starting 400ex....

[madeincanada123]

how do you start the 400ex in really cold weather? i press the throttle a couple times and i put choke on and it wont turn over. is there a trick or something??? just had it running yesterday so i know its fine

[AtvMxRider]

If it wont turn over you have battery problems

[madeincanada123]

it turns over and everything but its soo cold it wont start. anything to help it??? i wish i had a heated garage =(

[slodsm]

Are you still using the stock pilot jet? If so, that is notorious for causing BAD starting problems in the cold. I went to a 42 pilot and now I don't even choke dead cold at 30 degrees. It fires right up with a bump of the throttle.

[j450rking]

get a 42 pilot jet it will fix your cold starting problums

[js3350z]

i am getting new pipe, so 42 pilot will be going in but befor that (I probably still will even with pilot jet in) put small electric heater by quad a little while befor you want to start it warms up the engine and oil

[madeincanada123]

the carb is jetted to the pipe and the previous owner did it so im not sure what the jet is in it. Its more like 20 degrees here with this jet still do the trick? also will this jet still work in warmer weather or will i have to switch for warmer weather. here in NY it can go rom -20 in the winter to 100 in the summer. also, will this jet work with my pipe??? is there any way to to tell whats jet is in my carb if i take it out? like a marking or something? and lastly will i need to adjust the needle or anything or just change the pilot jet?

[j450rking]

it should be fine for all weather and the jet might have a number on the side of it i know the main dose but i'm not shur about the pilot

[madeincanada123]

ok so now that its all good to go, will i need to change the main jet or the needle if i do this?

[js3350z]

you don't need to unless you are adding performance mods...

pilot just effects idle to 1/8 throttle

[redline400ex]

I've only had a couple times where it was so cold it wouldn't start but I have stock jetting also... I just keep choke on high and wirl till she starts, giving it a couple blurps of the throttle...then when it starts keep the choke half way...the only way I know of making it start forsure is keeping the battery up to charge and keeping it in a heated garage then you'll never have a problem other then that you'll have to jet it ...but my stock jetting is burning the plug perfect when I'm driving down the trail so I didn't want to frig with rejetting since it was working so well....so
#1 Heated garage
#2 Change the jets or
# 3 live with it....lol

[madeincanada123]

so what exactly does the pilot jet do to make it work?

[madeincanada123]

ok, can i put some dry gas in the head to get it started? my friend said that you can put it in the float bowl and itll fire up but i cant do that. so will it work in the head to get it started?

[Slinky]

where do you live in NY that your having trouble starting it? i live at about the most northern part of NY and its like 30 degrees out..no problem starting my 400 with stock jets.

[madeincanada123]

Originally posted by Slinky
where do you live in NY that your having trouble starting it? i live at about the most northern part of NY and its like 30 degrees out..no problem starting my 400 with stock jets.

I am in Syracuse, its warmer today (35) but it still wont turn over. I dont have the stock jets in I have ones jetted to my lrd exhaust. it just doesnt turn over....i dont no and i cant change the jets because the idiot who owned the quad before me stripped the bolts on the carb. maybe ill take it to the dealer and let them deal with it. is there any way to get stripped screws out (there not completley stripped tho


could the high compression piston have anything to do with this?

[400exmatt]

Use a dremel and cut a slot so u can use a flat head screw driver to get them out. Or u can try and a philips and turn it while hitting the screw driver with a hammer.

[madeincanada123]

Originally posted by 400exmatt
Use a dremel and cut a slot so u can use a flat head screw driver to get them out. Or u can try and a philips and turn it while hitting the screw driver with a hammer.

thanks that makes sense...the guy i got if off of started it the other day so im makin sure theres not a trick to it and if theres not ill change the pilot or just wait a little for warm weather