More starting problems with my Pro-Hauler

[LonesomeTriZ]

A while back I had some issues with my 1989 Yamaha Pro-hauler not starting. After some work I found out is had a torn intake. After that it ran fine. I stuck it in the shed and left it alone for a few weeks. When I went out to use it was hard to start again. I sprayed a quick squirt of starting fluid and it started up and ran great. It worked all day with no issues. I would even shut it down for up to an hour and it would start again as soon as I touched the button. I have zero complaints about how it ran that day. The very next day I went out to use it and it would not start for anything. It ran on choke for a few moments but that was it. Since then I have tried a few times to start it with no luck. I do not want to use starting fluid anymore because I should not have to. I think something is out of adjustment in the carb. Any ideas as to what that would be? Maybe the needle needs to be re-positioned, maybe the float it off. If it is the float any ideas how I can find out where it is suppose to be positioned? What about the choke? Is there something with that I should look at?

Here are the specs on my Pro-Hauler:
http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/outdoor/epic_atv/1989_prohauler_small.aspx

[chrs]

How long has it sat? Have you ever rebuilt the Carb? Does your gas cap have a hose on it? Air filter clean? All could be a possible problem

[LonesomeTriZ]

I just rebiult the carb about a month ago. It does have a clear vent tube on the cap. The air filter and the fuel filter have bene replace and serviced recently.

[chrs]

How are your grounds? Is the pitcock clean

[LonesomeTriZ]

The petcock and tank are were cleaned as well.

[chrs]

Do you have a inline filter, if you do, check flow, if not still check flow.

[LonesomeTriZ]

I do and I did. The gas appears to be flowing fine.

[chrs]

I would clean Carb again. Check filter out again. Sounds like a air/fuel issue to me.

[chrs]

And check all connections.

[LonesomeTriZ]

I agree. However, I think the mixture is off a bit. Does the position of the needle have anything to do with it?

[chrs]

The position of the needle will toss it off. But you stated that it worked all day? Sounds like a connection problem to me. Had a 250x acted the same way, turned out to be the wireing harness.

[LonesomeTriZ]

I see, you are correct, it ran great for an entire day.

Owning this quad is like being in an adusive relationship. I keep it because of the good days it has.

[chrs]

When you first tried to start the bike, what did it do?

[LonesomeTriZ]

It just turns over. I do not hear it even trying to start.

[wisconsinite]

Got spark? I assume you've changed the plug? Checked the coil wire?.... But my gut tells me it's in the carb or intake....how's the compression?

[LonesomeTriZ]

Yep, spark is good. I think it is in the carb as well. Maybe the float?

[chrs]

Also check your kill switch. If you haven't, check your spark as recommended.

[LonesomeTriZ]

The kill switch is clean as well. But if was not working right I woul dnot have spark at all.

[chrs]

Sent you a pm

[LonesomeTriZ]

Got it, and replied.

[wisconsinite]

Yep, spark is good. I think it is in the carb as well. Maybe the float?

Hard to say till you tear it down. When you rebuilt it, did you take all the jet tubes out and clean out all the little ports?

[LonesomeTriZ]

Yes. I spent extra time on that area and those parts. I am going to tear deeper into it tomorrow when I get home. There has got to be a reason for this.

[chrs]

Sent another

[LonesomeTriZ]

Got it.

...........

[MTS]

How good of shape is your battery in..? The old pro hauler on the farm growing up..i seem to remember the battry and/or charging system being the culprit of slow, bad starts alot..thing was always on the charger..this was years ago..happen to have a wire diagram? also a compression reading would be nice...seem to remember them burning out oil pumps n camshafts...among other things...

[LonesomeTriZ]

I just got in from working on the Pro-Hauler. When I tore it down the last time I noticed the seal above the slide was bad. So I replaced it. It was a little thicker, but I did nto think it would make that much of a difference. Well, I was wrong. Instead of pulling the carb apart agin I pulled the slid eout first. I moved the pin needle down one notch, put it all back together and it started fine. I shut it off several times and it starte right back up with out choke. In the next few days I am goinf to pull it out to get some work done and we will see then if it is finally repaired. I am still confused on why it started and ran great for one day but not after that.

[wisconsinite]

Good luck, it would be great if it's something simple!

[LonesomeTriZ]

For a change...

[volfan537240]

Low compression would make it slow to start and cause idle issues. If it started with starting fluid though, I'd say its a carb problem. Could be bad gas. I've seen ethanol gas go bad in a couple of weeks. I run ethanol free in my toys for this very reason.

[LonesomeTriZ]

I need to tracvk down a station that sells ethanol free gas.