2000 Suzuki Quadmaster 500's, 2 Quads, 2 Problems

[therealjohnsmith]

I just bought these in the fall as a pair and of course they were running awesome with no problems at that time.

1. One of them now will only start with starting fluid. It runs great once it's started, but absolutely refuses to start without a squirt of the good stuff. 
2. The other one starts just fine, but dies after it gets warm. The only way to keep it running is to keep the throttle up. It won't run at an idle, and keeping it running has the throttle too high to shift. 

Any ideas or suggestions are very much appreciated!!!

Thank you,

John from Shelley, Idaho

[MarkinAR]

Both sound like carb issues.  Modern fuel has ethanol and it starts to break down about 2 weeks into it's lifecycle.  When ethanol breaks down it draws water from the atmosphere.  Drain and flush the tanks, clean the carb, refill with fresh ethanol free fuel.  Pretty sure both will be back to normal.

[therealjohnsmith]

I'll give it a shot. Thanks!

[meinsheizer]

Make sure to clean the main jet and the emulsion tube and all its ports. Number 1 issue does seem to be water in the float bowl but also change the filter. Number 2 sounds like valve clearance issues. What's the mileage on the second one. If over 1000 then its past due for a valve lash check. I think it's like .004-.006