[powerchallenged6.5]

This is my first post. I have been a member of several diesel forums so I kinda know how this works.
I have found what seems to be a good deal on a 2005 Honda FourTrax® Rancher™ 4X4 (TRX350FM) that the dealer says "needs work, no compression" for $1200. First of all, does no compression mean that I should run screaming or could it be something simple? I have never owned an ATV myself but have worked on everything from boats to forklifts and I believe that unless it is something really obscure, I can fix it. Is that a good price for something that age but with problems? The main thing that concerns me is that this is a Honda dealer and they are selling "as is". You would thing that if it was something simple, they would fix it and make more money on it. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

 

[TRX2fiveO]

These engines are pretty simple just get yourself a manual, I would suggest boring too. got to bike bandit .com they have lits of parts and diagrams avail for most any quad or bike. good luck and keep us posted

 

[powerchallenged6.5]

TRX2fiveO, do you know of any common problems with this engine that usually causes this problem?

 

[TRX2fiveO]

Not really but my guess would be poor maintanence, wrong oil,running while low on oil, over revving improper valve adjusment, Ect. it could be any number of things.

IS it locked-up or it just don't have any compression? no compression IMO would be a ring issue but if you tear it down you may as well rebuild it.

 

[powerchallenged6.5]

TRX2fiveO, I have not seen this unit in person. I wanted some input/advise before talking to the seller. If the engine turns normally, great. If it turns over really fast, too fast, I might be concerned about a hole in piston, bent rod, blown head gasket etc. Thanks for the help

 

[TRX2fiveO]

even if its got a burnt piston I woldn't be scared to sink 3 or 4 hundred in it you'd have a good motor for that price.. go to bike bandit.com and price out the parts you'll see it not that expensive nothing like spending 300 bucks for one 4.5l john deere diesel injector lol

if the engine turns over freely with no compression it will do that.....also if the timing chain broke you will get that too. I would reccomend replacing the timing chain and chain guides if you do the rebuild.

 

[powerchallenged6.5]

Looked at the used girl today

Well I talked to the owner of the Honda shop that has this bike for sale. He's a local guy so I know he's legit. He told me that he took this thing in on trade from a farm that used it daily. He said that they had a local guy look at it and said it had a dropped valve. He said that he has never seen that problem with this engine. They needed an ATV quickly so they just bought another one. When he started looking at it he found that they had been running it without an air filter and think that it has no compression because the rings and cylinder is wiped out. He has been so busy that he has had time to tear into it but is convinced that it needs bored, a piston, rings and cleaned. He said it would be about $500-600 if he did it all and about $350 if I tore it down, had them bore it and got the parts from them. Does this sound realistic? I live in a small town and people don't tend to BS someone because they know it will get around. I can buy this for $1500 and put around $500 more into it and have a work-used ATV for about $2000. Any thoughts.

 

[powerchallenged6.5]

BTT. Any thoughts on my last post

 

[tomgodd]

Where is Cox Creek? I live a bout an hour from louisville. Near Elizabeth town I know a couple of guys I go to If you are not to far away I will tell you about them.

 

[Saber6]

Well I talked to the owner of the Honda shop that has this bike for sale. He's a local guy so I know he's legit. He told me that he took this thing in on trade from a farm that used it daily. He said that they had a local guy look at it and said it had a dropped valve. He said that he has never seen that problem with this engine. They needed an ATV quickly so they just bought another one. When he started looking at it he found that they had been running it without an air filter and think that it has no compression because the rings and cylinder is wiped out. He has been so busy that he has had time to tear into it but is convinced that it needs bored, a piston, rings and cleaned. He said it would be about $500-600 if he did it all and about $350 if I tore it down, had them bore it and got the parts from them. Does this sound realistic? I live in a small town and people don't tend to BS someone because they know it will get around. I can buy this for $1500 and put around $500 more into it and have a work-used ATV for about $2000. Any thoughts.

I would go for it.