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February 2012

December 2011

November 2011

Starting Woes
I've got a 1999 Yamaha 350 Warrior. After riding it for a while if I stall it or shut it off it doesn't want to start. It cranks over fine but seems almost like it's flooded. If it sits for 10-20 minutes, it fires up and runs fine. When it's cold, I can start it, shut it off and it starts every time. When I ride it, it runs great, sliding around corners of trails and up and over mounds. No flat spots, runs strong all the time. I checked the valves. The exhaust was .004. I set it at .007 and the intake at .003 thinking that was the reason for the starting problem when it was hot, but the problem is still there. New spark plug, set the float level, cleaned all the jets. The carb is stock, I think. It's a BTM36SH. Idles smooth, quick throttle response. The spark plug isn't running rich and doesn't appear to be to lean. I've tried the low speed mixture screw at 1 1/2 turns out, tried 2 turns and then turned it out to the smoothies idle. It runs strong, but still has the starting problem when hot. The carb has an enrichener valve, that I'm not to sure about. I don't know if this could be the problem. Any help would be great.

James

It sounds like you have attempted to cover the bases, but I’m not so sure the obvious might not be eluding you. Starting with your reasoning/guessing at the valve clearance adjustments, the valves are to be adjusted with the engine cold before you ride at all or even start the machine for the first time on ride day. According to Yamaha, the Warrior intake valve should be adjusted to 0.06-0.10mm and the exhaust should be at 0.16-0.20mm. Remember this is a cold setting. The base setting for the air/fuel mix screw is two turns out. The pilot jet on most all of the ATVs I have ever worked on were too small and this one should be 42.5, so I suggest going up two sizes for better overall performance off the bottom. Now assuming that everything is correct as you say, the next thing I would check is the compression of the engine. When the engine gets hot you could have a ring sticking or just a worn cylinder. If the problem persists after these corrections are made I would run the quad for about 10 minutes out through the trail and come back and immediately to check the plug for wet conditions. That will tell you where to go next. Oh, plugs are hot after the ride so wear gloves when removing it from the cylinder.

Bayou Question
Hi, do you know what years parts are the same on the 220 bayou? I'm needing front plastic, front bumper, head lights. I don't know the year that I have, the bike is not at my location, and I never looked at the vin (10th digit) It's blue, I think late 80's? also will the old moto 4 wheels bolt up to the 220? Thanks, Tony.

Anthony

The Kawasaki Bayou KLF220 remained almost the same vehicle from 1988 to 2003, and the higher displacement KLF250 is basically the same machine as well. Yamaha Moto4 wheels varied from 4-156/4-125/4-110 lug patterns, and the Kawi Bayou 220 had patterns of 4-137/4-110. It’s a crapshoot if they will work or not.

Honda Foreman 500
I was riding my four-wheeler while it was slick and got it stuck between two trees. One tree was between the tire and fender on the left side if sitting on it and the other tree was between the tire and fender on the same side but at the back tire. I left it running to go get help. Got back and it had died and ran the battery down. Got it home checked all the wires and plug charged the battery and it tries to crank but doesn't.

Wesntabby

Well, if you left the machine running for an extended period you might have a bigger problem than you want me to tell you about. The Honda Foreman for many years was air-cooled and idling any motor for extended periods that requires air movement to cool it off is not good. I would check the compression of the engine just to be sure it hasn’t caused any internal damage. This could cause the hard start problem. Get that Honda to the local dealer if you cannot perform the work yourself.

Bayou Light On
ATV AnswerMan, My name is Shawn Kerr and I have a 1997 Kawaski Bayou 300 4x4. It is full time 4x4. The Quad has been stored in the garage and the other day went to go out Quading the machine shifted in to neutral so the light comes on but it will not roll like all 4 tires are locked up. It will start and shift in to gears and look like it wants to go but it is like the breaks are on the tires wont turn.... It seemed to run fine the last time I had it out. I have backed off the brakes by loosening the cables have checked all fluids. Not sure what to look at does not seem to be brakes as it is all 4 tires not just back or front.. Not sure if a stuck clutch plates will give this symptom. Any ideas of what to check or look at would be helpful. What to check first then next if that is okay would be good...

Shawn

I would start by jacking the machine up off the floor and try spinning each tire individually. I have seen one or more wheel bearings lock up and create the exact situation you’re having. If you do not find anything then take each wheel off and look a little deeper. It’s a simple process of elimination. If it shifts to neutral then you should be able to spin the wheels. Bearings are notorious for this.

