[Blitzkrieg]

So I'm taking my 86 350 up to the hunting camp next week so I was putting it all back together today. After remounting the front fender, inner mud guards and skid plates I figured I would start it up and let er run for a while. I've done nothing to the engine whatsoever as the guy I baught it off of said he had just had the engine rebuilt by a local shop. So I put some fresh gas in it and started it up (had to kick start it cause the battery is a POS. It ran for like a minute then quit randomly. I kick started it again and it ran for a while longer then quit. I started it again and it kept running this time but with a very random idle (up and down). While it was running I held my ear close to the engine and I could hear what sounded like the timing chain. Should I be able to hear the timing chain circulating or does this represent a problem? Like I said I'm going to be taking it to the camp next week and I'd rather not have to tow it home. Any ideas what is causing these problems? The only thing I can think of is that the battery is new but the last owner didnt seem to fill it properly and never charged it fully. Would this cause these problems?

 

[Helmut]

It ran for like a minute then quit randomly. I kick started it again and it ran for a while longer then quit. I started it again and it kept running this time but with a very random idle (up and down).

That sounds like the carb needs to be cleaned. It sounds like the float valve might be stuck open, some debris under the float valve or something.

While it was running I held my ear close to the engine and I could hear what sounded like the timing chain. Should I be able to hear the timing chain circulating or does this represent a problem?

If you listen hard enough you can hear the timing chain in the engine, that is normal, unless it is loud and very noticeable.

The only thing I can think of is that the battery is new but the last owner didnt seem to fill it properly and never charged it fully. Would this cause these problems?

Normally, the engine will run and idle properly with a bad battery. However I would get a good battery installed, just in case, before cleaning the carb. It's hard on the charging system to run them long without a good battery installed, anyway. If the problem persists after installing a good battery, then I would clean the carb.

 

[tomgodd]

Sounds like a carb issue. Clean the carb.


The timing and valve trane is load on Honda and most aircooled bikes/quads. I don't think the battery is the problem as far as it running. I would not run it without a battery that much. Its hard on the charging system.

 

[tomgodd]

Owell, Helmut gave you the same but better answer. LOL!

 

[Helmut]

I just remembered those have an electric fuel pump, so the problem could be something to do with that. I would make sure the fuel pump is pumping good, also.

 

[Helmut]

Owell, Helmut gave you the same but better answer. LOL!

Just a little quicker. LOL. We must have been typing at the same time. LOL.

 

[tomgodd]

Well your info is better. The electric fuel pump and a dead battery. Possible issue.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Well one thing I know about this bike is that it charges the coil for the spark plug direct from the battery not from the alternator (supposedly provides a more powerful spark at low rpm's). Thats why I thought it could be battery related... I guess I'll tear the carb off tomorow and clean it up, there goes most of my sunday :tongue: . Still have that oil leak by the way, looks now like its coming from the valve cover... oh the joys of owning something as old as I am...

 

[tomgodd]

Leaks happen on new ones aswell! LOL! Mine was leaking once out of the valve cover. THe Oring pinched during a valve adjustment. Mines an 07

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I thought it was just out of the valve adjustment cap but now it looks like its coming throught the hondabond on the cover itself...

 

[Helmut]

Well one thing I know about this bike is that it charges the coil for the spark plug direct from the battery not from the alternator (supposedly provides a more powerful spark at low rpm's). Thats why I thought it could be battery related

I wasn't aware of that. If that's the case, then the battery could very well be the problem. Most ATVs have a separate coil on the stator that generates power for the ignition. I would try putting a good battery in first.

 

[tomgodd]

That sucks!!!!! Just take some extra oil if its not leaking that bad.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Check 22-4 on that manual I sent you helmut. It's a DC-CDI system whatever that means.

As for the leak, its not that bad but sitting still it was cooking up a lot of smoke where the oil was dripping on the exhaust pipe lol.

 

[Helmut]

Check 22-4 on that manual I sent you helmut. It's a DC-CDI system whatever that means.

As for the leak, its not that bad but sitting still it was cooking up a lot of smoke where the oil was dripping on the exhaust pipe lol.

Yep, you're right. I would definitely try a good battery first.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Wow you're fast Helmut, I didn't even have time to grab a fresh beer from the fridge before you reposted. :tongue:

 

[Helmut]

Wow you're fast Helmut, I didn't even have time to grab a fresh beer from the fridge before you reposted. :tongue:

LOL. It would have been faster, but for some reason, my internet connection is slow tonight.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Anyway, so I guess I'll pick up a new battery first. When I showed up to pick up the quad from the guy I baught it off he had just finished filling it with acid (hadn't taken the cap off the vent first) and he only charged it for like 10 mins. So when I tried to charge it it leaked acid all over my floor. I'm pretty sure its kaput, its not the right AH rating anyway...

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Oh, and I shouldve said this earlier but I just remembered. When the engine quit it didnt die slowly, it stopped instantly (from idle). Mayve thats normal for quads I don't know, I've only ever worked on cars and they tend to roll to a stop.

 

[Helmut]

Oh, and I shouldve said this earlier but I just remembered. When the engine quit it didnt die slowly, it stopped instantly (from idle). Mayve thats normal for quads I don't know, I've only ever worked on cars and they tend to roll to a stop.

I've really never paid much attention to that, but it's probably where you only have one cylinder versus an automobile with 4 or more cylinders.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Right o, so battery first then the carb. Thats the plan tomorow. Thanks a lot guys