185s help

[98600xc]

today I was driving around my 185s. I shut it off to tighten a few bolts and I go to start it up and it fired up and popped and died. so I get it started by push starting it. It ran like crap. I took the spark plug out and it was absolutely pitch black. I put a new spark plug and it was the same way. It seems like it is starving for gas because it kind of sputters, but it clears out at top end. Do you guys have any idea what the problem could be? I think it might be the carb is just dirty, but why would it just suddenly act up like that.

[harryredtrike]

do a search and find the answers you seek.your on the right track though.doyou have a manual???????

[thestud25]

It is more than likely a clogged jet. Pull the carb, clean it, then try it again.

[JustEnough]

A spark plug black with carbon would indicate too rich of a mixture. From how it developed, a good carb cleaning is probably a good first step.

I have been using white vinegar that I buy at the grocery store for about two dollars a gallon. It does an excellent job disolving gum from old gas. It is an excellent rust remover too. Clean the outside of the carb with laundry soap to degrease it. Soak the carb for 10 minutes or so then clean the parts with a toothbrush, then drop them in a bucket of water. Use compressed air to blast out the remaining water before reassembling the carb. I have seen excellent results with this method.

[tri again]

A spark plug black with carbon would indicate too rich of a mixture. From how it developed, a good carb cleaning is probably a good first step.

I have been using white vinegar that I buy at the grocery store for about two dollars a gallon. It does an excellent job disolving gum from old gas. It is an excellent rust remover too. Clean the outside of the carb with laundry soap to degrease it. Soak the carb for 10 minutes or so then clean the parts with a toothbrush, then drop them in a bucket of water. Use compressed air to blast out the remaining water before reassembling the carb. I have seen excellent results with this method.

I may be nuts but I had a couple carbs that would not clean up. Internal passages were clogged so I boiled some water with about 20 percent vinegar, turned off the heat and dropped in 2 of the 85 carbs. They were so gummed from years of lube and penetrant and solvents/cleaners that the throttle returns were in super slow motion and no new chemicals did anything .

They cleared within 1/2 hr . and the throttle returns SNAPPED back and the internal passages were dead clear blowing thru them underwater with mouth pressure and a piece of fuelline.

Bubbles came out thru all the passages.
Just because the jets are clear or new doesn't mean passages are clear and the 85's are not fun to pull off and on more that you have to.

oh, and they still work perfectly after a year so I guess it didn't hurt anything.

vinegar is cheap and doesn't smell nearly as bad as carb cleaner

[tri again]

today I was driving around my 185s. I shut it off to tighten a few bolts and I go to start it up and it fired up and popped and died. so I get it started by push starting it. It ran like crap. I took the spark plug out and it was absolutely pitch black. I put a new spark plug and it was the same way. It seems like it is starving for gas because it kind of sputters, but it clears out at top end. Do you guys have any idea what the problem could be? I think it might be the carb is just dirty, but why would it just suddenly act up like that.

was it a bumpy ride? new gas? gas tank vent on?
A bumpy ride, or ANY ride for that matter can dislodge a tiny piece of anything.

your slow jet is tiny, like 10 thousandths or maybe 8, like the smallest electric guitar string so it doesn't take much to plug them. I used to use cut off acupuncture needles at 5 thousandths and they were tight because the slowjets were so plugged with hardcrud. Then I ran across a new jet and an 'e' string went right thru. (.008")

does it run better with partial or full choke?

At least those carbs come off and on easy.

[98600xc]

I took the carb off today and cleaned it. It is now fine. I also got some new rear tires today. They are the chevron style tires. Now all I have to do is get them mounted on my rims and I will be in good shape for the weekend!