Big Red 250es Carb--High Idle-UPDATE-IT RUNS!!!

[bigreddaddy]

Alright. I had to buy another carb for my 250es because the original one had the pilot jet cranked in so tight it ended up breaking apart trying to get it to back out.
I set the pilot jet on the new (used) carb two turns out and installed it.
Now I can get it to crank up and stay running for a minute or so, but the idle is very high and then quits.
I checked the throttle cable and it's routed right and not binding. Choke cable also works.

I have a question about the vacuum lines. Do they HAVE to be hooked up to the "T" like is shown in the manual to run right? Mine doesn't have this T and where does the vacuum lines go after going to the T? The manual doesn't show this. Also, I need to clean the petcock because it leaks in the RUN position. But with the fuel line off and in the RUN position there is a constant flow of gas. I also did not have the air filter on the element, but did have the airbox lid on.

Now would the problems listed above cause very high idle and then cause it to quit running after a minute or so, then make it hard to start?

I now have a new air filter and am going to clean the petcock hopefully today. I need to know about the vacuum lines on the carb. I think there are 2 vacuum ports on the carb. The manual shows these 2 lines going to a T fitting, then a line leaving the T and going somewhere???

[Bunyan]

My big red that I just bought hasn't got any vacuum lines on the carb. I need to get some yet but it seems to run fine without them.

[atctim]

Check for the carb to be seated well in the intake boot (engine side) and have you played with the idle screw at all yet?

[bigreddaddy]

I put the new air filter on (oiled it), checked the carb boots on each end (the air box side wasn't on all the way) and it is still idling way too high. I turned the pilot in a turn and played with the air screw while running and same thing.
I took the cover off the throttle cable on th bars, and adjusted while running. When I tightened it all the way the idle came down just a little.
Could I just need a new cable, or do I need to check where the needle is set, or ???
Note: After I adjusted the throttle cable and killed the engine, this time it backfired. Any ideas?

[bigreddaddy]

Just bumping the thread. C'mon fellas, I could really use some help on this one. I finally have this bigred running and don't want it throwing a rod or something from reving so darn high.

I'm thinking it might be the throttle cable as it reved high like this with the original carb also. With that carb it would idle real high then die. But the primary jet on that carb was screwed, no pun intended.

[bigreddaddy]

I don't know if it's the updated carb or not. Here is a picture that was listed in the auction. I did buy from a guy in the northeast. But like I said it idled real high with the original carb too.
I did check the choke cable before, and it does work.




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v51/redstickwholesalers/bigredcarb.jpg

[bigreddaddy]

Well for anyone who might have been following this post, I FINALLY HAVE MY BIG RED RUNNING! Man I'm so damn happy. I've been working on it for about a month or so, mostly one afternoon each weekend.

John I think you may have been right about the throttle valve. I took the carb off this evening after checking/adjusting the throttle cable, cleaning the petcock, adjusting and adjusting. I took the carb off again and noticed the butterfly valve wasn't closed all the way w/no throttle. I thought that the slide would have to be closed all the way too, but noticed the grooves in their which stop the slide from closing all the way.
So I adjusted it to where the butterfly closed all the way, tightened everything up, and it finally idles normal.
Even the tailights work! I drove it around the backyard a few times but couldn't go faster than 1st gear (not super low). It doesn't smoke, compression out the pipe feels strong (though I will be checking it again with the tester).

I had to post this update. I've been mesing with it all day, my back is killing me, and I'm drinking my coffee relaxing now knowing all my work finally paid off. Hell ya I'm happy.
Of course I still have plenty more work to do on it, but it RUNS!

Thanks to all who replied for your help.