Home Forums Gear Horses and ATV's Needle valve

Any of yall had problems with the needle valves in the carbs on your 4wheelers? We're having to replace it, again. We just did this 6 months ago.

It was suggested to me to turn the fuel off when not in use. Haven't had a chance to test that, since its not been running for a few weeks.

I'm thinking the ethanol in the gas is causing accelerated wear?

I can say, with 100% certainty, it makes things a big pain in the arse with these problems

Bingo! It's the ethanol no doubt. Here in Oregon there are a few service stations that sell non-ethanol fuel and while it's close to .75cents/gallon higher than normal unleaded, it money well spent.
If you turn off the fuel, you'll need to run the engine until the supply is empty and it sputters out and dies. One other "benefit" of the ethanol fuel, it has a very limited storage life. The blue colored StaBil fuel additive helps some but not much.

We were talking about the StaBil, gonna add it after we get the needle valve put back in next week.

I hate the thought of having to reprime the system to start the 4wheeler.. it kinda negates the purpose of needing it to gather wayward cows when the Deputy knocks on the door

I think I'll buy stock in needle valves, I'm sure having a few dozen or so on hand, for later use, will come in handy

We, unfortunately don't have any non-ethanol gas anywhere near. But at least parts and such can be written off as a farm expense.

All carbs aren't alike. I have a '99 Kaw that I run with ethanol all the time. I've only overhauled the carb once in all those years and it still run great.

You bring up a good point. This is a Arctic Cat 500 and its had carb issues since the day it came off the lot. Its already been through 2 rebuilds.

Hoping the landowner replaces is with something fuel injected soon. Not as easy to flood out spinnin donuts to chase the cows

I had the replace the needle vaive on my yamaha , won't run right until you do!

Well we replaced the needle valve.. it still aint right..

No more drip drip but its chuggin and sputterin like its got air in the gas lines. GRR!!!

If it was mine, I'd just sell the darned thing and be done w/it.

Fuel filter?

Hadn't thought to check that, though its the logical thing to do. I dunno squat bout these 4wheelers, but I'm learnin, whether I wanted to or not

Of course, dummy me left the key turned over so now the brand new battery is dead Reckon I'll get it all dealt with this weekend.