[Slabach]

i have an 86 trx 350 4x4 that i got for $500. I flip atvs for a hobby. im a polaris guy, but got this as part of a deal. atv had sat for a long while outside. it had no spark when i bought it but after going through the wiring harness, i got spark and it fired up. (plenty of connection grease, and an ignition coil)

sense then ive put a new gas tank ($100), choke cable, battery, air filter. so all in all ive got about $650 into the bike.
i bought a fuel pump for it (old one was locked up) and it ran for about 5 minutes before the pump started leaking from an internal blown gasket.
so i made a makeshift gas tank and got it running again but this it just cut off coming up the drive and i cant get it started again. tried starter fluid, new spark plug, checked spark and its got good spark.. whats wrong with this thing??
I'm about ready to throw it in a dumpster..lol

 

[Goober]

Something simple

I would think the CDI is faulty after you check the following
Are you getting a steady neutral light when starting it?
Is the plug Sooty lke its choked? Carb dirty and/or starter valve worn
Check Stator exciter coil and pulse generator resistance values

 

[Goober]

I would download the service manual and parts links in my signature block below and check the troubleshooting guide.
You could also do a compression check
If you have spark and fuel then your timing is off or compression is off ( valve stuck or out of adjustment or worse)
Not knowing the history you have to start from simple

 

[Slabach]

im thinking its more mechanical- yes the neutral light is on with the key consistently. forgot to mention that the intake rocker was worn and ticking the whole time ive had the bike. maybe it finally gave up? it doesnt sound bad when turning it over. the old plug was black. i cleaned the carb well with carb cleaner before putting in the bike. what is the starter valve?

 

[Slabach]

i checked compression and its coming in at 50psi. its at 100psi with throttle open (measuring it with electric start)

 

[Slabach]

i know the bike has had a rough life- plastics cracked and rusted parts and all..

 

[Slabach]

so a new intake rocker is around $120 if i recall correctly. i just dont want to lose out on this bike if i cant sell it for what ive put in it.. would it be better to part it out?

 

[Slabach]

and this is a 4-valve model btw.. i have already checked and adjusted the timing and valves to manual spec.

 

[Goober]

Compression spec is 178-206 psi so you’re showing a leetle low; however, testing compression with weak components elsewhere—I’d keep that reading as a data point for now.

The starter valve AKA starter enrichment AKA choke valve is on the side of the carb. That oring needs to be pliable and conical pointing into the carb. If it’s worn then it’s like driving with the choke on all the time.
That will cause it to die when warm and foul the plug

 

[Goober]

We can help you try a few other things before you give up on it. Hard to find parts for these unless you luckily bump into one on fleabay. Mine had a stuck valve but cam chain is good.
Lotsa folks want the rear axle, stator, carb, headlight bucket, harnesses... you’ll get your money’s worth parting it out but right now there are so many used parts better to tinker with it until you know what’s wrong with it.

 

[Slabach]

ok, thanks! i know that these quads are great atvs. i just sold one so this atv isnt far from going into the shop to get torn down.

 

[Slabach]

been looking at what parts cost on ebay for these bikes and im leaning towards parting it out now..

 

[Goober]

Anything on it will be of interest but price it too high and you’ll hang onto it for awhile. Even a broken piece might have a salvageable bit of hardware. For instance a mouse chewed harness will still have value for the striped wires (red/black and blue/yellow are hard to find.
If you’re going to part it out, try to keep all the mounting bolts with each individual part. Advertise what you know about it.you have pix of it?

I am interested in a starter, a seat and a headlight bucket

I can tell you

 

[Noob]

I'm looking for a complete head assembly.
Valves, springs, rockers, cam....etc.