Cannondaleriders

Recently I have been having problems with my Cannibal. The motor is in good working order and was running good before the winter. Now when riding the 4 wheeler it seems to hesitate or lose power when I'm in the middle of getting on it. So for example I am driving it and then I gas it (wide open throttle) and it will hesitate and start slowing down but shortly pick back up. Also, when this happens it backfires sometimes. I was thinking it may have something to do with it not getting fuel? possibly fuel filter? Another problem I am having is after a few days of sitting I see a little pool of gas on the swing arm, it appears to be coming from the fuel connections on the tank and very slowly dripping down the tank.

Thanks!

You have two issues. The last one is easy, you have a leaking fuel disconnect (petcock). It more than likely just needs an o-ring on the outer connection.

On your hesitation problem, it could be several things. The fuel filter (change it), and also poor gas quality (change it), latly and most commonly is that the o-rings on the "INSIDE" of the fuel disconnects have swelled up and are blocking fuel flow. The easist best way to fix them is to drill them out with a drill and get the full flow of the connection. This requires doing all four (the males and females).

Do you think its possible to get away without putting an o ring on it? I plan on draining all of the fuel tonight, changing the fuel filter and drilling the fuel disconnects. Is there a particular size drill bit you recommend?

Thanks again!

I don't remember off of the top of my head, but the drill bit needs to be able to drill out the contents of the disconnect without taking out too much metal. Get something that just fits inside the hole.

Ken is it possible that the fuel leak is also causing him to lose fuel pressure and causing it to cut out?

When gutting the disconnects, am I supposed to drill out the fitting on the tank and on the fuel hose? Is there any risk of getting some debris in the fuel tank? Should I remove the fuel hose from the pump and the regulator so no debris can get in them?

Yes, pressure loss is extremely likely BUT only if the disconnect is sucking air and not connected fully.

Yes, remove the fittings from the tank and lines before drilling them out. I will warn you, the ones in the lines are a bear to get out. I would look to replace the fuel lines when doing this to ensure you have enough fuel line left over or make sure you hava a 1/2" extra and just slice the hose right over the fitting and cut that 1/2" extra off and reinstall after you gut them.

How do I remove the fitting from the tank? Do I need a tool to reach into the tank for the inside part of the fitting?

Nope, real simple they are hexed on the outside fitting, they just screw right out. Please do this with a very low amount of fuel in the tank or drain it first. If you have an 03 style tank (the one with both fittings in the front of the tank) MAKE SURE YOU put the fuel pickup hose in the right hole! I just did one today and not paying any attention put the hose in the return side. I was going nuts trying to figure out why it wouldn't start!

[quote name='kdeal' date='Mar 19 2011, 06:08 PM' post='223392']
I was going nuts trying to figure out why it wouldn't start!
[/quote
DUH

Today i took the disconnects off the fuel tank and drilled them out. Inside of the disconnects is a spring and plastic mechanism. It took me about 10 minutes on each disconnect. However once both disconnects were done and you could clearly see through them i decided to swish them in a little jar of gas to properly clean off the shavings. I reinstalled them and also put in a new fuel filter. The difference is HUGE, the quad no longer loses power when riding, It may be me but it also felt faster then it was before. However i wont know about the drip stopping for a few days. If it continues to drip i will have to order some new o rings. Thanks for all your help.