2003 Kodiak 450 Stalling at idle

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I've got a low-mileage Kodiak - it's been mine since new and while I maintain it reasonably well, I've done zero work on it from an adjustment standpoint. It generally runs fine, but increasingly I find that it stalls out at idle (only). I've countered this by cracking the choke a tiny bit, but I know that's a band-aid fix.

My best guess is that I need to do a mixture adjustment of some sort. Is there one for idle only? Alternatively, I could probably fix it by upping the idle just a bit, but I don't think that's the right way.

I'm mechanically inclined and work on all my own cars, but new to bikes. i.e. I'll learn fast, but may not have a clue on some of the bike-specific stuff. In fact, all of my cars are fuel-injected, so aside from a snow blower engine, I haven't worked on a carb'd vehicle since forever.

Feel free to link me somewhere if this is already covered somewhere pretty well.

Thanks...

[BuckBilly]

I've got a low-mileage Kodiak - it's been mine since new and while I maintain it reasonably well, I've done zero work on it from an adjustment standpoint. It generally runs fine, but increasingly I find that it stalls out at idle (only). I've countered this by cracking the choke a tiny bit, but I know that's a band-aid fix.

My best guess is that I need to do a mixture adjustment of some sort. Is there one for idle only? Alternatively, I could probably fix it by upping the idle just a bit, but I don't think that's the right way.

I'm mechanically inclined and work on all my own cars, but new to bikes. i.e. I'll learn fast, but may not have a clue on some of the bike-specific stuff. In fact, all of my cars are fuel-injected, so aside from a snow blower engine, I haven't worked on a carb'd vehicle since forever.

Feel free to link me somewhere if this is already covered somewhere pretty well.

Thanks...

Look in your owners manual for the idle adjustment. Bump it up a hair and try a hotter plug if you want.

[Ajmboy]

I used to own an 04 Kodiak 450, loved it. I had a similar issue that ended up getting worse. If it's been yours since new, with low milegae, my guess is that it sits for a while at times.

What might be happening is, the float needle is corroded, causing the float not to rise up to where it should be, starving it with gas at low idle.

Common problem on those carbs. I've attached a parts diagram for you from Yamaha. You can check this site for part #'s: My Yamaha Prompt - Parts Catalog

You can take it out and check it for corrossion. Make sure the float moves freely.

Yamaha_Kodiak_450.pdf

[DPDISXR4Ti]

If it's been yours since new, with low milegae, my guess is that it sits for a while at times.

What might be happening is, the float needle is corroded, causing the float not to rise up to where it should be, starving it with gas at low idle.

Thanks for the specific feedback. Indeed it does sit for a while sometimes, so what you indicate is certainly a possibility. I presume it's pin #13 in the diagram that you're referring to, yes?

I guess I'll be figuring out how to take the carb apart next.

[ATVmechanic]

Thanks for the specific feedback. Indeed it does sit for a while sometimes, so what you indicate is certainly a possibility. I presume it's pin #13 in the diagram that you're referring to, yes?

I guess I'll be figuring out how to take the carb apart next.

You should be able to disconnect the carb and rotate it enough to take off the plate with screws 20 and 26. #13 you should check, but just check the overall movement of the float. It should be 100% free floating up and down.