sandSStorm
11-03-2008, 11:07 PM
Hey guys.
I just got back into riding and bought me another 400 EX from a friend of mine that had to leave for the military.. Great Quad.
I sold mine about 4yrs ago and got bit by the bug again so I bought this one.
Anyhow to make things short. I own an automotive repair shop and I do all my QUAD mods in my spare time. I know this quad has a 420 piston in it. Just right before going out last weekend I had my hired hand do an oil change and he decided to clean the K&N filter while he was at it. My helper has very good knowledge about auto mechanics but seems to have the worse luck when doing things. He always either forgets a bolt or the part that he installed does not work and has to be returned to the store , get a new one and re install it. He often has bolts that strip or just break. No matter what it is bad luck follows him and I dont know how. Hes been my friend for over 15 yrs so I know the guy well..
Well when he was done I told myself... "I better double check his work" but I desided not to... I told myself that I have to trust him to do a good job..
F ing WRONG!!!
Three hours into riding in the dunes my quad just quit and would not start. It cranked fine but sounded like it was starving for Fuel. After checking spark and making sure the tank had fuel I was baffled... My quad has never had trouble starting. Never... I take very good care of it.. Im the kind of guy that just likes to ride. I dont waste my time racing people, Im more of a trail rider. Anyhow... After trying for a few minutes to start the quad it came to me..... I just had my friend change the oil and clean the air filter... SO I removed the seat and there I saw what seemed to have stopped my heart for a few secconds.... The air filter was not on... It was just laying there.. I immediatly knew what was wrong... I I removed the hose going to the carb and it was PACKED with sand... and I dont mean this miniscule sand... Its almost like pop-rocks.. Very coarse sand..
I loaded my quad and headed home.... sad... but angry..
I have to remove the top end and see the extent of the damage to my cylinder. I know I have to clean the hell out of the carb but Im more worried about the cylinder, piston and valves.
Now my question to you is? If I have to rebuild the head, Should I go ahead and go fullbore and do the 440 kit? Or should I just go one step up on the sleve?
Im keeping this machine, It has been great untill now...
If I go 440, what all will I need? I dont want a race machine, just a dependable midrange power. Any info you may have please share it w me.
Thank you for your time....
Oh and BTW... I fired my hired hand.... My reasoning was. What if that would have been a customers vehicle? I was willing to take my time and teach him how to be a good mechanic, but its more like BAD LUCK with him or carelessness... IDK
If you want things done right, you DEFINETLY have to do them yourself...
Im the only mechanic at my shop again and Im overwhelmed, but you know what? Im glad things are getting done right every time....
sandSStorm
I just got back into riding and bought me another 400 EX from a friend of mine that had to leave for the military.. Great Quad.
I sold mine about 4yrs ago and got bit by the bug again so I bought this one.
Anyhow to make things short. I own an automotive repair shop and I do all my QUAD mods in my spare time. I know this quad has a 420 piston in it. Just right before going out last weekend I had my hired hand do an oil change and he decided to clean the K&N filter while he was at it. My helper has very good knowledge about auto mechanics but seems to have the worse luck when doing things. He always either forgets a bolt or the part that he installed does not work and has to be returned to the store , get a new one and re install it. He often has bolts that strip or just break. No matter what it is bad luck follows him and I dont know how. Hes been my friend for over 15 yrs so I know the guy well..
Well when he was done I told myself... "I better double check his work" but I desided not to... I told myself that I have to trust him to do a good job..
F ing WRONG!!!
Three hours into riding in the dunes my quad just quit and would not start. It cranked fine but sounded like it was starving for Fuel. After checking spark and making sure the tank had fuel I was baffled... My quad has never had trouble starting. Never... I take very good care of it.. Im the kind of guy that just likes to ride. I dont waste my time racing people, Im more of a trail rider. Anyhow... After trying for a few minutes to start the quad it came to me..... I just had my friend change the oil and clean the air filter... SO I removed the seat and there I saw what seemed to have stopped my heart for a few secconds.... The air filter was not on... It was just laying there.. I immediatly knew what was wrong... I I removed the hose going to the carb and it was PACKED with sand... and I dont mean this miniscule sand... Its almost like pop-rocks.. Very coarse sand..
I loaded my quad and headed home.... sad... but angry..
I have to remove the top end and see the extent of the damage to my cylinder. I know I have to clean the hell out of the carb but Im more worried about the cylinder, piston and valves.
Now my question to you is? If I have to rebuild the head, Should I go ahead and go fullbore and do the 440 kit? Or should I just go one step up on the sleve?
Im keeping this machine, It has been great untill now...
If I go 440, what all will I need? I dont want a race machine, just a dependable midrange power. Any info you may have please share it w me.
Thank you for your time....
Oh and BTW... I fired my hired hand.... My reasoning was. What if that would have been a customers vehicle? I was willing to take my time and teach him how to be a good mechanic, but its more like BAD LUCK with him or carelessness... IDK
If you want things done right, you DEFINETLY have to do them yourself...
Im the only mechanic at my shop again and Im overwhelmed, but you know what? Im glad things are getting done right every time....
sandSStorm