185s Idle Questions

[79fordblake]

More questions on the carb of my 81 185s. I have great mid throttle response and power and the top end is great also. Almost flipped it a couple times today when I goosed it wot checking things out from a dead stop.

Only problem I have now is the idle. I have put a couple different kits in it and nothing has changed. I can set it to idle just right and then ill go ride a while and come to a stop and it idles to low and will die. I can readjust it again just right then go ride awhile and then it may rev to the moon when I stop. Another problem is I can have it idling properly and leave it running to go inside or something then come back to find out it is revin to the moon or it has idled down and died.

Throttle cable is routed correctly. Carb has been cleaned many times. New idle mixture screw and it is 2 turns out. Checked for leaks at intake. Needle jet 2nd groove, 102.5 main jet(aftermarket exhaust and air filter)

I believe the slow jet may be my problem. It is clean but looks kinda beat up. I have the press in type and I can't find out if it is available? Local Honda dealer said they can get the slow jet but don't know if it is the press in type or screw in type.

Any help is very appreciated, been trying to get this carb right a long time. Still want to try to get it right.
Any chance I might could solve the problem by getting a used 185s carb and switching things over? Are the 81-83 carbs all the same? This engine also has a 200 top end on it.

[tri again]

new carbs are like 20 bucks and work most of the time

slow jet is clear? internal passage under it too?

ok, there may be a 'w' shaped clip holding the main jet needle down into the
main throttle piston.

I've flipped them sideways a few times and the main needle will raise and lower whenever it wants to.

Fix it inside a box or somewhere you can find it if it flys away.

[MonroeMike]

My 185 did the crazy idle/revving thing, ended up being a vacuum leak.

Carb specs are here.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php?126290-ATC185-200-Service-Data

[79fordblake]

Slow jet is clear, under it is clear. But like I said before it doesn't appear to be in good shape. Clip is on the main jet needle.

Now I am thinking maybe when I checked for a vac leak I just missed it. Seal on head is good and seal to carb is good, maybe the intake boot is cracked. I sprayed carb cleaner near the head and carb connections last time when I was checking for a vac leak.

[tri again]

Slow jet is clear, under it is clear. But like I said before it doesn't appear to be in good shape. Clip is on the main jet needle.

Now I am thinking maybe when I checked for a vac leak I just missed it. Seal on head is good and seal to carb is good, maybe the intake boot is cracked. I sprayed carb cleaner near the head and carb connections last time when I was checking for a vac leak.

Just checking, there is that 'e' clip that holds the main jet needle in one of the grooves for up and down and then there's another clip inSIDE the piston that holds the needle down to the bottom of the piston so it won't ride up .

I miss that one about once a year.

What do they say about vac leaks?

spray the outside with almost anything and see if the idle changes?

Not change the subject, but I wonder if there is a way to check engine vacuum with a gauge since we're sorta on that topic?

[79fordblake]

Well this is kinda crazy, I sprayed carb cleaner all around the carb, intake and head gasket area and no change in rpm what so ever. But....after I wiped the intake boot down I could very clearly see a few cracks in it. I sprayed carb cleaner all in the cracks, no change in rpm so they must not be all the way through.

E clip is in place and so is the other clip that keeps the needle down. Carb performs great everywhere but idle, sometimes it goes for a while idling correctly then starts acting up idling low and reving up.

Gonna see about getting a new intake boot and getting a ebay 200x carb in the near future. Even though I have been through the carb I think it just has parts that are wore out and can't be replaced or fixed.

[tri again]

Not common but I guess there's a vacuum seal around the throttle cable where it hits the carb but you've undoubtedly sprayed that too.

I have heard that a fluctuating float level can do that but I run mine across the field all the time forgetting to turn the gas on and they run perfectly all the way until they die. so that tells me the float level can't be too critical.

You can also put a piece of clear fuel line to the float bowl drain (cracked open) and hang it up on the outside of the carb to see the inside fuel level.

I happen to have an sx doing the same thing but it over fills and leaks out unless it's running to use up the extra gas so I'm thinking a high float lever may be to blame.

I'll fix it right one of these days and just use something else till the snow melts.

[79fordblake]

I have checked everywhere, just to make sure i'm gonna check again when the rain stops. Float is set to stock height never had a problem with running out of fuel at wot or a constant mid throttle speed.