Question on Quest 650 XT
I recently bought a used 2003 bombardier quest 650 xt.  I was told it needs a battery. I topped of the water, however I didn't have a battery charger to top off the charge. I started the unit and left the choke 1/2 on to keep rpms up so the unit would charge it. After about 30 min, I went back out and saw the high temp light on. I brought it down to idle and monitored the cooling fan.  After about 1 min it came on for about 10-15 sec then shut off. High temp light was still on. Watched for another 2-3 min with no action from the fan. I shut the unit down as I had to leave. I came back a couple of hours later and started it, and it operated normally.  Due to the radiator located in the rear, is this just an inherent side effect?  I would like to believe the fan would run long enough to keep proper temp. The rad seems dirty, but not plugged.  Could the temp sensor (side of radiator?) be faulty and not reading temp correctly? I have a manual on order. Does the sensor direct the fan or just the idiot light?
Thanks for the help,
Ken

Ken, I cannot believe that you would walk away from your pride and joy for 30 minutes. Shame shame. Especially when the radiator is already located in a horrible place. Get a trickle charger, my friend. It is possible that the temp sensor is malfunctioning, but I would check the radiator fluid to be sure you still have any left. It’s possible that it is low and is just not cooling well enough and could even need to be changed as that stuff does go bad after a few years.

Rhino Problems
I have 2006 Rhino and I'm having a problems when I try to shift into neutral the light won't come on I have removed the seats and center console the shifting linkage seems fine a little loose but it is shifting it will shift from low to reverse but it wont shift into neutral so I can start it help!!!!!!
Doug

Is the Rhino idling high when you try shifting to neutral? You should be able to step on the brake pedal and start the machine in gear. This may help get the gear position sensor to its proper place to identify the neutral position. The brake light closes a circuit that allows the gear selector override.

Who Cares?
What years does the 1994 350 big bear wire harness match too for the years

Doesn't Matter

This has to be the worst question I have ever had sent in. The person even answered it before he hit send! WOW.

Traxter Fuses
I have a 2001 bombardier traxter ,and I need to know where the fuseboxes are. I know where one is but where is the other one?? does anyone know thanks for any help.
Sam

There is only one fuse panel on the 2001 Traxter autoshift, and it contains all of the one-time fuses on the machine. Let me know what you’re trying to fix and maybe I can help.

Rhino Backfire
Why does my 2007 Yamaha 660 rhino backfire on only hard deceleration. I just serviced it, adjusted valves, carb overhaul, clean air filter & breather filters. It is running GREAT, but backfires on hard decels.

Bobby

The most common, yet most overlooked, problem with the Rhino backfire/decel situation is the exhaust. The exhaust on this machine will crack at the head and around the Y pipe where the two sections of pipe come together. You may have to remove the pipe to see it and I know that’s a pain to do, because I have done it more than I want to but that’s a very good place to start!

Suzuki King Quad
Hey I’m wondering if have a fuel problem as it comes out of tank good, but the line going to carb doesn’t feed enough fuel. Is it because of the filter thing on the front behind the left tire?

Kevin Caldwell

Kevin, the easiest way to know if something is a problem is to remove it from the equation. Take the filter off and add a section of pipe to try the flow from there. Chances are you have a restriction in the carb itself. I didn’t really read a question or problem in your email, but I’m guessing that you’re having problems with fueling in the engine, right?

Birthday Wish
Hello, my name is Isaiha and I am 15 (my bday is febuary 10) and I was wondering if I could join a race. I've been riding on trails for about 7 years. I was born to race as everyone says. Well I just got on and went. And most people say I’m a dare devil. Well I’m asking if you can help me get started with a race and even practice on a track. So please help me. Email asap.

isaiha

Hi Isaiha,
I actually have had this question asked many times, and I know how it can feel when you just want to get on the trails and race. My first suggestion to young riders is to be sure your grades are in good shape because there is more to racing than just ripping up the trails. Being a daredevil is a plus, but having a good head on your shoulders is even more important, as anyone with enough guts can fling themselves into danger. And most importantly still is that Mom or Dad or both are ok with you racing for fun. It’s a lot of work and requires more than you may think. I am not trying to discourage you but more of trying to help you understand that being a good racer requires responsibility and smarts. Do you have a four-wheeler already? Do you take really good care of it? Let me know where you’re from and I’ll get a list of tracks or riding spots for you. Good luck, my friend.

Sportsman Bearing Burn
I have a 2004 Polaris Sportsman 600. I need to find out what causes the crankshaft to burn its bearings. I replaced with a new one and now it’s locked up. The crankshaft rear rod is burned exactly like the one I replaced. I need to know what causes this?

Pat

I would say you are probably having an oiling issue. The pump could be bad or have material from the last seizure lodged in it. I would simply replace the oil pump and any components that are related as it only takes a little wear on that pump to lose a lot of oil pressure. Then I would also make sure all of the passages to the crank area are free of debris as well.

I hope you will get out and take a child riding soon. Enjoy what our creator has made for us and keep sending in those seemingly impossible questions.
RS

Have an ATV or side-by-side tech question for the Answerman? Send an e-mail with your name, vehicle year, model and a detailed description of the problem to editor@off-road.com, Attn: ATV AnswerMan.

February 2012

December 2011

November 2011