Quad won't start in cold. Updated.

I have a 2002 can am bombader outlander that refuses to start at 20 degrees or colder. Anyone have any suggestions pn what the problem is? It starts and runs fine in warm weather.

Did you put winter oil in the crankcase?Does it have a primer?

Shot of starting fluid sometimes helps

Probably need more info. Does it not crank? Crank but not fire? Carb or fuel injected?

It ran in December. Turns over fine. Has a new battery. Fluids were changed in the spring. Has a new spark plug. Does it have a coil? It just seems like it won't fire.

Can you choke the engine when it's cold out?

A little searching leads me to believe this model is carbuereted and has a factory carb heater. When it's cold turn the key on and wait a few minutes for the heater to work. Put the choke on, don't touch the throttle, hit the starter and see what happens.

Had same thing just happen. Wouldn't start except with a shot of starting fluid. Once I got it running put some carb cleaner through it and bought the high octane gas and ran it for an hour pushing snow and no problem since. Was told when that cold any moisture in the carbs from sitting and freezing up will cause this problem.

Most of the time the carbs get heated by coolant lines that run through the carbs and warm as the engine runs. Where did you find this?

In the fall I start running heat in my gasoline and I haven't had problems. Even starts below 0 degrees.

Never use starting fluid .... Never !!!

Battery...mine had problems at -15 to -32. Bought a New battery.

Yes the choke works. I can put some octane booster in it. It has fresh gas with stabil in it. I may push it out in the sun today and hopefully that will warm it enough to get it started.

Run 0-40 weight oil. Makes a huge difference this far north. Tried 5-30 last winter and yanked that out. has to start with 0.

Even the 5 weight just won't let the engine roll over fast enough in the cold.

I'm not familiar with your model of quad, but when our Polaris gives me fits I check the battery connections and will add some gun grease to keep a good connection. In the place of starting fluid I'd suggest a quick shot of WD-40 in its place, you can't get carried away with that as easily. Fresh NGK plugs are handy to have also to swap the old ones. I hope this helps.
Allan

Starting fluid is fine IF not abused. A small mist into the throat will never hurt a thing. But a squirt bottle with gas will also work with no worries. I’ve heard WD-40 works too but never tried it.

Put a lit light bulb under the engine for an hour or three, va-room.

Warm it with a hair dryer,five or ten minutes and my snowblowers fires right up.

The carburator Honda's I have owned don't like to start about 0-20 below, they recommend to use premium gas, I hit the primer if it's slow to fire

I asked the dealer why my Kodiak is so coldblooded and he asked me that very question.

I have read on a few forums that there are carb heaters on the 04 model. Not sure if it is true or if they are on my model, but I'll try it. Want to use this for ice fishing but if it won't start in cold weather why bother.
Update: Just read my owners manual and it does not indicate anything about carb heaters. Or any other information on cold weather starting. States 5-30SAE or 5-40 synthetic. For all weather.

is the new battery of the proper size?meaning did they get you one of the proper specs of cranking amps?synthetic oil in 4 wheelers in cold climates is almost a must.they just start and run so much easier.

Try Red Heet and synthetic oil.

I do that all the time And throw a old blanket over the tank and seat to keep the heat in.

my old Honda's had carburetors and had same trouble..there was primer on side of carburetor but it was a pain in the butt.
when running it in cold weather i would choke it just before shutting it off for the night and next day it would fire right up.

the newer unit has FI and it will fire up in cold no problem

Pushed the quad into the barn and fired up the wood burner. After a couple hours of heat it started right up.

Hair dryer on the carb, as suggested above. At least you know there is nothing wrong. Run some red bottle Iso-Heet through the fuel and maybe some synthetic oil and it should help a lot

I'll PM you my address as I am in South Carolina, you can ship it to me and I'll run it for you. There ..... you are welcome.

Put a trouble light with 100 watt bulb near the carburetor for an hour. I had an old 62 Ford van once that would only start that way.
Or, have your fat girlfriend sit on the seat for an hour.

Sounds good.

I tried an electric blanket last year, helped a little, primer is best way to start it when real cold