[fmld350]

My 2000 350ES Fourtrax is stored in an outside shed which is connected to the main barn at a pubic horse boarding barn. We've had extremely cold weather lately and it would not start. We pushed it into the main barn and left it overnight, it started right up. Battery is new. What can I do to get it to start while being stored outside? It cannot stay inside the main barn and I do not want to leave anything like a battery tender plugged into it for any length of time. I can hook up something for maybe 20-30 minutes before I start it, not sure if that would help.

 

[misterclean59]

Change the oil to 100 percent synthetic. Use the lightest oil recommended for your wheeler. Perhaps a 5-30? I'd say 5-20 if it were water cooled. Yes to the battery tender. Keep it on at all times........it will easily double the life of a new battery.

 

[machinecrook]

Same thing with my 300... We've had pretty insane cold weather for a long period of time. I had my battery taken out prior to storing it while I use my snowmobile. I just reinstall the battery when I need the bike. The wind chill plunged us way below -35 degree temperatures (for over a week?) so it is kind of normal for the battery to have a hard time. My battery isn't new but it is still healthy.

Maybe leave the battery in the main barn during winter and take 5 minutes to install it when you need it?

I also have synthetic 5-30 oil

 

[mac102004]

Never had an issue cold starting my 350. Make sure the choke works and hit the primer on the carb a few times before trying to start it. Also, leave the key on for a 30 seconds or so before starting. These machines should have a carb heater on them which will warm the fuel up.

 

[mattcunningham.c]

I agree with mac. Push the primer button in on the side of the carb a few time. Then leave the key on for 30 seconds or longer. If your carb has 2 wires hooked to bottom. You have a carb heater (heats fuel in carburetor). Also use a fuel treatment that gets rid of water. With the fuel treatment, you know there should not be any water to freez in the carb or lines.

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[KBacon]

I agree with mac. Push the primer button in on the side of the carb a few time. Then leave the key on for 30 seconds or longer. If your carb has 2 wires hooked to bottom. You have a carb heater (heats fuel in carburetor). Also use a fuel treatment that gets rid of water. With the fuel treatment, you know there should not be any water to freez in the carb or lines.

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If you leave the ATV outside.. there is always a chance that water/condensation can work it's way into the fuel

 

[misterclean59]

Same thing with my 300... We've had pretty insane cold weather for a long period of time. I had my battery taken out prior to storing it while I use my snowmobile. I just reinstall the battery when I need the bike. The wind chill plunged us way below -35 degree temperatures (for over a week?) so it is kind of normal for the battery to have a hard time. My battery isn't new but it is still healthy.

Maybe leave the battery in the main barn during winter and take 5 minutes to install it when you need it?

I also have synthetic 5-30 oil

That is an excellent idea

 

[TBRider]

There are Silicone pad heaters, inline heaters(for liquid cooled ), or you can get a magnetic block heater, those all require 120V power but will work at -40C, an insulated tarp is a bonus if you can get one....

 

[Macarena Man]

If ...... you're not going to use your quad for awhile.
You'll be better off not starting it at all.
Pull the battery and put it on a 'tender' ...
Folks start-up their equipment during cold weather ... usually don't get the engine/motor up to operating temperatures and heat cycles.
After shut-off, when the cases/block are cooling down, condensation will form. This will have a 'build-up' effect with every start-up.
Oil looks like chocolate milk.
You'll want to use and work your quad through full operating temperatures and multiple heat cycles, then cover with a heavy blanket type cover.
As others have advised you ..... synthetic light weight oil ....
Cold starts, and cool stops are not good for any engine/motor.

 

[mrbb]

my atv lived outside more or less for yrs and in some super cold weather, sit for weeks or so used and then started right up, GOOD battery , NO tender

if it seemed to NOT want to start, a few pumps on carb, and BOOM right up
on riding mowers, tractors and such that will NOT get used in winter time, I always pull them and bring them into a warm building
just pulling battery and leaving in a like cold place won;t do anything but make more work for you to re install when needed!

if you have power near where you keep it, and DON"T wish to use a battery tender??(not sure why that would be)
if you have a smaller torpedo heater, you can plug that is and aim it at ATV for a few minutes and it will warm it up pretty quick, just be SAFE, it can also melt things if too close! or start a fire, fuel and open flames not the best mix, but I have used a torpedo heater to warm up lot of things that refused to start in winter time
dozers to tractors, generators and other things cold stubborn !

 

[alloutdoors]

many great suggestions already and wanted to share you can get small 25w heat pads http://katsblockheater.com/block-heaters/all/atv-utv-oil-heater

 

[_Wilson_]

Lots of great info above, If moisture in the gas tank is is an issue just keep her topped off and use a good fuel treatment i use stabil you shouldn't have any fuel issues, reason i toss this in is because here where i am there is NO ethnol free gas ....... Ethanol is and always will be an issue for carb models , but not so much for fuel injected models, I'd also check the spark plug

 

[mac102004]

There are Silicone pad heaters, inline heaters(for liquid cooled ), or you can get a magnetic block heater, those all require 120V power but will work at -40C, an insulated tarp is a bonus if you can get one....

Mag heater good idea but might be tough to get stuck on aluminum engine lol


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[TBRider]

My block is aluminum, but my oil drain plug works just fine to stick to as it is made of steel, I ended up going with an inline heater, 375W, heats the block to 200F, thermostaticly controlled, cost just over 50 bucks cdn...

 

[Macarena Man]

My block is aluminum, but my oil drain plug works just fine to stick to as it is made of steel, I ended up going with an inline heater, 375W, heats the block to 200F, thermostaticly controlled, cost just over 50 bucks cdn...

Dealer installed 'block heater' ..... was on my '90 350 4Trax.
Works good at home ..... plug into a current bush when you're in the backcountry.

 

[TBRider]

Went in to order the inline heater but it only comes in 1" and thats to big for my rubicon stock hoses, I could make it work but I decided not to go that route...