Have a 97 Honda recon 250 been sitting 4 yrs would not start got new carb started up run like a new one next day started up run rough smoking and backfiring then die got it going for a few min more by turning the on and off button still tryimg to start but backfiring .. need help please

Are you comfortably taking apart, cleaning and checking your carburetor? Got a lot of experience with the recons - cleaning that carb and checking it out is the #1 place I'd start. Here are your vacuum lines - for the TE TM - I can show you exactly how to tear down, check, set and put back together that carb or most of any other. Just let me know - Thanks, Justin M. 17 South Industries, LLC 2002 2003 2004 HONDA RECON TRX250TM TRX250TE CARB HOSE ROUTING - there's your routing - check all of the hoses first. If they're all fine - take the carb off. If you don't have the specs/tech info just let me know and I'll make sure you see how to do it by the book.

Hey Jeff,

Please give me more detailed info. When/Why/under what circumstances did the problem start. Will it rev up while in neutral?

Keep me posted

if it was running when you sank it, it more than likely sucked water into the cylinder and you have some broken piston rings.

Try a small shot (about a 2 second spray) of starting fluid in the air intake then cranking....
WARNING- DO NOT TRY AND KEEP IT RUNNING BY USING THE STARTING FLUID! It can damage your engine.

If your bike fires and runs for a bit, the most likely problem is your gas has gone "sour". You need to drain all the old gas out and properly dispose of it.

Over time, gas will cause a varnish buildup in your carb if it sits too long. You can try adding some carb cleaner to fresh gas, but the results will not be immediate. You may have to have the carb rebuilt.

When you store anything gas powered, there is an additive called Sta-bil that will act as a gasoline preservative for about a year.

It seems the fuel has flooded through the carbs from sitting. it may need the carbs cleaned and new fuel in the tank, and a new air filter element, there is also a possibility fuel has made its way into the sump, so check the oil level, or change the oil if it is 2 years old.
This can all be caused by a leaking fuel tap, and the fuel getting old and leaving a residue in the tap and carbs

If you want to prevent the Carburetor from dry after sitting for a while I suggest letting the car run for 5-10 minutes . I do that with my 78 El Camino SS 350 and after the carb is primed it starts right up

Have you check the air box (air filter element)?
How's the spark plugs are they good?
Did you upset any of the jets/needles in the carb when cleaning out?
Good?

Very common problem your fuel system is gummed up carbs need to be cleaned Etc.

i would say that you have a bad fuel pump or if you have a carb on it the float inside the carb is stuck check these and i'm sure you will find it's one of these.