Takes a long time to start the scrambler

[nyfdom]

Amongst my other problems i am having, it seems like the past few times I've gone out, I've had problems starting my scrambler. It takes a good 3-4 minutes to get it started... Is it better to give it gas when it won't start alone or will this flood it? What could be causing this? After I have it started up the first time, the rest of the day is good with no issues at all

[scrambler2010]

Is your choke fully engaging? Do you hold the choke fully out when trying to start? If all eltse is ok you shouldnt need to press the gas when cold starting with the choke. If you have some miles and alot of tanks through you may want to see if your pilot jet is plugged. This is pretty easy to do.

[nyfdom]

Is there a write up on how to check the pilot jet? sorry I'm a total newb. once it starts up the first time its good to go for the rest of the days no issues... just the initial start is a MAJOR pain. This is with the choke engaged and disengaged, no matter what i try its the same thing.

[nyfdom]

on write ups?

[nyfdom]

Any help on this? It's still a major issue.

[Kevin108]

I always give it some throttle when starting. Also, make sure it's in neutral and pull start it to see if it starts quicker that way. How old is your battery? How old is your gas?

[TXRonnie]

It could also be low compression. Once the motor is warm and everything expands the rings or valves are sealing off and the motor will start every time. Could be time for a valve adjustment to get you back up and running. Do a compression test and see what your reading is.

Ronnie

[nyfdom]

Ok, so I cleaned took off the intake ect. and sprayed intake cleaner in and it started instantly, so i took apart the carb and cleaned it out pretty good with carb cleaner and threw in octane booster in the gas for good measures. It seems to start up now ok, but lets see once its been sitting overnight or for a couple days. I think its time for me to pickup a manual for the quad so I can learn a little more about them. Is it hard to do a compression test on them? What should the compression be at? How is a valve adjustment done?

[TXRonnie]

Doing a compression test is real easy. The first thing you will need is a compression guage. You can get one at any auto parts store. You will need to take the spark plug out and screw the hose into the spark plug hole that is connected to the guage. Turn the motor over for a few seconds and see what the reading is on the guage. Do this a couple of times to make sure both readings are about the same. I do it with the throttle closed and with it open. You will get a little higher reading with the throttle open. I am not sure what the reading should be on a 500 Scrambler but i will see if I can come up with a number. Should be the same as any 500 Sportsman motor.
I have no clue how to adjust the valves. I have never needing to adjust them. There was a thread on here somewhere about adjusting valves ut I cannot remember where.

Ronnie

[old 99 sport]

are you turning off gas when your not riding,my friend had one that if he left gas on it would flood engine,very hard to start,then he figured out if he turned gas of it started much easier.