10 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 Problems Owners Face & Fixes

If you own or are considering purchasing a Kawasaki Brute Force 750 ATV, you’re likely interested in understanding some of the most common issues these machines face. With proper maintenance and repairs, the Kawasaki Brute Force 750 can provide many miles of off-road fun. But like any ATV, it can develop problems over time that need to be addressed.

In this detailed guide, we’ll outline the top Kawasaki Brute Force 750 problems owners commonly encounter and provide tips on diagnosing causes and making repairs to get you back on the trails. Whether you like mudding, trail riding, or general recreational use, knowing these common Brute Force 750 issues ahead of time can help maximize uptime and performance.

Overheating Is One of the Most Common Brute Force 750 Problems

Excessive engine heat is one of the most reported Kawasaki Brute Force 750 problems by owners. Overheating issues can stem from a variety of root causes, but the solutions are usually straightforward. Left unchecked, operating at too high a temperature for too long can cause reduced performance, throttle response issues, and serious engine damage over time.

What Causes the Brute Force 750 ATV to Overheat?

When diagnosing what’s causing your Brute Force 750 to run hotter than normal, start by considering these common culprits:

• Radiator fan failure – The radiator fan is critical for keeping air flowing through the radiator to cool the engine. If it quits working, overheating can occur quickly. This is one of the most common causes of high temps on the 750.
• Coolant leaks – Small leaks in hoses, gaskets, welds or seals inside the Brute Force 750’s cooling system allow precious coolant to escape. Low coolant levels reduce the system’s ability to absorb and dissipate heat.
• Blocked radiator – Mud, debris, and vegetation can block air flow through the radiator. Cleaning the radiator fins helps restore cooling capability.
• Faulty thermostat – If this engine component sticks shut, it prevents coolant circulation within the cooling system leading to overheating.
• Low coolant level – Simply being a little low on coolant can cause higher than normal running temperatures. Maintaining proper levels is key.
• Excessive dust or dirt – Riding in extremely dusty or muddy conditions can pack dirt and debris into the radiator fins over time, impairing cooling.

If you notice the temperature gauge start to climb or overheating symptoms like steaming/bubbling radiator fluid, reduce throttle immediately and safely pull over. Then start diagnosing the issue.

How to Diagnose and Correct Brute Force 750 Overheating

When temperatures start creeping up on your Kawasaki Brute Force 750 whether idling or underway, follow this systematic process to identify the cause and correct it:

• Inspect the radiator fins – Take a close look at the radiator fins where air flows through. Are they packed with debris, mud or vegetation? Use pressurized air or water to carefully clean and clear the fins of any blockages. This can restore cooling capacity on its own.
• Check the radiator fan operation – With the engine idling and warmed up, does the fan turn on as expected? Monitor fan activity for several minutes. If it fails to activate, test the fan relay, connectors and fan motor itself. Replace any faulty components allowing the fan to work again.
• Look for coolant leaks – Closely inspect all radiator hoses, seals and gaskets in the cooling system. Also check water pump and thermostat housings for tiny leaks. Repair any identified leaks or weeping connections allowing coolant to escape. This may require replacement of worn parts.
• Replace coolant – Over time, coolant breaks down and loses efficiency. Flush the Brute Force 750’s cooling system and replace aged coolant with fresh pre-mixed coolant as recommended in the owner’s manual. This improves heat transfer.
• Swap thermostat – If you’ve addressed all other common overheating causes mentioned above, consider replacing the thermostat itself. Sticking thermostats that fail to open are a common failure point. Installing a new Kawasaki OEM thermostat with the proper temperature rating often solves stubborn overheating.

Taking the time to methodically inspect components like the radiator fan and cooling system for leaks when faced with overheating can help identify the root cause. With the right diagnosis, making the necessary repairs is straightforward in most cases. This will keep your trusty Kawasaki 750 Brute Force running cool and prevent engine damage long term.

