1998 Honda ATV TRX450S Fuel problem

[ultraglide62]

My bullet proof Honda is having a problem. It seems to be running out of fuel. You can start the unit using the thumb activated choke and it will idle perfectly. When you deactivate the choke and drive the unit down the road it will run perfectly for about 3 minutes and then slowly die like it has run out of fuel.
Here is what i have checked:

the fuel filter in the gas tank is clean and operational.
the vent for the gas tank is clear and functioning
the black prime button that is located on the carb does NOT seem to be fuctioning. Normally when you pump it you can feel it build pressure. Now it does not seem to build any pressure no matter how long you pump it.

I have a feeling that the carb needs to be rebuilt and that maybe some of the seals are bad? If anyone ha any ideas that would save me some time chasing this problem I sure would appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks
Ultraglide62

 

[cuddy]

Ultraglide;
I recall that a friend of mine had a similar problem with his Honda ATV a couple of years ago. Eventually the problem was resolved by replacing the battery. And yes I remember thinking (and advising him) that if the battery had enough punch to start the motor it shouldn't be the problem. I still have not reconciled the connection but then I am old enough to relate to coils and points.
Doug

 

[ultraglide62]

WOW! I will try the battery that i have in my other identical machine. I am not holding my breathe that it will fix the problem but it will only that a few minutes to try it out.

If it does fix the starvation problem any idea why the primer on the carb does not build pressure like on my other machine?

Ultraglide

 

[KubotainNH]

I have a TRX250 that whenever it starts running bad I end up cleaning out the carb. Today's fuel is really crappy and gums up carbs quickly. Pretty much need to keep Stabil in them all the time. Mine needs a carb cleaning right now, last I tried it it wouldn't rev at all unless you continually pumped the thumb throttle. Unless the jets are really bad you shouldn't need a rebuilt kit. The gaskets seem to last pretty long but you never know until you dig in. The carbs are pretty simple.