Quantcast
Jump to content

1988 suzuki quadrunner 250cc 2x4 (LT-F250) not starting

mmmPUDDIN

By mmmPUDDIN
in Suzuki ATV Forum

 Share

Recommended Posts

mmmPUDDIN Newbie

mmmPUDDIN

Posted
Posted (edited)

I've had this machine for 2ish years, has ran great up until winter. Sometime during then, I managed to break the exhaust right before the muffler. The summer before it had a hard time idling, but we fixed it by cleaning the carb, and messing with idle. Near the end of last year, the only way for it to fire was the have full choke, and full throttle, and the engine bogged down and you had to keep on throttle for 25mins. Over winter, the throttle had dislocated, and I got it back in place. We got it running, and all was good. Spring came along, and now it doesn't start at all. A fluid is coming out of the exhaust, and I'm told it could be water from over winter. I checked the airbox, and the air filter isn't for this quad, it also is barely sucking air. There appears to be little to no compression, based on this. I'm pretty sure the engine is flooded, as the spark plug produces a spark, but is oxidized. I don't know how the previous owner treated it, or when it's last oil change was. A bolt on the engine has either oil or gas seeping through it,abd was loose. I tightened it and it consisted. The engine is basically positioned in the rear, and it needs a good clean, I don't have a pressure washer, so I can get the built on dirt off. any recommendations on how to get the beast started again?

Edited by mmmPUDDIN
Cj Winds Contributor

Cj Winds

Posted
Posted

Fluid from the exhaust could be gasoline, did you replace any parts in the carb? If not, buy a rebuild kit, they can be found on ebay for under $30. The float on the carb is probably leaking and flooding the engine. Check the engine oil too see if it is too full, if its too full it might have gas in it. You will need to replace the engine oil and filter if the oil is mixed with gas.

mmmPUDDIN Newbie

mmmPUDDIN

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 5/5/2019 at 11:05 AM, Cj Winds said:

Fluid from the exhaust could be gasoline, did you replace any parts in the carb? If not, buy a rebuild kit, they can be found on ebay for under $30. The float on the carb is probably leaking and flooding the engine. Check the engine oil too see if it is too full, if its too full it might have gas in it. You will need to replace the engine oil and filter if the oil is mixed with gas.

I recently cleaned it, but didn't replace any parts. Again I don't know if the previous owner did, as I'm unfamiliar with this carb and engine. The oil doesn't look too high, but It could be mixed with gas, I will check 

  • 2 months later...
mmmPUDDIN Newbie

mmmPUDDIN

Posted
  • Author
Posted

UPDATE: after more digging I found these possible sources for my problems: it could be a timing chain or a stuck valve causing the problem. It could also be the carbs float needing to be replaced, or a vacuum line getting fuel from a failed diaphragm (forget the name). Will keep you posted for updates

Attached video of me starting it in jan/feb

David Peterson Apprentice

David Peterson

Posted
Posted

Suggestions. go back to basics. check the compression, spark, if the compression is not right the start there, find out why. Check the valve clearance's, check timing. if all that's not right it doesn't matter about everything else. 

One thing I have found through out the years on spark plugs is, if the item is a Japanese type import use nepond denso or NGK plugs only. Champion spark plugs don't play well in them.  Yet champion plays well in small lawn and garden equipment.  I had a Yamaha bike that had two spark plugs holes. Put brand new champions in it and it wouldn't run for nothing, put an old worn out ngk in it and it ran, Put a champion in one and ngk in the other and the ngk worked with out any problems, Champion didn't run at all. Tried more than one and from different vendors too. That is just one instance I've had among many, so that's why i say that about spark plugs.

If all that's good then move to the fuel side of things, Suzuki uses vacuum operated fuel pumps and in some a vacuum operated fuel petcocks. A leaking diaphragm in any of those can dump fuel straight into the engine. Making you think the carb is the issue. Clamp off the lines, check for fuel in the lines. I do see these items fail more than you think, more so on the older atvs. Trash getting to and into the fuel pumps kills the diaphragms. 

Once you get it to run, change the oil before you test ride it. the gas will damage the bearings and the centrifugal clutch. . Oil is cheap compared to the damage.

