2003 Suzuki Vinson 500 - Troubles ~ HELP!

[Lreckeb12]

ok, so I have a decent knowledge of quads and small engines as I worked with them all summer in Oklahoma. However I am stumped on what to do right now. I received a four-wheeler from a buddy who asked if I could clean his carb as he thought the float was stuck. So I did. when I put it back on it worked pretty good. Im pretty sure the starter is bad so I have to pull start it but I did pull start it and it fired up first pull and ran pretty good. however now it will not idle at all soooo im thinking jets? also it dies quickly unless I put my hand over the air intake and "choke" it and it will rev then. ive been readin about a vaccum valve or something? is that the problem? alllso my solenoid clicks and ive light tested it and I believe it is good but starter doesn't even think about working soooo bad starter? I just don't wanna waste a bunch of money buyin stuff and that not being whats wrong with it.

Any suggestions will help me out, thanks so much for your time guys.

[oxidized_black]

i would clean the carb again, take all the jets out and blow it out with air. for the jets, get a twist tie and strip the plastic off to run it thru. there is an air/fuel mix screw too. tighten it all the way in, then let it out 2 1/2 turns. make sure all the vacuum lines are on too. as for the clicking with solenoid, i would take the battery leads and clean them shiny, all the way to the starter for best results. throw a new plug in just for snicks too ...

[Lreckeb12]

Alright I will try that this coming week when im free. I will let you know if it works! do you suggest just normal generic carb cleaner spray or what should I use to clean it?

[oxidized_black]

if you want it really clean, berrymans chem dip for a good soak overnight, but you have to take all the rubbers out first, o-rings etc. but you could try the regular spray carb cleaner first and see if that does it ...

[Lreckeb12]

And just another random question.. how come somtimes when i pull start it, it will fire up on the first pull and other times it will not start at all?

[oxidized_black]

do you mean pull starting vs. electric start? maybe just luck of the draw, enough fuel, right position of piston stroke. i found out electric start may not go because the pick up coil is set back a hair too far or is dirty.

[Lreckeb12]

no my electric start doesn't work because of bad starter I believe. but ya thats probably right... pick up coil? ill have to look into that also..

[Lreckeb12]

where is that pick up coil located?

[oxidized_black]

the pick up coil is where the stator is. the cover at your left foot sitting on the bike.

[Lreckeb12]

alright. Thank you I will look into that.

[Lreckeb12]

ok.. so I cleaned the carb again really good. and adjusted what I thought was the idle. it was a flat head top needle right next to the float cover on the carb. I put everything back on and It started up and now it goes on its on at about 4 mph without me pushing gas. also when I ran it before I could get about 40 mph really quickly now I can get 20 mph very slowly. and when I turned it off it back fired like a boss. there is one hose that's not connected on the carb but I thought it was a valve that just is for overflow?

[CK1999_400ex]

sounds like you might have to do some fine tuning on the carb and adjust the air fuel mixture on it some .. not shure about the hose with out seeing it..sorry..

[Lreckeb12]

what do I adjust on the carb to "fine tune" it?