Troubleshooting Issues on our Kawasaki Mule 600!

When we fired it up this Spring, our beloved 2005 Kawasaki Mule 600 wasn't quite running right. It was sputtering, misfiring, and after a while just wasn't starting at all. In this video, Alex dives into fixing these issues, using some small engine troubleshooting techniques learned over the years.
About Us: We are Alex and Elaina, a couple in our mid 20s who are currently living on the 3-acre farm in southern Pennsylvania where Alex grew up. We have a garden, backyard chickens, and build or fix anything that we need to. We still work corporate day jobs, but are working to eventually leave the 9-5 lifestyle in favor of a self-built, debt-free, homestead on 6 acres nearby.
Something that differentiates us from other KZbin homestead channels is our transparency on the cost of our projects - there is usually a breakdown right in the description!
We upload a KZbin video every Saturday night at 7pm EST, and post daily on Instagram and Facebook @masondixonacres!
Instagram: / masondixonacres
FB Page: / masondixonacres

[@72442conv]

Excellent problem solving skills. Nice to see the newer generations fixing their own stuff.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Thanks for the nice words! I agree, can't afford to pay someone else these days. -Alex

[@thewednesdaynightbiblestudyon]

Thank you for this video. I had a similar problem. I checked the plug by unscrewing and grounding it. It sparked beautifully. I cleaned the carb and it still wouldn’t fire. Finally I replaced the spark plug and she fired right up. Idk why the plug was apparently not firing inside the cylinder. But it’s running now. Thanks again!!!

[@warehousewins]

Just picked up my first 2012 Kawasaki 610, love it.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

They’re great machines! Should last you forever

[@tmtv2234]

I have a 2016 I’m the second owner and every time I get a used equipment I like to change the oil/filter, spark plug and air filter just to be on the safe side at the same time I learn where everything is at haha. Anyways awesome video thumbs up 👍🏾

[@MasonDixonAcres]

That’s definitely a great peace of mind! Can’t beat preventative maintenance.. unfortunately I was lacking in that department here 😂

[@tmtv2234]

@@MasonDixonAcres hehe copy that brother! I’ll be looking forward to see any more maintenance to your utv.

[@gsx11g]

I have to say thanks for your video. I was thinking about pulling the carburetor and cleaning and maybe cleaning the gas tank. I had a sputtering mule. At the end of your video, you did a spark plug to fix it. I tried that on mine and it solved my problem completely. I didn't think the old spark plug looked too bad, but it must have been. Sometimes, the easy solution is the right solution.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

You are welcome! Glad it worked out

[@mbriggs4627]

Having exact same issue, cleaned carb, pump is working, guess I'll order a plug lol, thanks for the vid.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Good luck 👍🏼

[@mbriggs4627]

@@MasonDixonAcres I talked with my 94 year old Father in law (he has the mule) and told him about your video, he went out there, pulled and cleaned the plug and it started up and runs lol, I have new plugs ordered, thanks so much for your video Mason.

[@rockbay79]

Nice video! I would love to see you make a video on how you built your chicken pen. It looked really nice!

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Thank you! We actually already have 2 videos on the chicken coop build & the chicken run build. Here's the coop build: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWW3ZIB5gLVlb6M & here is the chicken run: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpKnfZeMfruni68 .. Hope that helps!

[@ruckuswethepeep4384]

Thanks I actually got payed for fixing one of these! Great video!!!!

[@annettehough2792]

The crazy cluckers have a clever crafter to care for them. Nice camera work.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Haha thank you! I have come up with all sorts of funny names when I am talking to them 😂

[@smokeystover70]

I recommend using ethanol free premium gas in these atvs!

[@MasonDixonAcres]

That will cost you a first born child these days 😅

[@chancecarlton8403]

Wish I could even buy it around me. Have to gi to the lake to get it.

[@diego2670]

Thank you for the video man

[@jackpitts5561]

Thanks, super helpful. Our 2011 version having same issue- it runs and then spitters out after 10-20 seconds. Got worse over time. Not sure what plug i need and was surprised it only had ONE cylinder. i didn’t even know a 1 cylinder engine was possible. How hard was it to remove the old plug from that little hole they give you?

