I have a relatively new 250 Honda utility 4 wheeler. Actually it is my wife's and she does not ride it much. Last started about a month ago and it ran fine. It will turn over until it runs the battery dead. Hits a few times and sputters out. I can not make it run. I cleaned the spark plug...no help.

What do I try next...sure hate to take it to the Honda $$$$$hop. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

SSSSSSSSsssssnake and the sputters

 

maybe too much gas is getting to the caburator?

 

How do I slow it down? That sounds like a carb problem and I haven't done anything to it. Any other possiblities that a non-mechanic can look at?

SSSSSSSSSsnake and the sputters

 

new gas? might sound stupid, but if the gas lays around to long it loses alot of octain.

 

Get a new plug. Most of the times cleaning a plug won't help a fouled plug. If not see if you are getting any spark

 

Pull the spark plug out, hook up the wire, and hold the body of the spark plug against the cylinder. Spin over the motor and look for spark. If you have spark...then you most likely have a carb problem.
If you have spark, put the plug back in and try starting by holding the throttle at a steady 1/4 throttle. This will by pass the idle circuit, and if it starts and runs at 1/4 throttle, but dies when you go back to idle...either the idle speed is too low, or it has a plugged up idle circuit. This is very common. The fix is to clean the pilot jet and blow out the crud in the carb.
If you know the quad is going to be sitting, for more than a couple of days, shut off the gas valve, and drain the carb float bowl. This will keep the gas from evaporating and leaving deposits in the small pasages in the carb.

 

Sounds like a plan. I'll try that. Does the carb have to come off in order to blow out the pilot jet?

SSSSSSSSSSsssssnake and the air compresson

 

Should be able to. Shut off the gas, and drain the float bowl. Loosen the tubes, both in front of the carb and aft. then you should be able to spin it 90 degrees, and get to the bottom of the carb. Remove the float bowl and take out the jets. Might as well clean them all.
Did you try starting @ 1/4 throttle. If it starts and runs, but dies when it goes back to idle, itll be the pilot jet plugged, or low idle speed. This will confirm that you are on the right track, before doing the carb cleaning.
heres some sites on carb cleaning.
carbclean
carb

 

same thing happened to me a couple of days ago. except i know there is a spark. and gas is getting to the carb. i too left my quad sitting for the whole summer, or longer. i did leave the gas on for most of that time it was sitting. i jus tposted a thread about my problem so u can find out more about it there.

 

I say drain the carb,clean the spark plug,put fresh gas, and start it with the manual start it will make more power to starting the engine