[rangermach1]

Recently purchases a 2007 400ex.

Has new plugs, air filter, oil & filter, and fresh 91 octane gas. (all done by me)

Its been very cold here, and when I start it I have to use the choke on FULL.
It starts just fine, but after about 30 seconds, it acts like it is just starving for air or fuel, and simply dies out. I will fire it back up, and it does the exact same thing.

What is the cause? Is it a bad coil or CDI?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

by the way it ran fine when I picked it up. the oil was dirty and so was the filter (air) so that is why I changed them first. The plug looked pretty fouled. Oh, and the battery is at 13.2 volts, so it should be fully juiced up!!

 

[Redracer]

Welcome to the site, how long are you keeping the choke on? Turn the choke off as soon as you get it started. Take out the new plug and see what color it is.

 

[rangermach1]

plug color

Red Racer,

Thanks for the welcome! It was black!

What color should it be?

 

[rangermach1]

color of plug

it was wet with fuel too!!

 

[Billy250X]

It's flooding then.Maybe it has too much jet.Try downsizing.

 

[TRX2fiveO]

Try just pumping the throttle 4 or 5 times and barley hold the throttle down and i mean barely, start it and feather the throttle for a few min. 400s are cold natured beast. have you installed any aftermarket jet kits or exhaust? is your airbox lid on or off? if its off put it on it's too lean

 

[rangermach1]

air box, jet

The air box lid is on tight. How do I tell if it is jeted?

I bought it pre-owned. I've honestly never seen an actual jet kit in person.

What am I looking for?

Could it be the idle?

 

[rangermach1]

hard starting

It did backfire a few times! Is that because of the excessive fuel it's receiving?

 

[TRX2fiveO]

the plug is wet because you flooded it by pumping and cranking on it, the black plug issue is you were startving it for air when you had the choke on. Does it have factory exhaust? if it does chances are it's not been jetted. my guess would be to put in a new plug and try starting it like i suggested. my best friend has a 400ex and he never uses the choke. I don't either for that matter. Also when you try my starting suggestion don't sit there and romp on it just lightly feather the throttle until you think it's warm enough to idle on its own, if it dies don't pump the throttle but maybe 2 or 3 times and again BARELY hold the throttle.

 

[rangermach1]

hard starting

Ok, I will give it a whirl tonight. I will report back. Thanks for the suggestions, you guys are better help than a Honda Dealer! :gotmyvote:

 

[TRX2fiveO]

WE ARE The Honda Dealer!!!! LOL Nation wide band of Brothers and sisters. If we can't fix it it must be a YAMAHA

 

[mud99]

LOL Good one Moose.

 

[TRX2fiveO]

I learnt from you master...lol am I ready to pick up the burning pot with my forearms now? LMAO

 

[mud99]

Yes young Padawan you are ready The force is strong with you.

 

[Billy250X]

LMAO!!You guys are good.

 

[tomgodd]

Moose gave you some Great starting tips! I have an 07 400ex and cold natured it is!

 

[Billy250X]

I'm lucky then.2-3 kicks and my 250's going.

 

[Helmut]

Red Racer,

Thanks for the welcome! It was black!

What color should it be?

Spark plug electrode should be a light tan color.

 

[rangermach1]

color of plug

So if it is black on the electrode, that means it is toast! correct?

 

[mud99]

some times you can clean them up and they will be ok.