1999 Suzuki King Quad 300 - Floods~Won't Start

[New2Quads]

I went to start my '99 King Quad today and it fired up and ran rough, very rich.

It's cold out so I wasn't surprised and figured it would warm up and run smooth like it usually does. It's been running a little rich but is fine once it warms up.

Instead of warming up though it died. I couldn't get it restarted so I took it down to the garage and pulled the spark plug, it was covered in gas.

So I let it dry out and tried starting it again. It wouldn't fire and the plug was soaked again.

I took the carb off, cleaned it, took the bowl off and sprayed it all down. Didn't see anything out of the ordinary but I couldn't get the float out to check the needle.

I put it all back together and got the same results; the spark plug gets soaking wet.

So it seems to me that either the float has a hole in it (but the float wasn't full of gas when I took the carb apart) and is sinking or the float needle is not sealing (this is what I suspect) and gas is just pouring into the bowl.

Am I on the right track here?

It looks like the shaft that holds the float on is peened over on the end opposite the end that has a head on it, is that correct? I wasn't able to just pull it out as I'm used to doing. Any tips on getting the float out would be great.

Thanks for the help!

Edited December 31, 2012 by New2Quads

[bobs66440]

Do you know for sure you are getting spark? This almost sounds like an ignition problem to me.

If the float had a hole in it, it would be full of fuel, and if the needle was stuck open I would think that the carb would overflow with fuel and spill into the engine. If that is the case, you would have a lot of fuel in the oil or at least on top of the piston. If you tried to start it in that case it would hydro-lock and likely bend a rod. Next time you try to start it, pull the plug, try turning it over and see if fuel shoots out of the spark plug hole.

Did you check the float height adjustment? It should be about 1/2" or level with the flat part on the aluminum body where the cover mounts. You can check if the needle is seating properly by blowing into the inlet (make sure its clean) and moving the float up and down to see where in the travel it closes (blocks you from blowing air). If it never closes or closes way too low, then you have your answer.

I just had mine apart but never tried to remove the float, so I dont know what the pin looks like. Sorry. But I found a float kit on ebay and the pin just looks straight on that end. I dont know why it would be peened over...

http://compare.ebay.com/like/140885671419?_lwgsi=y&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

Edited December 31, 2012 by bobs66440

[New2Quads]

I better check for spark before going any further.

Last winter I spent countless hours checking over the fuel system on my car because it was flooding, finally I took it to the shop and it turned out to be the cap was burned and creating a weak spark.

I do not seem to have fuel pouring into the cylinder but I will get a closer look, it definitely isn't coming out the carb overflow.

Thanks for the tip.

[bobs66440]

Ok. If fuel isnt coming out of the overflow then thats probably not it. Keep us posted

Edited December 31, 2012 by bobs66440

[New2Quads]

Well that was it; no spark.

Does the manual have instructions for checking the ignition system?

I suppose there are resistances I can check on the coil, not sure how to check the stator.

[New2Quads]

Well I suppose it's not the stator since the battery is still charged.

Is it 100 - 200 ohms across the coil?

[bobs66440]

Glad you found it, but Im not real good with the electricals on these. Sorry. I have a service manual so Ill check to see if theres a troubleshooting subject for this.

[bobs66440]

It has a lot of troubleshooting info...way more than I can type here. You would be better off downloading the manual. Good luck.

Happy New Year!

[Goldman]

I had the same prob. Lots of fuel but wouldn't start.

You may be digging too deep.

How did you check for spark?

I just solved the starting prob.

Pulled the plug and grounded it against the engine.

No spark. I put in a new plug and she starts right up.