I'm going to kill my..

User00003

Well-Known Member
quad bike! been working on the carburetor for a couple weeks now, and finally seem to have nailed the problem, leaning it down enough to idle and rev fine, respond to throttle, etc. etc...then I turn if off and try to start it again, but no luck, engine isn't turning over,, try again, no, try the pull cord to start it manually, and it's stuck all the way in,,not moving...WTF! so the starter won't even try due to resistance in the engine and the pull cord is stuck too...

what do I do that works and does not involve an engineering phd or money!
 
By the sounds of things you had better get mentally prepared to spend some money..........get it into a specialist and get a professional opinion and evaluation on your quad.
Internet forums are a good guide but at the end of the day, a proven profesional who has your problem in front of their nose should be able to steer you in the right direction in a heartbeat, granted there will be a fee involved but at least you will have a definative answer and potential solution.

Regards

BP
 
If the electric starter won't turn it over (and I guess the battery is okay) and you can't even crank it with the pull handle, it sounds awfully like a seized motor to me. Hopefully not. Don't know how old it is or what it's worth, but be wary about spending more than it's worth trying to fix it.
 
Remove the starter moter as it sounds like the starter may be stuck out in so holding on to the ring gear ! ! Try putti g it in gear and rocking it free without the spark plug In.just like an old ford lol. Also its not jump into rear gear has it!.
 
Hit the starter moter with a hammer. Possibly stuck in gumming up the works. Failing that remove the spark plug ant try it without compression. Are you stuck in gear? The chamber could be full of Petrol if you been playing with the carb. Dip your oil ang sniff for fuel. Liquids do not compress. Best of luck.
 
It sounds like it's hydraulic'd

the float in the carb sticks allowing fuel to pour into the cylinder. It's not as serious as you think, quite common for occasional use quads.

​Easy fix, strip and clean carb
 
If you've got or had hydraulic lock from fuel not being cut off by the float needle. The petrol will most likely have drained down past the piston rings into the sump - check your oil level - if it stinks of petrol or has risen you do need to drain it down & put in new oil. It's a good idea to swap the oil just to be sure. Oil diluted with petrol is not good for a long engine life! Remember to change the oil filter too.
I had the same problem on my CX500 bike. Carbs are SOOOO easy to screw up in this fashion so don't feel bad about it. I found it better to fit a new float needle valve rather than clean / reuse one that has leaked. Just make sure you set it exactly right (as per the workshop manual).
If there is an overflow in the float chamber make sure it is clear so that any leakage drains out there rather than through the jets into the manifold.
If you suspect that it may happen again shut off the fuel at the tap each time you leave the quad till you are sure it's ok.

Ian
 
Hi,

All you need to do is take the spark plug out put a rag over the bore and turn it over a few times until all the fuel from the bore is ejected then put the plug back in and fire it up.
 
As per Torric - check oil level. If above normal likely to be contaminated with fuel and needs replaced. Also as per nod1 remove spark plug and turn over to eject fuel from plug hole. Better if this can be done with kill switch off.
 
+1 if you rings are slack then fuel may have got past them do a dip in the oil and see if /it feels diluted and ? petrol smelling if this is the case you are half way to a service so do just that. But first after removing the S/plug see if you can hand pull it over. then go outside find a big hammer and bash yourself in the nuts this will remind you to order a workshop guide to adjusting the fuel and air on your bike :eek:
good luck hope you get it sorted.:tiphat:


Hi,

All you need to do is take the spark plug out put a rag over the bore and turn it over a few times until all the fuel from the bore is ejected then put the plug back in and fire it up.
 
+1 if you rings are slack then fuel may have got past them do a dip in the oil and see if /it feels diluted and ? petrol smelling if this is the case you are half way to a service so do just that. But first after removing the S/plug see if you can hand pull it over. then go outside find a big hammer and bash yourself in the nuts this will remind you to order a workshop guide to adjusting the fuel and air on your bike :eek:
good luck hope you get it sorted.:tiphat:

+1
When you take the dipstick out try to light the oil on it. If there is fuel contamination in the oil it will light if not , it won't.
Remove spark plug and turn over, but be careful that the spark lead cannot throw a spark or you'll have a 6ft jet of flames coming out of your engine (speak from experience).
DO NOT HIT THE STARTER MOTOR WITH ANYTHING. Just had to replace a Honda TRX starter with a new one because someone did the same and all the magnets inside fell off the starter:doh: They are only glued on!!
 
+1
When you take the dipstick out try to light the oil on it. If there is fuel contamination in the oil it will light if not , it won't.
Remove spark plug and turn over, but be careful that the spark lead cannot throw a spark or you'll have a 6ft jet of flames coming out of your engine (speak from experience).
DO NOT HIT THE STARTER MOTOR WITH ANYTHING. Just had to replace a Honda TRX starter with a new one because someone did the same and all the magnets inside fell off the starter:doh: They are only glued on!!

ok oil level doubled based on stick and stinks of fuel. took carb off again and removed spark plug, that broke the hydraulic lock and pulling the cord got fuel spitting out (and no fire;)..problem is now that I can't drain the oil as the sump plug screw won't budge and is rusted solid. tried using a vacuum pump to suck out all the oil through the dip hole. got about most of it out I think but it still smells a bit of fuel..may have to work harder on the plug screw...suss..

anyway, topped it up with fresh oil so probably running 90%+ oil..then tried to start with spark plug dried off and carb re-installed...however, engine turns over fine, electric motor runs fine,,,,but,,,engine never starts, just turns over and tries to start.

got the petcock working again so plenty of fuel supply. also lowered the float again to factory level so shouldn't be drowning the engine or running too lean...now the damn thing just won't start.

can wet spark plug have something to do with it? what is 'compression', I read about this somewhere and that your engine can loose it...?...

I really am getting fed up! if only I could afford a new one!
 
Take the plug out and dry it and clean with wire brush. With plug still out turn engine over for a few seconds to empty cylinder. Heat end of plug up with lighter replace quickly and restart. If it does not restart reuse the lighter and set fire to the bike. Hope that helps.
 
Take the plug out and dry it and clean with wire brush. With plug still out turn engine over for a few seconds to empty cylinder. Heat end of plug up with lighter replace quickly and restart. If it does not restart reuse the lighter and set fire to the bike. Hope that helps.

will try...really like your final suggestion, could be a winner! LOL
 
Take the plug out and dry it and clean with wire brush. With plug still out turn engine over for a few seconds to empty cylinder. Heat end of plug up with lighter replace quickly and restart. If it does not restart reuse the lighter and set fire to the bike. Hope that helps.

Always best to earth out the spark plug when you're turning over an engine or you can blow the cdi unit £££. This will also show you if you have a spark.
Sounds like you need some one with a compression tester. Your bike probably needs about 130 psi+
 
Yes hold the body (metal part) of the plug against the engine, steel part, and crank over the plug should spark and if you are lucky saves you having to use the lighter to put the bike on fire. Also get a friend to hold the plug whilst earthed out and get a good laugh when they get a shock!!
 
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