ATVs are generally very reliable vehicles. However, as with all electrical and mechanical machines, they are equipment that require periodic maintenance. If you experience engine bogging problems when you press the throttle, don't be alarmed, it's more common than you might think. But why does this happen?
The ATV can have bog down problems when the throttle is applied due to failing parts. The leading causes would be:
- Incorrect carburetor adjustment
- Gas leakage
- Vacuum leakage
- Loose spark plugs
- Cracked spark plug wires
- Faulty ignition coil
It is essential to determine which of all the listed causes could be responsible for the bog down of the engine. Experts usually indicate that the most common reasons are failures in the ATV's carburetor and ignition system. This information is an excellent clue as to where we can start to check for this problem. To understand more about this issue, its causes, and possible solutions, please continue reading this article, and you will find information of interest for the proper functioning of your ATV.
Why Can The ATV Engine Bog Down When I Step On The Throttle?
There is a chance that the engine may stall when you step on the throttle, or it may react a few seconds later. In either case, an engine that hesitates when accelerating means a few things are going on. It's getting more air than it should, it's not getting enough fuel, or it has a problem with its ignition system.
When The Problem Of Bog Down On Throttle Is In The Ignition System
Suppose the problem with bog down on acceleration is in the ignition system. In that case, you have to check the spark plugs, spark plug wires, coils, and fuel delivery system. At this point, we must study the spark plugs and spark plug wires to identify the problem.
When The Problem Of Bog Down On Throttle Is In The Carburetor
Carburetor problems are pretty common on ATVs. It is important to note that some ATVs come with a carburetor and others come with a fuel injection system. The carburetor is a part found on older ATV models. They provide the ideal balance between air and fuel to give the ATV the boost it needs. However, this part can sometimes present failures that are somewhat laborious to fix, especially if the ATV is an older model.
Engine Bog Downs
Recognizing the signs of issues with your ATV is an important part of becoming familiar with it. Engine bog-downs can be of different types and origins. For this reason, we are going to study the most common ones below.
The Rich Bog
The rich bog is a problem that will occur when there is too little air and too little fuel in the engine. In this case, the throttle will feel slow when you press it.
The Lean Bog
We will have a lean bog when there is an imbalance between the ratio of air and fuel in the engine. Unlike the previous problem, we have a lean bog when there is more air than fuel in the engine. Usually, this situation happens when we let the ATV run out of fuel.
How Can We Tell If Our Motor Has A Rich Bog Or A Lean Bog?
The best way to know if the ATV engine is running rich or lean is to use a scanning device. Here is a summary of the steps.
- Connect the scan tool to the port on the ATV engine.
- The scan tool will scan for codes indicating the type of fault.
- The device will emit a check light if the engine is running lean or rich. Unfortunately, this equipment will not tell you the reason for the fault.
Both faults are hazardous. Running rich damages the motor, and running lean can cause it to explode. It is best to be aware that the ATV has the correct fuel to air ratio for all these reasons.
What Engine Parts Could Have A Problem When There Is A Bog Down, And How Can We Fix It?
From what we have seen so far, there can be several reasons why the engine of an ATV bogs down when we step on the throttle. The steps you should follow to diagnose and troubleshoot your ATV are:
- Check the parts. Reviewing each part is the first thing we need to do. Make sure to check for any signs that indicate something is wrong with them.
- Diagnose the part. As soon as the inspection is complete, it will be possible to identify each piece's condition and operating systems to better determine the issue at hand.
- Repairing the part. Once we have the part causing the problem, we can likely re-establish the regular operation of the ATV by providing maintenance.
Parts That May Cause Bog Down Issues
In this section, we will review some of the components we should check for bog down problems.
The Air Filter
There is a possibility that the air filter is clogged or dirty. If so, the engine will surely bog down when you press the throttle. A clogged air filter will cause the engine to have the wrong air mixture.
The Solution
The primary solution is to clean the air filter. If you see a gray coating on the filter mesh, it means that you need to unclog it right away. The other option is to replace it with a new one.
The Gas Tank
It is pretty unusual to find someone servicing the gas tank, which can be a problem for ATVs. When the tank is dirty, it means that there are blocks of compacted gasoline. These blocks prevent enough fuel from reaching the engine and cause bog-downs to occur.
The Solution
The solution is simple, clean the gas tank. You must remove any rust, debris, or particles of any kind. If you notice that the damage to the tank is more significant, the best thing to do is to replace it with a new one.
The Carburetor
With the carburetor, we can find two common problems: that it is dirty or that it is out of adjustment. If either of these two cases occurs, the engine will stall.
The Solution
If it is a carburetor misadjustment, try to adjust the carburetor needle to the correct position. If the problem is that the carburetor is dirty, you should clean it immediately. You can use a specialized spray or disassemble it entirely to do it more comfortably.
Spark Plugs And Spark Plug Wires
If we find ignition problems in the ATV, we will most likely check the spark plugs and their wires. These parts have a useful life that we must check periodically.
The Solution
We have to remove all the spark plugs and look for signs of burning or corrosion. In this case, the best option will always be replacing the spark plugs with new ones. In the case of the cables, we must inspect them and look for cracks. If you find this type of evidence, it is best to replace them.
A Final Thought On Bog Down When Applying Throttle
We have reviewed several possible reasons that could be the cause of ATV bog downs. Maintenance of this type of vehicle will always be the key to preventing any mechanical failure.
Every ATV owner expects to start the vehicle, accelerate and feel the immediate and efficient response of the engine. But if not, the good news is that you already have valuable information that will allow you to diagnose your vehicle quickly.
Keep in mind that if, after performing all the checks, the problem persists, the best thing to do is to take your ATV to a dealer or specialized repair shop.
Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.