Difficulty Starting, Especially When Cold

Another common complaint from owners of the Kawasaki Brute Force 750 pertains to starting trouble, particularly in cold weather or when the machine has sat for a period of time. There are a few key items to inspect if you’re having issues getting your 750 fired up:

• Battery condition – Extreme hot or cold temperatures can really tax even a new battery. Using a voltmeter, confirm the battery is holding a charge over 12 volts. Recharge or replace it if voltage is low.
• Spark plugs – Remove each plug and inspect condition and gap. Look for excess wear or deposits. Replace with new NGK plugs properly gapped if needed. Weak spark will make cold starting difficult.
• Electrical connections – Battery terminals, wiring harnesses and connectors can all corrode over time from moisture exposure. Remove, clean and protect any degraded electrical connections that may be hindering starting.
• Low compression – Worn piston rings, leaking valves or damage inside the cylinder can reduce compression essential for cold starting. Have a shop perform a compression test if other areas check out OK. Engine work may be needed.
• Clogged fuel filter – Restricted fuel delivery will also make starting difficult in some cases. Swap the fuel filter for a fresh one to rule this out. Use OEM for proper flow rate.

Ruling out battery, spark and fuel delivery issues can help get to the root of cold weather starting problems. Well maintained Brute Force 750 ATVs should start with minimal cranking, even down to freezing temperatures if key areas are addressed proactively.

Loose or Worn Drive Belt Causing Performance Issues

The Kawasaki Brute Force 750 utilizes a long drive belt running from the V-twin engine to the transmission and final drive to put power to the ground. Over time, this critical rubber belt can become loose, experience wear or sustain damage from debris. Symptoms of a belt in poor condition include:

• Lack of throttle response and acceleration
• Noticeable loss of top speed
• Sluggish operation
• Belt slipping under heavy loads
• Excessive squealing noise from the belt area
• Reduced towing capacity and hill climbing performance

To evaluate belt condition, you’ll need to remove the cover panel for inspection. Check for cracks, missing teeth, fraying or other damage. Measure and adjust belt deflection (slack) to spec. If deflection is excessive or signs of wear present, the belt will need replacement.

On the Brute Force 750, the belt change procedure is straightforward with basic mechanical skills. YouTube videos can provide step-by-step visual guidance. Just be sure to properly align the new belt and tension to factory spec. This will restore throttle response and power transfer through the drivetrain.

Staying on top of belt condition through inspection and being prepared to swap in a fresh Kawasaki OEM replacement when needed will keep your 750 running optimally on the trails or work site.

Clutch Chatter and Slipping Issues

The Kawasaki Brute Force 750 utilizes a wet multi-plate clutch assembly to engage the drive belt and transmit power to the wheels. Oil contamination, worn clutch components or improper adjustment can lead to clutch problems characterized by:

• Chatter or squeal during acceleration
• Slipping under load resulting in lack of power
• Difficulty shifting between gears
• Loss of drive with belt slippage
• Burning smell from excessive slippage

Over time, normal wear to clutch friction disks, steels and springs will occur – especially under aggressive riding. Here are some tips to minimize issues:

• Change engine oil regularly
• Inspect clutch cover, seals and gaskets for leaks
• Check and adjust clutch cable freeplay periodically
• Replace clutch springs and friction disks once worn past limits

Diagnosing clutch issues requires removing the clutch cover for inspection. Look for oil contamination, worn friction disks, and broken or weak springs. Replacement of components like disks and springs may be needed to restore full clutch function. The Kawasaki service manual provides step-by-step clutch repair procedures.

Proper clutch operation is essential for power delivery on the Brute Force 750. Keeping the components properly adjusted and replacing wear items when required will provide smooth engagement and prevent drivetrain damage.

Radiator Fan Failure

Without proper air flow across the radiator, the liquid-cooled V-twin engine quickly overheats. And one of the most prone-to-failure components on the Kawasaki Brute Force 750 is the radiator cooling fan.

