ATV won't start in winter

iFishDurr · Feb 8th, 10, 08:43 PM

I do choke it and I do hold the throttle down when starting it, too. It's just so damn cold blooded. Example - I was going to go ice fishing, so I took it out of the garage the night before and loaded it up on the truck. It started after about 2 full minutes of using the electric start and then on the second pull it caught. Had the choke on full and throttle depressed fully. It warmed up after two minutes and I used the lights on it to line up the ramps. It was about 20 degrees out with no wind.

The next day I drove it to the boat ramp and tried to start it (was going ice fishing). After 1/2 hour, I gave up on it. Cranking, pulling, nothing. It was about 20 degrees out, but with a windchill of 5 degrees. It was sunny, though - so after ice fishing, I tried to start it with the pull start and it started on the second pull.

Do you think there is still an issue with the carburator? Has anyone used starting fluid to assist? Or how about heat tape to keep the engine block warm? I'm up for any ideas. Or a trade - someone could keep this in a heated garage and be fine.

My plan was to restart it on the ice every hour just to make sure I could get back!

Darth Mudder · Feb 8th, 10, 09:15 PM

wow that's pretty bad. I've had trouble through the years, usually I give up and take it to an authorized service center and have them tune it. Almost always works. I will say though that my honda has been surprising me this winter, first winter I haven't had a garage, and it starts with one tap of the electric start even without the choke unless it's below freezing, and then with the choke it starts really quick too

Dan · Feb 9th, 10, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iFishDurr

I do choke it and I do hold the throttle down when starting it, too. It's just so damn cold blooded. Example - I was going to go ice fishing, so I took it out of the garage the night before and loaded it up on the truck. It started after about 2 full minutes of using the electric start and then on the second pull it caught. Had the choke on full and throttle depressed fully. It warmed up after two minutes and I used the lights on it to line up the ramps. It was about 20 degrees out with no wind.

The next day I drove it to the boat ramp and tried to start it (was going ice fishing). After 1/2 hour, I gave up on it. Cranking, pulling, nothing. It was about 20 degrees out, but with a windchill of 5 degrees. It was sunny, though - so after ice fishing, I tried to start it with the pull start and it started on the second pull.

Do you think there is still an issue with the carburator? Has anyone used starting fluid to assist? Or how about heat tape to keep the engine block warm? I'm up for any ideas. Or a trade - someone could keep this in a heated garage and be fine.

My plan was to restart it on the ice every hour just to make sure I could get back!

theres gotta be a problem.....

Mayhem · Feb 9th, 10, 02:52 PM

Use 10W40 oil so it will crank freely and a shot of starting fluid.
If I leave mine out in the cold its a little finicky but starts after 10 seconds or so.

toodeep · Feb 9th, 10, 03:38 PM

Mayhem forget the starting fluid and use your primer, it's there for the really cold starts.

Darth Mudder · Feb 9th, 10, 08:12 PM

Have you tried fuel additives that contain antifreeze? I've never needed anything, but I've heard they actually help, and the thinner oil I've also heard is good.

iFishDurr · Feb 10th, 10, 07:08 PM

Yes, I've added dry gas to it many times. That still doesn't do anything. It also has the thinner oil in it. Once it gets started, its fine. It even needs to be choked in the summer time. Maybe bringing it to a dealer is good, but what would they even do? Clean out the carburator? I don't know what they can really do. It's such a nice machine.

If anyone has used heat tape or thinks it should take a visit to the dealer, please let me know! I'm looking for answers.

When I did get it going, man - it was awesome! I took a ride across a lake and back. I'm up in Northern NY and all the inland lakes have about 10" of ice on them. I was out there with trucks and stuff. It is fulltime 4WD and I was gripping it pretty good. It was at least a 10 mile ride. And it was fun!

iFishDurr · Feb 10th, 10, 07:08 PM

Oh, and there is no primer. Anyone really use starting fluid? If so, where do I spray it?

ridermark · Feb 10th, 10, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iFishDurr

Oh, and there is no primer. Anyone really use starting fluid? If so, where do I spray it?

if you're really goin to do that find the air intake tube to the filter box and spray some there.

scott7493 · Feb 11th, 10, 01:31 PM

I'd be carefull using starter fluid on a small single.
If your machine has a petcock, see if it has a prime setting. (prime, on, reserve) It may be using the old style which is off, on, reserve. I ask because I've owned Suzuki motorcycles that you had to throw to the prime setting for 15 secounds (inline 4) if you let it sit for long periods or in really cold weather.