kvf 400 / prairie 400

[tonyf]

hello, new to this so not sure if this is posted in right place or not? my appologies if it is not.

my atv - 1999 kvf400

my prob, i bought this as a non runner, the engine wants to turn over using both battery and pull cord but doesnt fire up? all i get when i give a bit of throttle is a backfire blowing the carb off the rubber mount from the inlet side of the cylinder.

what i have checked?

Petrol is getting to carb ok, i have drained fuel out of carb.
I am assuming sparkplug must be ok due to backfire?
I have opened top rocker plate cover and checked the rockers are moving at the top end they seem to have movement so are not jammed?
havent checked the exhaust valves thou?
When the carb is off the rubber mount i have placed my hand over the rubber inlet and there is suction when it is turned over.

Question for the guys that know more than me,(which isnt hard) is this likely to be a broken valve? or a timing issue? or something totally different?

If it is a timing issue can i check the valve settings and what should they be?

I am still trying to source a service manual but for this model (looks like i need two a base manual and supplement) no online downloads are avail and i need to make a trip to the dealer, sux really some one needs to make a digital copy of these.

Thanks for your help
Tony

[Ausmarty]

It is possible that you have a blocked jet, backfiring can be caused by leaness, Have you checked them ?

[kc6wfs]

I agree.. Rebuild the carb. I have the KVF400 also. Removing it is easy.

Also welcome!!!

Keep us updated on the problem.....

[tonyf]

Hello and thanks for your posts, I have had a quick look at the carb, drained it, checked primer was injecting fuel and checked needle wasnt sticking, thats about it.

I thought that as fuel was getting to the cylinder and because of the severity of the backfire the problem would of been more than mixture or carb?

I am still waiting for a service manual but once i have it I will strip the carb down and have a look.

thanks again and if anything else comes to mind please let me know

[Ausmarty]

The carb isn't hard to pull apart, just take the bowl of and pop the pin out of the float, uder that youll see the brass jets, just unscrew them and blow them out with compressed air, them spray a bit of carb cleaner in all the holes of the carb and blow it out, make sure you havnt got any loose bits before you blow it out or youll loose them
Follow this link it has everything you need to know
CVK40
Hope this helps

[NorminN.B.]

Can't get that link to work.

[AK82kz440]

Originally Posted by Ausmarty

The carb isn't hard to pull apart, just take the bowl of and pop the pin out of the float, uder that youll see the brass jets, just unscrew them and blow them out with compressed air, them spray a bit of carb cleaner in all the holes of the carb and blow it out, make sure you havnt got any loose bits before you blow it out or youll loose them
Follow this link it has everything you need to know
CVK40
Hope this helps

Here is the site.
'http://members.aol.com/roundr1/CVK40.html'
remove the ' from both sides

[bobbyjim]

I have some factory original KVF400 service manuals. What year is yours. Get back to me on it if you still need a manual.

[tonyf]

Hello thanks to everyone, well what have i done?
checked plug all ok
checked timing valves all ok
had top of cylinder head off valves not stuck
stripped carb down and cleaned

But Still when i try and start it the engine turns over but doesnt run? and if I give a bit of throttle the carb litterally blows of the rubber mount, cylinder end.

Not sure if it is a possibility but someone had mentioned it could be the Electronics? and not mechanical? they say it is sending a control too early or late to fire?

really getting lost in this any help is very much appreciated

Thanks, Tony

[Labluver]

Originally Posted by bobbyjim

I have some factory original KVF400 service manuals. What year is yours. Get back to me on it if you still need a manual.

I'm having the same issue with my '97 KVF400. The starter turns over but I'm not getting any spark to the plug. I think its my CDI unit but I don't want to spend $300 for a new one just to see if that is the problem. From what I've read and been told, there is no way to test this unit. Does anyone know how to test the coil? Bobbyjim, do you still have a service manual? Thanks

[bobbyjim]

I have factory original Kawasaki supplemental service manuals for the '99-'2001 years. I don't have any base manuals left. These manuals are about 140 pages and have chapters on each section of the ATV. Including a full electrical section in which you can check the charging and other components plus pages of wiring diagrams.. But the only thing for the CDI is a troubleshooting chart where you check other items and if everything is working then you replace the CDI.
If anyone wants one of these manuals there $15.00 for the '99 KVF400 and I also have a '99-'2001 KVF400 manual for $18.00. Both plus postage. Email me and I will get right back or a PM.

[Argentum]

I have 1 technical question. I also bought such ATV and unfortunately i don't have manual and dont know what means red lamp between green Neutral and Reverse?

[bobbyjim]

It's the coolent temperture warning light.

I still have a factory original Kawasaki Supplemtal Service Manual for the '99-'01 KVF400C1/D1/C2/D2/C3/D3 Models. It about 140 pages and has 17 chapters. It's $15.00 and $4.00 postage if anyone want it. It's clean and hardly looked at.

[spikenb]

i just bought a kvf 400 4x4 and i want to know any tips or tricks for this unit or anything i should watch out for (new owner)

[Argentum]

Regarding service manual to bobbyjim

Do you accept paypall? and what would be postage cost to Lithuania?