[myrandr]

The ATV: 2003 Honda Rancher, 350 ATX Manual Shift

I was having issues with rough idling, would stall out during idle and toward the end of last fall it was leaking gas out of the carburetor drain hose.

It sat for the winter knowing it needed some card work.

Last week I picked up a card re-build kit. Pulled carb out - it was caked with jellied gas, cleaned, replaced all the jets, float valve and float bowl gasket. When I had pulled the air-box, the air filter was soaked in gas - cleaned up and replaced air filter as well.

I should also note: I drained the oil, flushed (with a couple quarts of oil) as I was concerned about fuel in the oil. I replaced the oil filter and spark plug.

When I put the carb back on the ATV it wouldn't fire. Just cranks over. I checked the fuel line, gas flows great. I pulled the plug, shot some fuel in the cylinder, replaced plug and it fired without issue.

I am thinking its either an air breather issue or vacuum issue. While attempting to start I decided to blow into the carburetor breather hose - it fired briefly but sputtered out and I saw gas exiting the air intake side of the carburetor - I am guessing I was pushing more into the card than it could handle.

Any suggestion on what I might have missed / what I should check next? I am truly stumped and don't know what my next step should be. I did pull the card back off after it wouldn't fire to double check stray particles didn't get into it, re-clogging it and the jets were clear, no debris in the carb.

Thank you for any and all help / suggestions.

 

[jdp]

From what you said, something isnt clear yet, if your having to blow in to force fuel, first I'd check ur tank and petcock, things can look clean "for the moment" but turn sour real quick. After that pull the carb again, are you sure you blew it ALL OUT with air, and the idle, and choke circuits are clear? I'd just replace the petcock ant clean the tank if your unsure, the petcocks are cheap.

 

[myrandr]

jdp, thank you for the response.

The petcock is good. If I pull the gas line off the carb and turn the petcock "on" fuel flows and flows really well. Though I will consider replacing, I just can't get local so I am a few days to order one.

The "blowing" is into the carburetor breather line.

I am going to pull the carb again, go back through it thoroughly and air clean again. I am just concerned it's a vacuum issue and I don't know how to test that.

Thank you again for your suggestions. I am baffled by this.

 

[jdp]

jdp, thank you for the response.

The petcock is good. If I pull the gas line off the carb and turn the petcock "on" fuel flows and flows really well. Though I will consider replacing, I just can't get local so I am a few days to order one.

The "blowing" is into the carburetor breather line.

I am going to pull the carb again, go back through it thoroughly and air clean again. I am just concerned it's a vacuum issue and I don't know how to test that.

Thank you again for your suggestions. I am baffled by this.

If you think its a leak leave it all sealed and use ether to find it. Spray around the carb intake seals on the engine side and air filter side if it runs wild or surges when u spray it, that's the issue. If it doesnt then its the carb or clog in the system.

 

[retro]

Is the float level at .73" when you measure as the service manual recommends? Is it an OEM (or Shindy) carb kit, jets and float valve that you installed?

My first thoughts while reading went to a non-OEM float valve (and jets) as a likely cause. If the kit you installed is an aftermarket kit (aka china knockoff garbage) other than Shindy, you'll have to yank those parts out of there and replace them to fix that carb.

Welcome to the forums!

 

[alloutdoors]

I agree with Retro, make sure OEM kit. If you are going to pull the carb, then I would pull the tank and fuel line as well. The same fuel which became problematic for the carb is the same in that tank/lines, so a good cleaning would be warranted. Also, I would just change the fuel line as well.

 

[jdp]

I agree with Retro and alloutdoors.