Kawasaki Bayou 300

[Slifer]

I have a Kawasaki Bayou 300.  When the four wheeler is idling it won't rev up and the spark plug fouls easy.  It acts like it has a rev limiter.  When I start it, it only runs about 5 minutes and then dies.  Anybody have any suggestions on what might be wrong with it and what it would take to fix this.

[Frank Angerano]

Has it been sitting ? And is there a rev limiter ? Sounds like a lot of fuel going into the cylinder and not enough air. I would start at the mixture screws on the carb and go from there.  Double check that they have not been turned or re adjusted. If not then possibly a blockage within  the carb and a good cleaning will need to be done.

Also keep in mind that a weak spark can cause this also so should that carb be ok maybe take a quick look at the ignition system maybe a weak coil etc.

good luck  

 

[Si Ricketts]

I agree with Frank. Probably carb related. I also have a Bayou 300 4x4 also and had loads of problems with the carb. Which I sorted with a set of Japanese jets and a new main needle.

A couple of simple things to check first, make sure the airfilter box isn't full of crap. This will restrict air and cause the engine to run rich, fowling the plug.

Check that the choke isn't stuck on. Move the lever on the handle bar and check that the choke arm is moving the carb choke butterfly open and shut. 

Failing this as Frank said if you can take the carb off, strip and clean it would be the next thing to do. Get hold of a manual which will step you through the procedure. 

This vid should help you

Come back to us if you're still stumped.Good luck fella👍🏻

[Jeff Comstock]

My 99 bayou 300 does the same thing except I've checked and cleaned the carb and timing and Valve lash. Sometimes it'll backfire and then run fine. If it sets in the Alabama heat it acts up but if it sets for twenty minutes with the fuel off it's fine.