Suzuki LT-F160 Quad Runner does not seem to run long on Reserve

[Rich1028]

Suzuki LT-F160 Quad Runner does not seem to run long on Reserve

was out  riding and when tank got low,it ran funny,so we switched it over to reserve ...it ran for awhile then no more .

pulled it back to parking lot,filled it up started and ran ok.

what do I look at first?

the valve,or is there a separate fuel line leading to the valve?

[Frank Angerano]

The reserve inlet is part of the gas petcock. If you were to remove it there is a long and short screen. The longer is for the on setting and short for reserve setting obviously. So my guess is the screen in the reserve pick up screen could be blocked, or the small port on the petcock behind the valve is clogged.   You would see two screws where the on off is shown.  They come off and the valve cover comes off and you can inspect.  But he careful because once you open that up they are hard to get back together without leaking again due to the old gasket coming off and going back on.   

Ive always drained the tank and pulled the gas line off. Put a new long hose like theee feet and clear on the petcock and put it on the reserve and blow into it and see how freely it flows.  Same with the on setting and see if there is a difference.   If there is an obvious difference then take that long hose and  hang it up higher then the tank and spray carburetor cleaner in the hose until it fills up.  The pressure in the hose will keep pushing the dirt into the tank and freeing it up.   Then it’s just a matter of putting a little gas in the tank and flushing it.  

Edited September 2, 2019 by Frank Angerano

[Rich1028]

well I removed the fuel line from the valve to carb.  first let it drain in the normal position and switched it to reserve,no difference in flow,but when main side got lower it came out slower,and when I switched it to reserve it continued to flow slow.

so for this next trip out,which is Sat. I'll bring along a gallon of fuel to keep it above the reserve .

 

no time to mess with the valve at this time,but thanks Frank Angerano for the reply!

Edited September 6, 2019 by Rich1028