Radiator fan problems typically include:

• Fan not activating when engine reaches operating temperature
• Overheating issues at low speeds or idle
• High temperature warning light coming on
• Excessive steam from radiator overflow tube

Failure of the fan can leave you overheated and stranded on the trail. So let’s look at how to diagnose fan issues and get repairs made:

• Visually inspect fan operation – With engine at operating temperature, verify the fan is actually spinning when the ATV is idling or running slow. If not, you likely have a fan failure.
• Check fan wiring – Inspect the connectors and wiring leading to the fan for damage, corrosion, loose pins or other issues that could cause an open circuit.
• Test fan separately – The fan assembly can be removed for further diagnosis. Use a battery power source to test if the fan motor and blades spin properly when 12v power is applied directly.
• Replace fan assembly – If testing confirms the fan motor or wiring is bad, replacement of the entire fan unit is recommended. OEM units from Kawasaki avoid premature failures.

Given how vital proper airflow is to engine cooling, proactively replacing the radiator fan every few years can help prevent being left stranded by a failure out on the trails. Catching problems early also reduces risk of engine damage.

Fuel Delivery Issues

Without consistent fuel pressure and volume delivered to the injectors, the 750 Brute Force will experience weak power, stalling or no-start conditions. Two common fuel system problems include:

• Faulty fuel pressure regulator – The diaphragm in this regulator is prone to leakage over time. This causes insufficient fuel pressure reaching the injectors. Replace the regulator or pump assembly.
• Fuel pump failure – The electric in-tank pump itself can fail, leading to low fuel volume. Use a pressure gauge to verify pump output. Replace the entire pump module if faulty.

Accessing the pump and regulator is made easier on the Brute Force 750 by removing the seat and fuel tank. Complete replacement pump assemblies are available to swap in if tests confirm the pump is bad. Just be sure to verify fuel pressure and volume at the injectors after any repairs.

Consistent fuel delivery is essential for proper power generation and performance. Diagnosing and repairing pump or regulator issues promptly helps avoid being left stranded out on the trails or work site.

Electrical Gremlins Can Cause Major Headaches

Modern ATVs like the Kawasaki Brute Force 750 have extensive electrical systems controlling everything from the starter motor to ride modes. So electrical faults tend to cause a variety of performance-related issues. Two common problem areas include:

• Faulty throttle position sensor – The TPS monitors throttle plate movement and sends input to the ECU. If it fails, symptoms like stalling, rough idle, lack of power or no start can occur. Replace the TPS sensor to resolve.
• Bad CDI ignition box – This electronic box can suffer internal faults causing misfires, rough running or no spark at the plugs. Swap in a new CDI unit to restore proper ignition control.

Tracking down electrical problems takes patience and methodical diagnosis. Carefully inspect wiring harnesses, connectors and sensors when issues arise. Consult a repair manual when troubleshooting to pinpoint and correction faulty components.

While electrical faults feel frustrating, methodically narrowing down the source through testing saves time and $$$ over guesswork repairs. And addressing problems promptly reduces likelihood of related component failures downstream.

Conclusion – Take Care of Your Brute Force 750 and It Will Deliver Miles of Fun

While the big V-twin Kawasaki Brute Force 750 is certainly capable of delivering years of reliable recreational riding and utility use, like any machine it needs proper maintenance and care to reach its potential longevity.

Knowing the most common issues owners experience – like overheating, radiator fan failure, starting troubles, clutch problems and leaking/worn drive belt – gives you the knowledge to catch problems early and make repairs. Address issues promptly and don’t defer necessary maintenance.

With regular upkeep and diligent treatment, your trusty Brute Force 750 will keep delivering muddy, trail-riding, rock-crawling fun for years to come. The 750 engine platform has proven itself well when properly maintained. Here’s to racking up the miles on your Kawasaki!