[Fordoldfart]

2004 3010 gas. This thing has gotten hard to start when it is cool to cold. I have to choke and grind awhile to start. It acts like it isn’t getting fuel and temperature may or may not have a lot to do with it. Put a new fuel pump and filter on it. Didn’t really help. My question is can this carb drain back or leak down? I see know signs of leaking. And once it starts. It will fire off the rest of the day with just a touch of the key. I did rebuild this carb when i first got it together due to only idling on one cylinder. That took care of that issue and it has started good all summer. Any thoughts or ideas folks.

 

[Qtown]

I don't have a Mule but have a 700 prairie and am getting tired of the same issue. Above 45 out and it fires right up. Down in the single digits like it is now or even in the twenties and its grind and play with the choke till it fires up. Mine is 100% stock. Folks will suggest its the valves being to tight, yeah they should be checked. Ive done mine 4 times with no better starting and it runs fine once its going and will do 62 mph. Spark is nice and blue, the electrics check out within spec when tested,bla,bla,bla.
Pull your plug when your in a crank and crank mode, and I'll guess you'll find its drown with fuel like mine. If you don't choke it it will NEVER start. Ive had bikes/atv's and sxs's that the choke actually raises the rpm when its set and you fire it up and will stay there as it warms up. Neither of the 360's or this 700 do that, its get it running and take the choke off or its drowns it. I tore my carbs down again last night, checked everything, cleaned them, new plugs, stretched the choke springs as suggested, polished the choke plungers and still the same BS. Its getting old. Time for a FI atv I think. BTW, A big can of Ether is your friend.
Rant over.

 

[Fordoldfart]

Thanks for the reply. I haven’t run the valves yet. Pretty big pita to use ether on these hard to get to.

 

[Jeremy-WI]

Check compression

 

[Fordoldfart]

Ran the valves the exhaust where spot on. Intakes where just a tad loose .014 set them .010 per manual.
Checked compression when I got this motor. It was 180 psi and every even.

 

[Mule055]

is your choke closing 100%?

 

[Fordoldfart]

Ok an update. Put a new carb on the engine ( that’s a story in itself) didn’t really help. It does run better. Then I set the choke per the shop manual. Two days now it has started just like it should. Quite a procedure to set it. We have some pretty cold weather coming in the next few days I will see how it acts.
Thanks for you all’s input.