Artic Cat ?

I have a 1997 440 Cat that runs when I dump a little gas down the spark plug hole. I can see gas in the lines coming from the tank but it will not continue to run. Do you think this is a carb issue? It has not been run in 2 years. Thoughts?

I'd for sure start with the carb.

I'm no mechanic so don't know the part name but it keeps the gas flowing in the gas line.Had that problem myself.

sounds like the first place to start

Pump

Isn't there a diaphragm in the carb that sucks the gas into your engine? If the diaphragm gets dry from no use, that might be the problem.

Dry rotted diaphram fuel pump or carb jets plugged by the wonderful ethanol fuel we have. If you can keep it running by keeping it partially choked, then it is surely the plugged jets. Most them old carbs are very easy to work on if you have the slightest mechanical abilities....good luck and let us know what it was.

needle valve...

Float is stuck closed.

Well kind of sort of...The float is likely working perfectly, but it's the needle valve that is stuck...The most common cause of the aforementioned described problem...

Start by checking to see that gas is getting to the carb.
Pull the gas line off the carb, dump a little gas into the spark plug hole and start it, there should be a steady, pulsating flow of gas out of the gas line.
If there isn't, first look at the fuel pickup line in the tank, if that is okay then check the vacuum line from the crankcase to the fuel pump for cracks and tight fittings, then fuel pump.

Once you do all this and have fuel to the carb, then start looking for carb issues. If it is the carb, start at the float bowl, then float needle, etc..