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Thread: Is it possible to adjust the float height on a 250es/sx/trx?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    Is it possible to adjust the float height on a 250es/sx/trx?

    I have a problem going on with the carb on my 250. I beleive the fuel height is too high in the bowl. It refuses to idle more then a few seconds before dieing and smells gassy. If I shut the fuel off it will rev up(lean out) I can make it idle like that by turning the gas on for a second then shuting it off till it starts to rev then turning it back on. When I took the carb apart to clean it I noticed the float had to be raised almost all the way up to stop fuel flow. I looked in the manual and it says it cant be adjusted. Is there a way to adjust it though. maybe bend it alittle? has anyone done this. I just down want to break the float.
    "I'm Kind Of Like The Turtle Man Of 3Wheelers."

    1986 Honda 350X
    1985 Honda 250R
    1985 Honda 200X

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
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    3,415
    Before tearing into your float, double check your choke plunger is seating properly.

    I've had similar issues in the past and when I removed the choke plungers it's all clogged with crap..it's like running with the choke part way on.

    Clean it, the bore and then lightly lube the plunger with some synthetic based greased.
    Current toys..
    1986 Honda 350X..trail bomb!
    1985 Honda 250SX..my main mudder
    1985 Honda 250ES..Back in Black Trike
    Current non-trike toys:
    1990 Honda TRX300FW
    1995 Seadoo GTX
    1998 Polaris Indy Lite 340(Nearly new looking)
    1998 Polaris Touring 500
    1998 Club Car (electric)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Choctaw, OK
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    2,755
    The book is correct swampthang, the float height is fixed. Good call by Doug. Be sure the choke barrel is seated, the seat is clean and it moves freely. If you need a float, I have several but I also have freshly rebuilt ES/SX carbs for sale. Allot of guys have been having carb problems with their ES/SX lately so I have been gathering carbs and rebuilding them. I've got four on the shelf now. They have been bead blasted, cleaned, carb kit installed, cold start mod done (if applicable), and installed on my SX and run to verify operation. They are good to go. If interested, they are 100.00 with exchange. 125.00 without exchange. I dont send carbs out if they dont work right. The offer is there if you need one.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Pacific NW
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    4,255
    Great advice.
    Be careful getting the choke plunger out if it is stuck.
    There are 2 thin metal tabs that hold the plunger to the cable
    and if they bend or break there is almost no happy end to the story.
    Search key mentions something about a milling machine to 'drill' them out.

    I also had one carb kit with 2 different length float needles.
    Not sure if that was one way to change fuel levels or just wrong parts.

    On a side note, my uncle used to hook a piece of clear fuel line to the
    float bowl drain and hold the tubing up against the carb body.
    That can give an idea of the fuel level inside the float bowl.

    Usually somewhere near the junction of the float bowl and carb body.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    The choke works fine. I took the carb off again and was able to bent the float down alittle. It seems to have helped it out some. For some odd reason the drain screw does nothing. I have taken it out and it still doesnt drain the bowl. The overflow works fine though.
    "I'm Kind Of Like The Turtle Man Of 3Wheelers."

    1986 Honda 350X
    1985 Honda 250R
    1985 Honda 200X

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Pacific NW
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    4,255
    Quote Originally Posted by swampthang View Post
    The choke works fine. I took the carb off again and was able to bent the float down alittle. It seems to have helped it out some. For some odd reason the drain screw does nothing. I have taken it out and it still doesnt drain the bowl. The overflow works fine though.
    Yupp, main drain is the perfect place for superfine rust dust to plug stuff up.
    I like having them functional so they are easy to drain for storage.

    Too bad those carbs as such a project to get off and back on.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Choctaw, OK
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    When I rebuild these carbs, I do install them on my SX and run them so I have put in and taken these things out many many times. There is a secret. Turn the carb 90 deg to the right (CW). Unhook the throttle cable from the backbone hook. Lift and gently twist the carb back and forth as you bring it up through the frame. It will come right out even with the vent hoses on it.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    Quote Originally Posted by tri again View Post
    Yupp, main drain is the perfect place for superfine rust dust to plug stuff up.
    I like having them functional so they are easy to drain for storage.

    Too bad those carbs as such a project to get off and back on.
    This carb I'm working with is on a 86 trx. It comes off pretty easy I can have it off the bike in prolly 5 minutes. I've had a 250es and sx but I dont remember if they was a PITA or not to get out.
    "I'm Kind Of Like The Turtle Man Of 3Wheelers."

    1986 Honda 350X
    1985 Honda 250R
    1985 Honda 200X

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Choctaw, OK
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    2,755
    The ES carbs are easy to get off but the SX carbs barely fit through the frame.

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