The spark plug on my Bayou220 is gray and I don't think that it's supposed to be like that. another thing is that when the engine is running it makes a knocking/pinging/ticking sound and it's been running really hot lately. I also have problems when the engine is colder. It will idle ok but if you give it just a little bit of gas it will start to sputter and cough acting like it's going to stall. What are you sudjestions? Thanks in advance. I really need to get this problem taken care of because now I'm even starting to hear the ticking/knocking/pinging sound all the time and it's getting louder, so for now I won't run it!! thanks.

 

Oh I forgot one more thing I'm running premium gas in it and when you accelerate at full throttlethat pinging sounds gets a lot louder. I don't know it that gives you another clue or not but oh well the more you know the better I guess.

 

Light gray is the color you are looking for when it comes to inspecting your spark plug. When it looks more white you have an engine that is running too lean. A plug that looks more black is the sign of one that is too rich. It sounds like your's is runniung just right.

Incorrect idle adjustment will create the throttle-up problem you describe.

As for the pinging, it sounds like one of two things. The first is incorrect valve clearances, however these often sound more like "tapping" than a ping or knock. The second is a clutch basket that has seen a lot of use. I did read a post several months ago that stated some Kawasaki models have a reputation for developing a harmless knock within the clutch basket after they have seen a lot of use. If my '97 Bayou 220 is making this sound someone will have to tell me.

 

Have your timing chain and tensioner checked also that will cause a knocking sound.

 

I have a bayou 220 that i got in december, and it has the same ticking sound, and it also does the same thing as yours, whenever i hit the gas, it dies, it's really starting to make me mad, but anyway, does anyone kno hoe to fix it?????

 

About three months ago I had the same thing happen to my 220. I was running premium in it too. There was dirt in one of the jets. I took the carb apart and cleaned the jets, then sprayed it with carb cleaner. After that I have stopped running premium gas in it. I think that it runs better with regular gas. Now the knocking and pinging has pretty much stopped. I would get your timing chain and adjuster checked though.

 

after you started running regular gas in your atv did it run ok? I'm a little bit un-willing to run gas in my Kawasaki motor because I have a John Deere tractor(with a Kawasaki engine) and it will not run at all without premium gas in it. Will the 220 engine run ok with just regular in it? Is there the same amount of performance?? thanks

 

Mine runs better on regular gas. It seems to run a little cooler with the regular gas than it did with premuim. I would say that the performace stayed pretty much the same. I don't know how much it matters but my house is at 2500 ft above sea level.

 

i played with the adjustments on the carb on mine this weekend, and i figured out y mine kept dieing. The idle adjustment was set way to low and everytime the clutch kicked in it would kill the motor, so try adjusting that up and see it that helps.

 

The next time you're at Wal-Mart, pick up an inexpensive fuel filter in the outdoor equipment department, the type that are made for air-cooled lawnmower engines. Then install in the fuel line between the tank and carb to keep the problem from coming back.