryscully
Im assuming I still have a choke leaver on my 250? And yes Im jealous u got a cherry!! LOL I know your not suposted to give it throtlle while choking it thats what kills me but its the only way I can get her going, guess I should of taken her into the dealer I got her from but there service is sooooooooooo slow I probaly would not see my bike till the summer! LOL And well me and the dog like to go for a good run in the snow on those nice sunny days!
Posted by: fieryscully
Cool thanks you mabye right I may not be choking correctly I will deffinitly give it a try.