[@terilong9817]

Where dose the pulslater line go

[@marksteve4065]

Great job

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Thank ya!

[@advent35]

Thanks for the video. I have a 2005 610 Absolutely wonderful tools on the farm. Have you ever had to pull the drive shaft out? I'm getting ready to do that on mine And have never done it before. Looking for tips and tricks.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Never needed to do that, but these are pretty simple machines so it shouldn't be terrible

[@skofflaww3883]

You have to pull the front gear box. Drive shaft comes through the front.

[@stephenlwest]

What size spark plug. I have the same Mule. So awesome UTV. I have same problem.

[@TargaWheels]

When you first pulled the spark plug out, could see it was fouled. Cleaning will sometimes work temporarily, sometimes not at all. 2 cycle and 4 cycle engines, the first thing you go for when its no-start/hard-start is the spark plug, air filter, and fuel filter. Other than that, some engines have an oil sensor that cuts the ignition if the oil level is too low. But yeah, you always go for your typical service items first when having problems

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Thanks for the tip!

[@jimkleinhans4326]

I bought a used 2013 Mule this summer and it was working fine until las week when I could not shut it off. I hadn't learned enough about it yet to even find the spark plug so I disconnected the ignition and the battery but it still kept running. I finally disconnected the fuel line. (Later, I found the spark plug). Since then it hasn't been running well - difficult starting poor idling causing it to shut down. It still won't shut off when I turn the key to the Off position. I bought another ignition but that didn't do the trick. Any ideas on what's wrong? Pulling the spark plug wire to shut it down every time is kind of a pain.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Hmm that sounds odd, maybe a bad keyswitch combined with a gunked up carb? Some small engines have a fuel shutoff solenoid on the bottom of the float bowl that plugs the main jet and immediately shuts the engine off. This 2005 model doesn't have that but your 2013 might, something to check whether it's stuck open as they can get sticky if they sit for a while.

[@vincesmith764]

Turning off the key switch simy grounds out the spark to kill engine..check wiring connections on top of engine small round ,male to female plug socket covered with clear plastic.

[@kleyten1035]

Bro nice vids! Think you could make one(or2) 1. Noticed your chicken coupe. Could u break down everything that you'll need for good looking one like yours. With spending the least money as it is very tight for me right now. Then hopefully a little how-to, where everything goes etc. 2. If u could make one on building a DIY pond that would be so sick. Ideas for decor/lay out..how to make small water fall with pump. I want to build an inground Koi pond. Also for cheap :). Don't know if I should use some type of plastic liner or thin layer of mix ur own concrete, or some type of hard plastic like kids swimming pool? Possibly an old hot tub lol? Obviously I need some direction and you seem very savvy in outdoorsy stuff and being able to use ur brain lol. Can be hard for me sometimes. Anyways new sub here 🖐

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Thanks for the comment! For coop materials it will really sort of vary based on what kind of pallets and scrap wood you have access to. You will probably need to slightly modify the design based on that. For the pond, I think one day we will probably get ducks and I'll make a pond, but definitely after we build the house. I'd dig a hole, use a durable plastic pond liner, and line the edges with rocks. I'm sure there's a bunch of good videos out there on it

[@jenniferchrisharmon8795]

We have one with 2600 hours on it and I have cleaned the carb at least once a year.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Wow that is some good maintenance! Incredible how many hours you’ve gotten out of that

[@lorieteal2651]

We have a Kawasaki 2013 Mule- The DIF light stays on and it has loss of power. It was doing this before, we replaced the computer. It ran for a few weeks now, doing it again. Any suggestion. This was an $800 computer.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Not sure what a DIF light is. Our model is a bit older and has no computers

[@cvcavc]

Question I have a brand new (less than 50 miles Mule) since getting new it grinds when be placed in gear this is even though my foot is on the brake and it is only idling. Is this normal ?

