ATV won't start in winter

[iFishDurr]

Hi all, fairly new here. Just introduced myself this week. Great site, and lots of great people! Anyway, I have an 2005 Arctic Cat 250 manual transmission 4WD that I have had a lot of fun with since I traded my old truck for it. I used it last summer, just for some local trail riding - I probably only went about 25 miles. I noticed when it was colder, it took longer to start. It came with a brand new battery, oil/spark just changed. I also replaced the air filter with a K&N - I put one of these in everything I own. I used it in November to pull a tarp of leaves to the front for pickup from the village (of course, I could have done this with my hands and legs, but was more fun with the ATV) and it took a while to start, but ran fine. I went to use it this week and I got cranking, but no starting - almost like it wasn't getting the gas. Oh, I should also mention that my fuel switch is broken (I use a small wrench) and I just leave it on "ON" all the time. I store it tarped up next to a lean-to structure outside. I've tried everything to get it started, including: dry gas, heating the spark plug, garaging it in a warm garage, using the pull cord, using the compression level for manual start, tapping the electric start while pulling the pull cord. Nothing.

Anyone have any ideas? I took the trade not knowing much about 4wheelers, but liked the idea of the "Arctic" part of "Arctic Cat" since I want to use this for ice fishing on the St. Lawrence River. I even bought a Jet Sled connection kit, and I just cant wait to easily bring my gear out on the ice. I am also considering using it for plowing - nothing major, just my small driveway.

So, anyone have any advice? Should I bring it to a dealer and have them go through it? Like I said, it ran great last month and last summer.

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated! ~ Fish

[Dan]

This is probaly a dumb quesion but you have a chock(did i spell that right?) on it right? Also, can you smell gas after cranking it a while? If not I'd try cleaning the carb, if its not fuel injected. Is it fuel injected?

[toodeep]

I'm going to guess it's a carburated machine. You need to drain the carb and get some fresh fuel in the bowl. Check the spark at the plug, could be fouled and not producing a good enough spark.

[iFishDurr]

Thanks for the replies - what is a chock? Is it a rubber hose that comes off of the engine? And I could not smell gas after cranking it for a while. As far as fuel injection - I do not think so.

If it is the carb, where do I find that?

[ridetoxtc]

choke.......not know where it is? oh no, i cant help with artic cat, but it should be a pull knob with an emblem like.... -.- on it or something similar.

[Dan]

Yeah I ment choke, I just can't spell. If you don't know whether its feul injected or carborated you might want to see someone that can help you like a dealer or a mechanic. Be honest with yourself. If you don't know what you are doing get some help so you don't risk breaking your machine or getting hurt. No offense of course, but if your not sure I think theres classes that teach general atv maintaince and how to fix 'em. Hope this helps! -Dan

P.S- if you have the manual it should show a pic of the choke. It gives the engine more gas than air so it can start when cold.

[iFishDurr]

OK, thanks for the tips. I do know where the choke is, I thought chock was something else (there is a hose that comes off the engine that needs to be checked for dirt, etc from the motor and sometimes does have a little gas in it). It is a carbuerated engine, no fuel injectors. I think it must have something to do with the carb since I've eliminated all other possibilities. I did buy a service manual for it, but it isn't really helpful with the troubleshooting chapter. It shows how to take the carb apart, but I don't know if I am skilled enough to do that.

I'm pretty handy with things around the house - I change oil, plugs, wires, sharpen mower blades, etc - but this one might be beyond me.

I have two choices - an independent mechanic or an Arctic Cat dealer. I'm thinking the dealer will cost too much $ to look at it. Plus, the bastards never called me back after I left a message. LOL.

[gatnfans]

Ask the independent mechanic for references. If their a good one they will be glad to give you some. Also, some independents do work for dealers if the particular dealer does not sell your brand. Most dealers where I'm located work on all makes and models. Also, ask him up front what his charge is for troubleshooting? Some guys will also take that price off the repair price if you have them do the work.

[Dan]

Yeah, I wouldn't hit a dealer for something this simple. Its like a 10 minute job unless you end up soaking the carb in a parts cleaner overnight. They should do a carb cleaning for under 60 bucks. I wouldn't pay any more for that. Every around here does them for about 40-50. Good luck!

[toodeep]

There should be a screw on the bowl of the carb that you can loosen and it will let the old gas flow out of it. I'm a Honda guy so I can't help with any locations but that would be the first thing I tried.