Searching the web after going through my sportsman 400 carb for cold start issues, knowing nothing was wrong with it. I had an idea valves were the issue but this video confirmed my suspicions. In an hour I had them adjusted and the machine started immediately. Thank for the video. As an aside I used an .008 feeler and torgued the jam nuts with the feeler in there. This yielded the .006 clearance without having to try and hold the stem with a flat blade while tightening the jam nut.
Great video, thanks! Did adjusting you valve lash improve cold starts? I have a Sportsman 500HO that runs fine, but struggles occasionally starting. Thinking I may have a cam/rocker issue.
It totally helped the starting issues we were having. Cold and warm. Night and day difference for us. If you pop the cover off , rotate the engine slowly by hand. If the rocker is always tight , it needs to be adjusted. It’s holding the valve open a tiny bit preventing you from building compression. When off the cam lobe there should be that tiny bit of lash you can feel.
@@keepitsimpleideaguy8676 Thank you! Last question: After they've been removed to make the adjustment, Does the top valve cover, & side access cover need new gaskets, or sealant applied, or neither when reinstalling? Thanks again-
@@ls2005019227 I didn’t buy new gaskets and I don’t think I put sealant on there. For something like that which is easy to get to and doesn’t have pooling oil Behind it, I roll the dice and re-use the gasket without sealant. If it’s not damaged of course. If it leaks, it won’t end your trip, you just gotta clean it up and buy a new gasket. If you are opposed to re-doing the work, then maybe pick up some new gaskets or make a set from gasket material.
@@ls2005019227 the side cover on mine was sealed with RTV. Yes the RTV needs to be replaced. The gasket if intact for the valve cover can be re-used. If not you could replace the gasket or use RTV super black gasket maker.
Nope the front and rear are different cam lobes and operate independently. Leaving feelers in the front (exhaust) will not affect the rear (intake). The manual says to do left front and right front at the same time as well as the left rear and the right rear at the same time for that machine but front a d rear are independent. It’s interesting, I have a Kawasaki that says do them all independently.
Sounds like the voltage is not high enough to fire because the starter is drawing down. Could be lots of reasons. You could try jump starting it. Could be a bad connection or weak battery
On the machine I have in the video I slowly pulled the starter cord. If you don’t have that you’ll need to get to a bolt or nut on either end of the crankshaft to turn. Some machines have an access cap on one side so you can get a socket in there. Some you have to take the whole side cover off. Remember the cam spins half the rotations as the crankshaft in a 4 stroke so you gotta make sure you’re on the right stroke when you do your adjustment. Ie. you will see TDC twice for each full cam rotation
Searching the web after going through my sportsman 400 carb for cold start issues, knowing nothing was wrong with it. I had an idea valves were the issue but this video confirmed my suspicions. In an hour I had them adjusted and the machine started immediately. Thank for the video. As an aside I used an .008 feeler and torgued the jam nuts with the feeler in there. This yielded the .006 clearance without having to try and hold the stem with a flat blade while tightening the jam nut.
That’s awesome! Glad the video helped.
You don't have to do both at same time,each one has its own adjustment!!!
영상이 도움이 되었습니다 감사합니다 ~~
Thank you for your video!
Thanks very helpful video👍
Glad I could help! That’s why I put it out there
How do you know when to do it. And how often should this be done. I have a 2006 runs great do I need to do this ?
Great video, thanks!
Did adjusting you valve lash improve cold starts?
I have a Sportsman 500HO that runs fine, but struggles occasionally starting. Thinking I may have a cam/rocker issue.
It totally helped the starting issues we were having. Cold and warm. Night and day difference for us. If you pop the cover off , rotate the engine slowly by hand. If the rocker is always tight , it needs to be adjusted. It’s holding the valve open a tiny bit preventing you from building compression. When off the cam lobe there should be that tiny bit of lash you can feel.
@@keepitsimpleideaguy8676 Thank you!
Last question: After they've been removed to make the adjustment, Does the top valve cover, & side access cover need new gaskets, or sealant applied, or neither when reinstalling?
Thanks again-
@@ls2005019227 I didn’t buy new gaskets and I don’t think I put sealant on there. For something like that which is easy to get to and doesn’t have pooling oil Behind it, I roll the dice and re-use the gasket without sealant. If it’s not damaged of course. If it leaks, it won’t end your trip, you just gotta clean it up and buy a new gasket. If you are opposed to re-doing the work, then maybe pick up some new gaskets or make a set from gasket material.
@@keepitsimpleideaguy8676 - I understand & really appreciate your help/reply. Thanks-
@@ls2005019227 the side cover on mine was sealed with RTV. Yes the RTV needs to be replaced. The gasket if intact for the valve cover can be re-used. If not you could replace the gasket or use RTV super black gasket maker.
Do you need to remove the feeler gauges from the front side valves before you adjust the rear valves?
Nope the front and rear are different cam lobes and operate independently. Leaving feelers in the front (exhaust) will not affect the rear (intake). The manual says to do left front and right front at the same time as well as the left rear and the right rear at the same time for that machine but front a d rear are independent. It’s interesting, I have a Kawasaki that says do them all independently.
Would you have any idea why my 4 wheeler will start up first pull with rope but won't fire when you use the switch? It'll turn over but not start.
Sounds like the voltage is not high enough to fire because the starter is drawing down. Could be lots of reasons. You could try jump starting it. Could be a bad connection or weak battery
Is it .006 on both sides
👍🏿
What do you have to spin so the T for top dead center is aligned
On the machine I have in the video I slowly pulled the starter cord. If you don’t have that you’ll need to get to a bolt or nut on either end of the crankshaft to turn. Some machines have an access cap on one side so you can get a socket in there. Some you have to take the whole side cover off. Remember the cam spins half the rotations as the crankshaft in a 4 stroke so you gotta make sure you’re on the right stroke when you do your adjustment. Ie. you will see TDC twice for each full cam rotation
Thanks
You have to rotate the engine, using the pull start is the best way to do it