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Nope, sounds like CVT belt tension is out of adjustment

[@cvcavc]

thank you how would I fix that ? @@MasonDixonAcres

[@megastick9324]

Spark plugs are so cheap , don’t waste time cleaning them unless you’re in a bind in the woods or something. Some can fire perfect outside the cylinder but not under compression. Some get flooded and never work right again. Keep a new spare on board and change the plug(s) once a year or so when you do the other services.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Good advice! -Alex

[@thecreatortv]

Hi I'm Ysrael from the caribean, I would like to see a video of the more important part I need to check for get the kawasaki mule fix.

[@jacobvuna6462]

Question I have a lot fuel where the air cleaner filter box at a lot fuel at list half way in the box smh any idea why?

[@jacobvuna6462]

Spark plugs soak in fuel too smh

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Sounds like a stuck float in the carb

[@jacobvuna6462]

@@MasonDixonAcres thank u brother 🙏🏾

[@danielamesquita3732]

Hi I have the 600 mule but when I go at a curtain speed it just shuts off on me what should I do

[@MasonDixonAcres]

New fuel filter, fresh gas, clean carb, new spark plug are the first thing to try. After that will take some more detailed diagnosis.

[@Silvertip1958]

I have a 2005 610 mule. I change the spark plug every 2 years.

[@miltonrosales2203]

Quiero averiguar dónde van las flechas delanteras

[@shawnevans58]

Make sure and clean the air box out and blow the filter out before putting it back in

[@davidcampbell7684]

How to fix belt slips sometimes

[@diego2670]

I got the same problem 😅

[@TwilaWestercamp]

How do you bleed the brakes

[@riderr2035]

I just got a 3010 diesel mule not get starting plus other small issues i pay 800 dollar for it

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Wow that's a steal. Get that baby running and hold onto it or sell it for $4k -Alex

[@WayneEvansGuitarCowboy]

The fuel pump is in side the gas tank and there is a fuel filter in the fuel pump you need to change it, that will fix your problem.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

On these the pump and filter are external

[@katarinaburmingham536]

Kawasaki 610 has electric start too. So check that

[@jacineci1]

my 610 smells hot when running makes a clanging noise

[@riderr2035]

Heat up the spark plug with lighter before put on

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Haven't heard that one, what's the idea behind that?

[@bobbyhutcheson7051]

Don't know where this came from but I heated the plug on the cook stove as a kid to start the old push mower,why?No idea where this idea came from....

[@stevegann3251]

Wow there is country folk in Pennsylvania!

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Plenty!

[@thefourwheelerdoctor7808]

No start condition always change the spark plug first before everything else.

[@lazerrred]

LOL, yes, and when he showed the condition of the plug it was terribly fouled and when he cleaned it & tried to start it, it did “spark”, but from the bottom of the insulator.

[@mattclark254]

Obviously if you haven't changed the air filter in 15 years you probably haven't done it any other preventive maintenance on it either like oil changes front rear diff fluid changes. And by the looks of the spark plug it was probably the original as well... There is nothing worse for a machine than to spray starter fluid into it. It Burns at such high heat intensity that it destroys piston rings. Never ever use starting fluid on anything. Spend some money and Maintenance your beloved machine if it is such a valued tool. Ps The loss of exhaust pressure will cause it to run Rough with that giant hole In the muffler. Use some hose clamps and a thin piece of metal and at least try to cover it!

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Nah I've changed engine oil and diff fluid several times. Starter fluid is fine in small doses

[@Exclusive_Criminal]

New plugs are cheap. Always have one on hand. Avoid starting fluid.

[@jeffmooney6627]

Smell the gas

[@markr2297]

My take-away....replace spark plug every 15 years.... :)

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Exactly.. right in line with the manufacturer’s recommendation! Oddly enough the one that was in there was only a year or two old, but it was an off brand that came with the new fuel filter. So buy good spark plugs!

[@billalbion]

You only had to look at the plug to it see it needed replacing. Half clever, no common sense. Change the plug every year. Have some kindness to your machinery.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Tried to clean it up a little first, never hurts to try. Had to order the plugs anyway so it was worth a shot -Alex