Honda Rancher trouble....

[dos gris]

My Rancher seems to have a tuff time warming up. I choke the bike and it starts up with no problem...push in (lower) the choke about half way for 10 or 15 seconds and then push the choke off. After that, the bike eventually kills. Even if I get into first gear and take off real fast (not giving it the time to idle down and kill) it sounds like it wants to make a small back fire. After I get though the first say 10 or 15 minutes then the bike runs and idles fine unitil it goes cold again.

Anybody familiar with this problem? Carb./fuel related??

[torch]

Dos the spring in your choke cable is broken. Honda hasn't recalled it yet but i have seen around 20 of them do it.

[duckhuntalot]

My brother-in-law at Henry Honda in Kosciusko said that you need to run premium gas in your bike and probably replace the plug. He also stated that a Champion plug will not stay with the bike. Lastly, draining the bowl on the bottom of the carb is not a bad idea. These bikes sometimes become cold natured.

Not to question Torch on his comment but if the choke cable was broken, the bike would not idle at all when at normal temp.?

[dos gris]

already replaced the plug.

[dukdawgn]

If the bike will not idle normally at cold temperatures, but will idle at warm temperatures, then you are not having problems with carbs. The carb doesn't heat up with the cylinder head, it just merely provides it with the fuel needed to burn off the compressed air brought in from the intake valve. If you are getting backfire, you possibly have a too small a gap or even a closed-off gap in the top of the spark plug. A closed gap will produce backfire at any temperatures. Also, check to ensure the plug wire is fully entact from end to end, and that it is fully pressed onto the plug. If you have a gap between the plug wire boot and the plug, then you will get bad performance at idle, that is noticeable at idle and is present, but not so noticeable at warmer operating temperatures.

I would advise running an NGK spark plug, with some carbon/water burning additives, to clean the fuel cell and filter and get the bike to spark at a hotter temperature.

[oldriverhunter]

The little backfire you are hearing is called a lean pop, meaning that the motor is not getting enough fuel. A cold motor requires a little more fuel to idle. If it is really a problem a larger main jet will correct it. If you increase the jet by one size you should be able to get rid of the cold running problem. Sounds like just need to run it with the choke on for a little while, it will not hurt anything. Running premium gas will not help. Octane is a reference to the fuels ability to resist detonation. Actually premuim fuel will make the engine operating temperature lower. Hope this helps.

[torch]

Dos check the spring in the choke cable!!! I bet it is broken in at least 2 places

[dukdawgn]

a clean and proper functioning fueling system should not need the aid of the choke mechanism. Not to say i haven't used the choke before, but the weather here isn't cold enough to actually need one. I'm sure my differing thoughts comes from my polaris having twice the size carb as the rancher, so more fuel enters the system, but you are certain to find a problem in the firing. If you had problems with the choke hanging, then you could have a spring/cable problem. But, if it just don't want to get up to speed without backfire or spark knock, then you've got firing problems. Increasing the size of the jets and/or needles will only cause it to burn rich once it does pick up engine temp and run properly. That will lead to saturated spark plugs.

Is it a continuous cutting back or popping problem? you could have a malfunction in the CDI box (rev limiter engaging to quick at lean fueling situations)

[BigGun]

As someone stated above, you are prob. running a little lean. I have extensive experience with carbs on atv's, and had to do a jet change (just the other day) for the very same problem you are having. I don't know how much of a mechanic you are, but on the bottom of the carb you will find a fuel/air mixture screw. A half turn out on this will prob. solve your problem. You will might find a diagram of your carb (and the location of this screw) in your owners manual, and if not just do a search on the web.

I hate to hear that your are another victim of Honda. Can you tell I own a Yammy. My only problem is keeping unbroken axles in my Kodiak.

[no angel]

we have about 15 0f these bikes and the choke is the problem. it is staying choked then flooding at idle after it warms up. i know that is the problem because we replaced ours with the same symptoms and they are all running ok. it will make it pop and spit like it is fire. use ngk plug also. it is hard to replace the cable so you might want to get it done at the dealership.

[dukdawgn]

AH....THE HELL WITH IT!!! when the bike runs out of gas, just go buy another one. Less headache, less hassle. Mix it up a bit. Buy a Polaris, a kaw, an Articpuzzie, and then a Yamaflaw. Do a test to see which one gets the most miles to a tank, and then you'll only have to buy a new bike that less often!! hehehehehehe

[oldriverhunter]

Good posts guys. The backfire that you hear is it actually a backfire or does it sound like it is sneezing? If if sounds like a sneeze you have a lean condition. If it backfires it is loading up on fuel. If that is the case you do have a improper operating choke, or a dirty air filter. Installing a larger main jet will solve the lean condition, providing that your carb is in good clean conditon. Installing the larger jets will not foul your plug if your ignition system is operating properly. Installed one on my to help with larger tires a year ago and recently checked the plug had the tannish brown color that indicates proper fuel air mixture. Not having to use a choke on a cold motor below 40 degrees actually indicates a improper setup. A choke is a cold starting aid, having to use one is normal. Didn't want to step on any toes just trying to help.

[dukdawgn]

no toes stepp'd on here....

but, then action of a choke is to give way for the same amount of fuel to enter the process and to be in a rich fueling setup by cutting, or choking, the air from the whole sha-bang. In essence, it is a cheap attempt to avoid a cold-start injection system. My next wheeler will have a 350 small block chevy with a TPI fuelie system. Then, no mo worries.

[DuckyDan]

Good to see you posting on here, oldriverhunter. Boys, listen to what he says, he knows his stuff.


I'm not sure if I'll be coming home this weekend or not with finals and all going on. They start on Friday and go through next week. Where you hunting this weekend? I think I may have a pretty sweet hookup me and justin are going to hit next week. Drop me a line tomorrow night, or whenever you get this.