350 Rancher Engine problems

[JsheII3]

I know where to turn when things go south. So help me out.

My 2003 Rancher 350. Kids (hwy) riding it. Said it kept getting slower and slower. Finally died. And smelled funny.
Walk to house to get me.

When I get to the ATV, battery is dead from them holding the starter button & it’s 2 quarts low oil.

I trailer it back to house. Check gas. Check spark (haven’t pulled plug yet) wire. Sparks. Hook jumper cables and it turns over but won’t bust off.

So where should I start?

 

[Neohio]

Plug and air filter.

 

[JsheII3]

By the way. 2 quarts low = no oil on dipstick.
After I added 2 quarts and it’s back on dipstick.

 

[JsheII3]

Whelp. Spark plug ok.
Pulled air filter off.

Sprayed WD-40 into the carb. Still no crank.

The fuel line is getting fuel to carb. Off/on reserve makes gas flow.

It’s gotta be the carb, but that’s a newer carb and the atv is driven fairly regular.

Any more ideas? Besides carb that I should check?

 

[70Bones]

You have spark, gas, the third part of the equation is compression. Got compression? It's probably the carb requiring a cleaning.

 

[allgm1]

Id start by kicking someones arse for not checking the oil before riding it. Then id pull the spark plug and maybe check the compression

 

[JsheII3]

My dad says “Stator” because it sits in oil and running low on oil will cause it to swell.
Short out.

Controls the spark.

 

[JsheII3]

Id start by kicking someones arse for not checking the oil before riding it. Then id pull the spark plug and maybe check the compression

My own ass. That’s who I should kick.

 

[lee]

Pull the little cover on the right side foot well.
Pull the pull starter.
It should have enough compression to make your wrist yelp (If clicking a mouse is what you call "work").

Stator is dry - not in the oil.

Could be water in the gas.
It's a long shot but better than a spun bearing.
There is a drain screw on the left side of the CARB.
(Don't turn the wrong screw, it will just make figuring out what is wrong so much more difficult)
Needs a long, thin blade screw driver.
Catch the gas underneath, flow maybe a cup worth threw.
Looking at the gas in the container you can see water in the bottom.
If you see water, dump "heet" or somthing similar in the tank.

Good luck.

 

[JsheII3]

Pull the little cover on the right side foot well.
Pull the pull starter.
It should have enough compression to make your wrist yelp (If clicking a mouse is what you call "work").

Stator is dry - not in the oil.

Could be water in the gas.
It's a long shot but better than a spun bearing.
There is a drain screw on the left side of the CARB.
(Don't turn the wrong screw, it will just make figuring out what is wrong so much more difficult)
Needs a long, thin blade screw driver.
Catch the gas underneath, flow maybe a cup worth threw.
Looking at the gas in the container you can see water in the bottom.
If you see water, dump "heet" or somthing similar in the tank.

Good luck.

Thanks. I'm going to grab a NEW spark Autolite 4164 plug tomorrow and also check for water in the gas. I'll keep us posted... LOL.

 

[DG Rider]

Whelp. Spark plug ok.
Pulled air filter off.

Sprayed WD-40 into the carb. Still no crank.

The fuel line is getting fuel to carb. Off/on reserve makes gas flow.

It’s gotta be the carb, but that’s a newer carb and the atv is driven fairly regular.

Any more ideas? Besides carb that I should check?

Does WD40 burn? I don't think I knew that.

 

[JsheII3]

Does WD40 burn? I don't think I knew that.

I can’t tell if you’re serious, or not. I don’t see the /s at the end. Lol.

 

[DG Rider]

I can’t tell if you’re serious, or not. I don’t see the /s at the end. Lol.

I am and didn't know that. In my defense, I always have a sureshot of brakeclean at hand. And it burns well!

 

[snuffnwhisky]

I had water in my gas on a 660 grizzly. It would not fire even shooting it with ether. Hopefully thats it. Water turns into jello in the carb and will block off the jets. I would try draining the tank and carb bowl first then fresh gas.

 

[JsheII3]

I had water in my gas on a 660 grizzly. It would not fire even shooting it with ether. Hopefully thats it. Water turns into jello in the carb and will block off the jets. I would try draining the tank and carb bowl first then fresh gas.

The boys had been riding it for 30 straight minutes prior to it dying. Could water still be the case? Also, we don’t use any corn squeezings in our gas cans. Aaaand we ride this bike,semi- weekly.
(By the way snuff, not debating you. You’re one of my heroes!)

I’ve seen a buncha stuff on YT what it’s like when a spark plug goes bad. I hope that’s all it is.
I even watched a guy test his spark plug w a HF sprkplug tester. Read good even tho changing the plug fixed the problem.

After @lee told me the stator is not in the oil, my spirits back up! Lol.

Come on $2 spark plug

 

[snuffnwhisky]

The boys had been riding it for 30 straight minutes prior to it dying. Could water still be the case? Also, we don’t use any corn squeezings in our gas cans. Aaaand we ride this bike,semi- weekly.
(By the way snuff, not debating you. You’re one of my heroes!)

I’ve seen a buncha stuff on YT what it’s like when a spark plug goes bad. I hope that’s all it is.
I even watched a guy test his spark plug w a HF sprkplug tester. Read good even tho changing the plug fixed the problem.

After @lee told me the stator is not in the oil, my spirits back up! Lol.

Come on $2 spark plug

From my experience, plugs go bad from fouling, trying to start a lot and not cranking - low battery or lots of quick on/offs or running extremely hot or lean, melting the end of the plug. I've never saw one take a dump when riding normally unless something else was wrong. Still a good idea to replace. Check the boot between the head and carb for cracks/vacuum leaks. Smell the gas also. If it doesn't smell right, replace. I can easily see a kid dumping anything out of a gas can in the tank regardless where they found it haha.

 

[JsheII3]

Could be water in the gas.

I would try draining the tank and carb bowl first then fresh gas.

Wouldn’t it be funny if it was something like water in the gas!?!
And you kept trying to tell me, but all I heard was spark plug spark plug spark plug...

Ok Ok

 

[JsheII3]

Update.
Still won’t run.

1. New spark Plug
2. Drained gas tank and removed screw ( @lee / @snuffnwhisky ) from bottom of carb bowl until dry.
3. It does appear to have compression at the recoil. Noticeable difference with and without spark plug installed.
4. I also tried numerous tips like pour gas directly into air intake carb. Choke and cover air intake. Spray WD40 in carb and in top of piston.

So... if it ran hot because of low oil, what damage could it cause to keep it from cranking?
Or any other things I could try before taking it into the shop. ??

 

[Deleted member 3748]

Update.
Still won’t run.

1. New spark Plug
2. Drained gas tank and removed screw ( @lee / @snuffnwhisky ) from bottom of carb bowl until dry.
3. It does appear to have compression at the recoil. Noticeable difference with and without spark plug installed.
4. I also tried numerous tips like pour gas directly into air intake carb. Choke and cover air intake. Spray WD40 in carb and in top of piston.

So... if it ran hot because of low oil, what damage could it cause to keep it from cranking?
Or any other things I could try before taking it into the shop. ??

Is the new plug sparking?

 

[JsheII3]

Is the new plug sparking?

I swapped from Autolite to NGK. That’s all the parts place had.
I didn’t see it spark outside the engine, but I’ll go take a look.
—edit—
Update. That’s a big 10-4 @PistonHonda confirmed sparking. (Better than the Autolite 4164, actually)