Four wheeler help...


F

FSXlover

New Member
I have a 2001 Honda Recon 250 utility four wheeler with a problem...
You guys seems to have a good knowledge of engines and I don't have the extra money to take it to a shop.

Heres the problem:
A few weeks ago I noticed poor idle and lots of stalling out. I know that it had to be something like a clogged jet. So yesterday I opened up the carb and cleaned her out with a air compressor and carb cleaner. I put everything back together and when I tried to start her up she wasn't very happy.

The engine will run in neutral with the idle screw all the way in. The second I put it in gear and go somewhere is stalls. It seems to run a little longer when going down hill and dies fast while going up hill. I don't think it's getting enough gas. So I cleaned it 3 more times and all came to the same outcome, stalling out.

I was think about buying a carb kit and seeing if that helped but thought I would ask here and see if anyone else has any ideas.
 
J

JSP

Super Moderator
Could be the carb still. Stuck float, something lodged in a jet, etc. I would do a FULL tear down, and cleaning with the new kit items.
 
C

CtrlAltDl

New Member
The most common problem with carbs is the pilot jet gets plugged. That jet isn't much bigger than a human hair, so unless you actually removed that jet and looked through it my guess is it's plugged up.

Does it run better with the choke on or even partially on?
 
F

FSXlover

New Member
The jets are suuuper clean. I can see loads of sun light. Made sure they were clean each time I took it apart. The choke doesn't really help.

I did a full tear down, my best guess is something with the float. A few days ago I think it stuck and it flooded so bad it was in the air filter box. Yet after I cleaned out the carb the float seemed to move just fine..

I look into buying a kit.

Other suggestions are welcome, I need this to be fixed so I can prepare for hunting season.
 
B

bleedinblue

Senior Member
Elite Member
FSXlover said:
The jets are suuuper clean. I can see loads of sun light. Made sure they were clean each time I took it apart. The choke doesn't really help.

I did a full tear down, my best guess is something with the float. A few days ago I think it stuck and it flooded so bad it was in the air filter box. Yet after I cleaned out the carb the float seemed to move just fine..

I look into buying a kit.

Other suggestions are welcome, I need this to be fixed so I can prepare for hunting season.
Click to expand...
I bett its your float..My 450 still runs when the float acts up, it overflows and drains the tank usually, but yours might be stuck down.Also, if it has any sort of rubber diaphragm, take a really close look for cracks, its just a piece of rubber, but it acts like a fuel pump.

After its reassembled, you might have to tweak a pilot adjustment screw.

This is why I think we need a off roading/adventure bike sub forum.
 
C

CtrlAltDl

New Member
Certainly sounds like float valve not closing. That would cause the symptoms you described.

First check the float level. Do you have the specs on what the float level should be?

There is a rubber tip on the float valve that can be worn and doesn't stop the flow of the gas coming into the carb.

Also check to make sure there isn't any debris in the float valve.
 
F

FSXlover

New Member
Still trying to fix it....

I checked everything 1000 times and it still won't work.

This is what happens now...
It runs great on level ground, the second I go on an incline big or small it dies.
The gas tank is clean as a whistle the fuel filter is clean the carb is clean. No idea what is causing this.
 
B

bleedinblue

Senior Member
Elite Member
FSXlover said:
Still trying to fix it....

I checked everything 1000 times and it still won't work.

This is what happens now...
It runs great on level ground, the second I go on an incline big or small it dies.
The gas tank is clean as a whistle the fuel filter is clean the carb is clean. No idea what is causing this.
Click to expand...
That still sounds like your float.Its closing when you go uphill.Did you rebuild your carb, or clean it a dozen times?Once a diaphragm cracks, or something is worn it has to be replaced.The carb's body, and maybe jets are the only components that might not actually "wear" over time.The hole in your floatvalve could be slightly enlarged from wear or something.

But it does sound like a float problem if its dieing uphill.Or possible a diaphragm, it just looks like a piece of rubber, but its like a fuel pump and wont build pressure if cracked or worn.

You might just want to drop it off at a dealership.Some models will have a specific part with a reputation for failing.On my yfz450, the float valve and diaphragm are both one.If I dont start it every week over the winter, the diaphragm will dry out and crack, and the float acts up.Its to the point now that I need to just start keeping a spare so that I dont have to wait for them to be mailed.About every other year ill slip for a month or 2, and my carb needs attention.For some reason I have alot more luck with a simple carb from a 2cycle.Less places to store varnished gas, compared to my 450's carb I guess.

Edit, did you replace the spring for the float valve?It might be stretched or weakened
 
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F

FSXlover

New Member
There is no spring on the float valve. We used a kit to redo the carb and replaced everything that came with the kit. Diaphragms look like new.
 

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