ATV Connection

bg2112 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2010, 10:36 AM

I recently bought a 2003 Atric Cat 400 4x4 and it was running fine when I bought it, all it needed was a battery. I put a new battery in it and it starts and idles fine and runs good until it warms up. When you give it gas it sputters and back fires but when I put the chode on about halfway it seems to run smoother when you're on the throttle but it won't idle. I'm not sure that its related to the battery or not. I'm thinking its a fuel issue but not sure. I'll check the fuel filter and drain the tank if I have to this weekend but just wondering in anyone had any suggestions.

Fossil · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2010, 01:36 PM

You should pull your carb apart and make sure the jets are clean and that there is no crud on the float needle or seat.

cupsz71 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2010, 01:40 PM

CLEAN THE CARB.

Bad/old gas will varnish up the insides of the carb itself and crap from the fuel tank will plug up the jets.
If the machine has not been used for a while, or it's NEVER been cleaned - it's due.

I'd start by running some SEAFOAM thru the fuel system and replace your fuel filter (if it has one- if not add one)

It's not that hard to do, just take your time and pay close attention to how the carb comes apart so you can put it together again. Also be mindfull that the screws are SOFT and strip easily.

my .02¢

Good luck!

mudslinginfool · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2010, 03:48 PM

might as well change the plug too. cheap, and it may have never been done. go with ngk plug,not champion.

bg2112 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2010, 01:27 PM

Thanx for the input. I took a better look at it and it looks like fuel is leaking from the bottom bowl so I'm going to do a rebuild. Are the carb rebuild kits for the Suzuki EIGER 400 the same as the arctic cat 400?

Kerbbirds · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2010, 03:00 PM

iF fuel is leaking out of bottom it needs a needle and seat in the carb, not sure what comes in the kit but usually if you just clean the carb and jets good, replace the needle and seat all should be OK.

nascarfan39 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2010, 02:10 PM

On my 96 454 4x4 ac there is a fuel filter under the sleeve for the float needle. Mine has clogged twice. Makes for rough running and machine dies out cuz it's starving for fuel.

bg2112 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-14-2010, 11:50 AM

Turns out it wasn't even leaking from the bottom bowl on the carb but from a cracked fuel line that made it look like the bowl was leaking. So I replaced that and took the carb apart and cleaned it out anyway since I had removed everything to get to it and but it all back togather and it runs great. I'll be taking it out to PA to give it an all day test run.