Pickerington, OH (1/15/2009) - We have received a number of questions from riders with problems getting their ATVs started.

To get advice, we went to Bud Fischer, owner of Fischer Cycle Sale in Ashtabula, Ohio, and promoter of the FMF Dirt Track ATVA Nationals race held in Ashtabula in July. He can be reached at (440) 997-4166. He says:
We get a ton of calls from hunters, people who only use their ATV to push snow or just let their ATV sit in the garage for several months.

When we find an ATV that is difficult to start, or idles only with the choke fully engaged and then dies when you turn off the choke, look at carburetor.
The problem is normally the carb’s low-speed jet is clogged. The gasoline reacts with the metals in the carb and forms deposits, which clog up the very small passageways.

If your ATV has been sitting without being run for a long time, the gasoline in the tank may have gone bad as well. Remove the gas cap and if you don’t get that normal gasoline smell, drain the gas.

If it’s only been a few months since you started the machine, turn off the fuel supply valve and then locate the drain for the carb float bowl. Place a pan under the ATV to catch the gas and open the drain, normally with a small screw driver.
After draining the bowl, turn the fuel supply on, allowing fresh gas to flow out the drain tube. Close the drain valve completely.

Now cross your fingers and try to start your ATV. If this didn’t work, then the carb will need to be removed and thoroughly cleaned.

The good news is, ATVs with fuel injection rarely have this problem because the fuel injectors are under high pressures, which helps keep the fuel flowing correctly. ATVs with carburetors have to rely on vacuum to pull gas through the low speed jet.

Fighting for your Rights All Terrain Vehicle Association P.O. Box 800 Pickerington, OH 43147-0800

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