I never have worried about it and never had an issue (knock on wood) but I’ve got friends who swear by it… Am I lucky I’ve never had an issue? How about running it until it dies to get all the fuel out of the carb?
Just curious on others experiences/opinions.
Thanks
Will
The only time was when I had a sled years back with faulty needle seats in the carbs. It would flood when sitting if left on whether trailered or not.
Never seen nor heard of an issue from anyone and I have been a full time sledder since 94.
I dont even have a fuel shutoff on my quads.
I only run the fuel out of my equipment when setting up for storage. I cant even imagine doing it as standard practice if you use them once in a while. It takes forever to prime them again. At least 25 pulls on my sleds and that aint easy.
What’s a carb? Isn’t that something I should eat less of?
Will,
My Honda 4 wheeler is a 2004 with carburetors. When I bought it new, the dealer told me to always shut off the fuel when not using. Apparently the needle valve is extremely small and any debris could block it open, causing the crankcase to fill with gas. Not a good deal!
My guess would be that any of the newer ones with fuel injection would not have this issue. I have buddies that have never shut their gas off and not had any problems, but to me, the extra safety is worth the preventive failure of the engine. That is my very limited knowledge on this.
What’s a carb? Isn’t that something I should eat less of?
I buy my electronics new and my ATVs used 
Mine are a 2001 Rancher and 2004 Foreman both with Carbs… My question is related to the fuel story that Mr Elk is referring to. I’ve heard the same from others as well but never actually seen it happen.
I have a 97 Polaris Snowmobile and have had this issue for a long time. I turn the gas off when trailering all the time. I turn the gas off if I stop for beer. Otherwise, I it will most likely be flooded. I’m sure my carbs need work, but it seems to run fine and it is easy to turn the gas off. I’ve had the gas fill the crank case and damn near broke my hands when I tried pulling the rope to start it. I have the same issue with my lawn mower. If I don’t shut off the gas, it will be flooded.
Sorry. Not allowed to delete posts yet so I had to leave a scrap.
If I’m trailering my quads (Polaris Sportsmen; ’95 and ’97) I will shut the fuel valve off. Two years ago, while towing back from Mille Lacs, I didn’t shut the fuel valve and when I got home, the airbox was completely full of gas and leaking all the way home. Needle failed in the carb. Better safe than sorry.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bzzsaw wrote:</div>
Sorry. Not allowed to delete posts yet so I had to leave a scrap.
WTH – Mike. I can only imagine what you posted.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>suzuki wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bzzsaw wrote:</div>
Sorry. Not allowed to delete posts yet so I had to leave a scrap.
WTH – Mike. I can only imagine what you posted.
I think it was only funny to me!
I would recommend shutting the fuel off if equipped and adding a valve if necessary with anything not efi. Finding a lawn mower with a pool of gas under it was my awakening to this. Every inch of the engine was full so had to drop oil and all. Added a $5 shutoff and never had an issue since. Since installed a valve on my dads rider and use religiously on atv, and anything else applicable. $5 and an easy job is Cheap insurance in my opinion.
Will,
My Honda 4 wheeler is a 2004 with carburetors. When I bought it new, the dealer told me to always shut off the fuel when not using. Apparently the needle valve is extremely small and any debris could block it open, causing the crankcase to fill with gas. Not a good deal!
Filling the crankcase with gas is highly unlikely. On a 4 stroke, if the float stuck open and allowed lots of gas to free-flow into the carb, it can only get into the crankcase if the intake valve happens to be stopped in the open position (very unlikely) AND only then if the rings are very, very shot so the gas can slip by and down into the crank. To be this loose, the engine would have to have almost no compression.
Running the engine out of fuel is a maybe, maybe not.
Some engines are fine with it. Other engines are very sensitive to the varnish that is left behind when the gas is turned off if it’s kept off long enough (or the engine is run) so that the float bowl fuel dries out or is used up and they will be a real PITA to get started again.
As Suzuki pointed out, some engines also can be a real pain to get the fuel flow restablished and get the system air-free on a restart.
Personally, I’d say if it isn’t broke, why fix it? I’ve got a whole shed full of small engines sitting there 24/7 with the gas turned on. Never had an issue with any of them free flowing gas. Sure, anything can happen. Your ATV could get hit with a meteor too.
Grouse
Your ATV could get hit with a meteor too.
What is the recommended prevention technique for that?
toy storage bunker
bunker.jpg
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