Hope some or all of this helps.

  • Like 1
  • 2 months later...
mmmPUDDIN Newbie

mmmPUDDIN

Posted
  • Author
Posted

UPDATE: i working on replacing the carb, and changing the oil, as from it sitting the oil level is very diluted by gasoline. other sources say that all of my problems are most likely the carb being toast, as the problem wasnt sudden, it gradually had gotten worse the more it was used. will keep posted.

  • Like 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Similar Forum Topics

    • AnthonyT
      First time ATV buyer
      By AnthonyT
      In search of my first ATV? What are good older 4x4 models?
    • Dumass
      '03 Honda Sporttrax 400EX Carb issue.
      By Dumass
      My name says it all. I have a '03 Honda Sporttrax 400EX with a new aftermarket carb on it that seems to be having issues. I can start it but it idles really rough and when I give it throttle it just kills the engine. I have tried adjusting the idle screw but to no avail. I am in the San Diego Ca area. 
      Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I would also like to get an owners manual for the thing too but can't seem to find a downloadable one.
    • Trent Finnessey
      400ex with 450 carb??
      By Trent Finnessey
      So I’ve got a 2000 Honda 400ex absolutely love it!! I’ve had it for about a month, I ride with bruteforce 750’s, outlander 850’s and 1000 sxs’s and I was thinking of getting a trx450r carb and a full hmf exhaust. And probably doing the air box mod too, how much power would this give my 400? Just a little different or a big difference? Cuz if it’s not much of a different I’ll just stick with my dg slip on..... thanks!
    • DPDISXR4Ti
      2003 Kodiak Leaking fuel from drain hose at bottom of carb
      By DPDISXR4Ti
      I hadn't driven my Kodiak for a two months, and since it was low on fuel, the first thing I did was filled it up to maybe 7/8 full. Getting ready to start it, I rotated the fuel selector switch to "on" and within seconds I smelled and saw fuel dripping onto the floor. I quickly turned it off and the fuel gradually stopped - I can repeat this.
      The fuel is flowing from the hose that is connected to the bottom of the carb, and routes around to the left side toward the wheel well. Any idea what's going on here? It ran fine the last time I had it out.
      Thanks...
    • jhamrick75
      bayou 220 carb cleaning, running lean
      By jhamrick75
      If anyone is having issues with the Mikuni VM24SS carb, I thought I would post what issues I had and how I resolved them.
      Acquired a 93 Bayou 220 that had sat for over 4 years.
      The carb was extremely corroded and pitted and full of leftover fuel.
      Cleaned carb and bowl and was able to get the engine to start.
      Within 30 seconds exhaust would heat up and start to glow red hot.
      Removed carb and recleaned everything, including a second overnight soak.
      Needless to say, after removing the carb for the 5th time and my frustration to the limit I
      realized that my attention had been to the carb body and not to the bowl.
      There is a small brass rod on the bottom of the carb that goes down into the float bowl but is seperated from the main section. I had cleaned that area very well....I had thought.
      ***The corrosion had sealed off the channel that runs from the main bowl section to the small tube section on the side of the float bowl. No amount of carb cleaner was going to get it to budge. So i took a small nail and started to scrape away the corrosion and was eventually able to dislodge enought of the corrosion that carb cleaner would flow through that channel. ***
      I thoroughly cleaned each side of the channel in the float bowl and reinstalled the carb and now the issue of it running lean is gone.
      On a second note the fuel mixture screw was a nightmare to remove as the threads had been corroded and wouldnt let the screw come out. I used a little cutting oil and worked the mixture screw in and out until I was able to push past the corroded threads and completely remove the needle. After a couple passes with a tap to clean the threads it is like new again.
      Hope this helps if you are having a lean running machine.

COMMUNITY SECTIONS

ATV FORUMS

QUADCRAZY MEMBERSHIP

Be a part of best online community of ATV riders and join thousands of people who love ATVs! Share your ATV photos, videos, ATV rides, get help with your ATV and more. Not a member?

SIGN UP TODAY

ADVERTISE WITH US

FOLLOW US ON

  • Automotive Webmaster
×
×
  • Create New...