[andyanderson489]

hey everyone. i just got this 4wheeler 2 days ago. it ran fine when i tested it out. due to the terrible weather we have had he last couple of days, this morning was the first time we got to try it out. we drove around the back field for about 20 minutes, not hot rodding, just putting around, and it started cutting out my wife was driving it and i thought she was messing with me but it was actually the 4 wheeler cutting out. it willl idle fine but when you give it gas it cuts out and doesnt have enough power to move it. it full of fuel by the way. i shut it off for a few minutes and the fired it back up. it ran right for maybe a minute and then started it again. i limped it back to the house and now here i am. any thoughts? thanks in advance!

 

[retro]

Fuel tank vent clogged, petcock screen clogged, carb dirty/clogged etc.
Start with the tank vent then see if you are getting full fuel flow at the carb where the fuel line connects. If those check out its likely a dirty carb.

Welcome to the forums!

 

[Trailfreak]

The 2007 420 is fuel injected, isn’t it? No carb?

 

[andyanderson489]

yes it is fuel injected. i forgot to add that it does when it gets good and hot.

 

[alloutdoors]

I suspect the spark plug, try changing it........

 

[andyanderson489]

Ok. I'll give it a shot. If u don't mind me asking, why do u think that? I'm trying to learn this small engine stuff. Also it started smoking a little when it started messing up a little bit ago. The guy I bought it from told me he thought there might be some water in the fuel and to put some heet fuel treatment in it so I did. Could that make it smoke too?

 

[retro]

I got a carbed brain this weekend, thanks for correcting me Trailfreak and sorry about the mixup andyanderson489!

You say you have some smoke (white smoke?) and symptoms begin after the motor warms up, so I would suspect a coolant system problem somewhere. Possible blown head gasket?

Check the spark plug for evidence of antifreeze getting into the combustion chamber. The plug will be blasted clean of carbon and most likely have a slightly orange tint... if this condition has been going on for a while. Your coolant level would be low too.

 

[andyanderson489]

It's no problem. I'm going to pick up a spark plug in a day or two I think and change it and I'll check it then. Man I hope it's not a blown head gasket. This is the second four wheeler I've had in 2 weeks and the first one had a blown head gasket and a bad water pump and a bad water pump. It is white smoke coming out. Not a lot but when it gets good and hot that's when it starts smoking. I'll check my levels also to see if I'm losing any coolant. Also if it's a blown head gasket and I'm losing coolant wouldn't it be going into oil? I checked the oil yesterday and it looked fine. It wasn't a Milky color and the level was fine.

 

[retro]

Depending on the location of a blown gasket or seal (or location of a crack in the head or jug) coolant might escape into the oil, or the combustion chamber, or seep out where you can see it escaping, or any combination of the above. The several symptoms you describe fit this potential issue like a glove.

 

[andyanderson489]

Ok thanks. That really sucks to hear but now I know where to start. Lol I hate getting that deep into a motor. I appreciate it though.

 

[Melatv]

Hi: The fuel filter in the Sub_Fuel tank, if you have never changed it as yet -- you will find it is dirty.

 

[retro]

^^^ Melatv might have nailed it for you! ^^^

 

[alloutdoors]

Ok. I'll give it a shot. If u don't mind me asking, why do u think that? I'm trying to learn this small engine stuff. Also it started smoking a little when it started messing up a little bit ago. The guy I bought it from told me he thought there might be some water in the fuel and to put some heet fuel treatment in it so I did. Could that make it smoke too?

I assume you are referring to me with this response. As background, I have changed the plug in my Rancher 2x over the past two years when displaying similar characteristics.

 

[andyanderson489]

Thanks y'all. I'm gonna check it all out this weekend and see what I can figure out. I really appreciate all the help. I'm not to shabby on cars and trucks but as far as ATVs going def a newbie. Lol I've rode them most my life but never did much work on them.

 

[retro]

Great, keep us posted if you can.

 

[andyanderson489]

Ok will do

 

[alloutdoors]

Thanks y'all. I'm gonna check it all out this weekend and see what I can figure out. I really appreciate all the help. I'm not to shabby on cars and trucks but as far as ATVs going def a newbie. Lol I've rode them most my life but never did much work on them.

The same "general" principals (fuel, spark/fire, air, etc.) used in diagnosing cars applies here as well, especially the older ones with carburetors, LOL.

 

[andyanderson489]

I assumed it was about the same but I don't wanna assume I know about ATVs. Lol I don't wanna be the know it all guy who really doesn't know crap.

 

[wheeler]

I would be checking the coil too. You say it was run for a bit then acts out. If the coil is weak & heats up you will get those symptoms as well.

 

[andyanderson489]

Ok thanks. I'll be sure to check it too.