ATV Engine Problems

Idaho Jarhead

Idaho Jarhead

Joined
Nov 2, 2007
Messages
1,415
Don't really want to join another forum just to ask one question, so I'm hoping maybe I can get a reasonable answer on BF.

I bought a used '05 Suzuki Ozark about a month ago. It was running great until I ran it pretty hard on a really...really cold day a couple weeks ago. Basically the engine bogs down, I lose power, and the engine stalls. I have cleaned the air filter, installed a new spark plug, and put in new gas. Don't know what else to do. The engine starts easily and will idle pretty well. I can run up and down the road at low speed, but as soon as I give her any throttle she starts bogging down again.

Obviously not a grease monkey....so any advice?
 
Sounds like carbon plugging up the exhaust if it still has a spark arrester clean it.

If that doesn't work. To test my theory run it first without the spark arrester and then once with the exhaust disconnected at the head.
 
possible carb issue??

I'm no expert but I would make sure there is no debris in the tank or carb, remove jets/bowl and blow them out with compressed air. I would start there.
 
That you can fire it up and it runs well at idle, indicates compression is NOT a problem.

As 555 alluded, it may be a clog in the exhaust. Good way to check. It can't push a larger volume of exhaust out. It would have that symptom, but that's not my first diagnosis.

The idle jet and low speed are controlled by one jet, and the mid and upper ranges are controlled byt other(s). I'm guessing a piece of smegma has lodged itself into the main jet. causing partial or complete blockage.

You can get to the drain screw on the carb bowl. Unscrew it a turn, and drain it into a small clean container. Any stuff in there? That's a tip.

Electrical? Sometimes a coil won't allow high-speed windings to fire, but that's not too common.

Good luck.

Coop
 
Sorry, I have to do this. :):D

When was the last time you did your Logo change? :D

honda-logo-med.jpg


:D
 
Sounds like a fuel problem. Undo fuel line going into carb. Turn petcock on and off. See if fuel is flowing freely. If yes, carb is plugged up with gunk. If not flowing freely you can try and slosh gas in tank around and see if it will flow then. If no fuel, you could add carb cleaner and let sit for a day and try again. If this isnt't working you may have to remove tank and clean:barf:. If gas is flowing into carb and it still is not running well spray some carb cleaner into carb intake and let sit for an hour. If this still does not work take carb out and remove jets and clean well with carb cleaner. Make sure jets are not plugged by blowwing threw them with a compressor. Put back together and cross fingers. One other thing, if fuel tank is dirty drain all fuel out and make sure all dirt and gunk is gone. Then add clean fresh gas. Just thought of something else. Check fuel lines for cracks. Mine had very small cracks and air was getting into lines and it kind of acted the same way. Mine was hard to start and wouldn't run worth a darn when this happened. Hope this helps. Good luck.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions gents. I will work on this a bit tomorrow and see where it gets me. richardj, I'll let you know if I can't get it running smoothly. Thanks again.
 
you have been given some good information. i think 555 hit the nail on the head. i was going to have you check things from the carb back but i would try that first.

i had a weedeater gave to me once and it ran at an idle but once you gave it gas, it would bog down. i just happened to turn it the right way to see the tube coming out of the muffler had a wasp nest in it. i popped it out and it fired right up and ran like a new one.
 
Finally did get it figured out! Took the carb and gas tank off. Both were plugged up with crap. Even found a tiny spider in the bowl of the carb. Seems to be running great now. Thanks for all the suggestions gents. And the Sea Foam idea is a good one too I think.
 
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