[FourWheelerOnFire]

Hi, I have a Honda Fourtrax TRX 350 ( Bored piston and snorkeled.) and i am having trouble starting it. I have checked the gas, it has plenty, i have checked that the spark plug "sparks" and i have checked the air filter and intake (the filter, when i took it off, smelled very heavily of gas and was oily, and there was a hose going into the snorkel box coming from the right side of the motor, looking from the back, and it was pumping what smelled like exhaust fumes into the air intake box.) At first i thought i had flooded it but i waited for 10-20 minutes and came back, but it would not start, it turns over but that's all, next i consulted my manual for help, but i had already done all it had said and the machine wouldn't start. I asked a friend and he said it could be the ratio of gas to air and that it was getting to much of either of the two but when i put everything back together, which decreased the air flow, but it still would not crank. Any advice will help, Thanks!

 

[retro]

Before we get started here, what year is this TRX350? There were two entirely different series produced... Also fill us in why you tore it down, everything that was renewed/replaced and whether there are any aftermarket parts on it. Thanks and welcome to the forums!

 

[FourWheelerOnFire]

Hi retro its a 2002 Honda rancher TRX 350, and i didn't "tear it down" i took the air filter off because it looked very dirty and cause it wouldn't start. The plastic was replaced, because the gas gauge is half under the plastic which leads me to believe its new but definitely replaced, there is semi-new mud bug tires on it, and the brake system was replaced to brake all four wheels at the same time. The battery is only 2 months old and there's a new in-line gas filter coming from the tank to the carb. That's about it, but here's a picture of the air filter for reference.

 

[retro]

Thanks, was the motor starting and running OK previous to being snorkeled, brake work, new battery etc.?

Does it have spark while cranking it over?

 

[FourWheelerOnFire]

Yes it was running/idling fine, brakes work and battery is full. The spark plug sparks when held close to the frame so yes it works.

 

[Goober]

Was the plug wet with fuel? How’s it look?

I would replace the air filter first that one is done. This will help get more air to the carb. Whether this one or a new one, use K&N filter cleaner/oil to service the air cleaner.
If the carb was never serviced, consider rebuilding it.
Put new plug in there.
Start with fresh gas then tune the air/fuel mix.

 

[FourWheelerOnFire]

hi goober thank you for the advice we are ordering an air filter and will be coming soon but, how do you adjust the air fuel mix?

 

[Goober]

There is a link to the electronic service manual folder in my sig block. You need to refer to the carb section to rebuild clean or setup the carb.

Generally when you snorkel a rig you get the air flow and vacuum out of balance and the carb can’t feed the right mix. Not saying that’s your problem that’s why I asked about the plug

I don’t recall anyone mentioning it but seems like snorkel building should include plumbing valves to regulate airflow and a port for a vacuum gauge.

 

[Brick]

Do you still have compression?