1982 atc 185s

[Louschnell]

Hello,

I recently bought this little trike for 200 bucks. I cleaned the carbs, air box, filter, and changed the oil and it started first pull. However, I'm not sure if I set the carb right. It seems to have no power in the bottom end to get going. But once in its higher rpm it seems to click. It's almost like it Boggs itself out. She also smokes alot when on the throttle. Any help or comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

[SiiCHo]

sounds like shes running too rich, find your adjustment screw on the carb and adjust it as required. its been a decade since ive owned or messed with a 185s and i cant even remember what the carb even looks like, let alone where the screw is. im sure someone else would be able to help with specifics...

[barnett468]

Hello


How much choke does it take to start none, 1/3, 2/3, full?

How much throttle does it take to start?

How cold is the air temp when starting?

Does it start easily?

How does it idle?

How old is the gas?

Did you add new gas to old gas?


What color is the spark plug?

1. Almost white?
2. Lite tan?
3. Dark tan?
4. Dry black?
5. Damp gooey black?


What color is the smoke?

1. lite gray

2. black?


CARB FLOAT – Did you set it to the manual spec?

CARB GAS LEVEL TEST – Connect an 8-10 piece of clear line to the float bowl drain fitting. Hold it next to the carb with the top around 1” above the carb. Open the bowl drain screw with the gas tank valve ON. The gas level should be even with the bottom of the carb body where it meets the bowl up to 3/16” below it. If it’s too low it can cause a lean condition, if it’s high it can cause a rich one.

PERFORMANCE UNDER ACCELERATION – When accelerating does it sputter/burble or does it simply do nothing except fail to increase rpm’s quickly?

[kb0nly]

Blue or Black smoke? Just wondering if its burning oil or if its really rich...

Pull the spark plug take a look at it for some clues as well. Sounds like it needs some tuning and maybe further work if its burning oil.

If you need the manual click on the link in my signature below!

[Louschnell]

After cleaning: started first pull with nothing. Took for a test run. Decided it was bogging and needed more idle. Idle screw was turned out almost as far as it could go. I Turned it in. Seemed to idle better. Took for another ride and it was failing to increase in rpms in the mud. If I was on pavement it could get itself going. As it is now, it has black smoke, new spark plug, it's hard to start, taking many pulls. It had brand new fuel and I drained the old fuel before adding new. I'm not positive if the float is set properly

[barnett468]

Hello

I still can't help you much without the answers to the plug color, gas level test and choke starting question sorry.

The black smoke suggests it is rich but I prefer to not guess it won't help you.

You should determine the gas level BEFORE doing any jet changes. the float level may simply be too high.

[kb0nly]

Black smoke = Too Rich

Look in the manual, set the carb to the initial settings and adjust as it describes. Thats a good first step.

[Louschnell]

Spark plug is black in color

[yaegerb]

Get out your manual or download one off of kbonly's profile page. You need be sure your aircrew is set to oem specs and that your idle screw is set properly. Set those to spec and see how it runs out. Right now you are too rich. If setting to oem specs doesn't work then clean your carb, jets and re-set float level and then take for another test ride

[Louschnell]

Well I have them set right, and I put in a new spark plug and it fires up first pull now. It's just burning oil. I'm guessing I will need to re-do the rings?

[yaegerb]

If its blue or grey smoke then yes its rings. If you are going to the trouble to replace the rings then I would also put new valve seals and a cam chain while you are in there.

[Ghostv2]

From what i heard doing a plug chop will give you the most accurate results in determining the plug color. I think its to see how to adjust the jets and all, but i could be wrong. I have never done it myself.

[kb0nly]

If its burning oil its rings or valve stem seals, both require pulling the motor and tearing it down so you might as well buy a top end gasket kit, timing chain, and tensioner and guide set and have the cylinder inspected by a shop to see if it needs bored and honed, then you will need a new oversize piston and rings. Sounds extensive but for a couple hundred bucks you can do it right and go another 20+ years.... LOL

[Louschnell]

I seem to have found the problem with it bogging out. I was playing with the electrical, cleaned the contacts and put in an ngk spark plug. Now it runs quite well, seems to have full power and doesnt bog out. I'm guessing it wasn't sparking or firing properly before. Spark plug still looks black, and still blowing a little smoke. But for 200 bucks I can't really complain

[barnett468]

Hello


No for $200.00 you can't, lol

You didn't specify if the black on your plug was a #4 or #5 on my chart. This important, they basically mean 2 totally different things. Dry black is rich and damp gooey black is burning oil and possibly may include a rich condition.

Now that it runs properly is your smoke still black or is it lite gray?

Take plug out again after it has been in there for a total of 45 minutes minimum from the time you installed it and tell us what color number it is on the chart again if you want.