Recently resurrected my 97 AC. Great machine until carb went bad in 2001. Can bite the bullet and buy a new one (supposed improved) for $400. This one leaks gas into cylinder when stopped, fouls plugs and extremely hard to start cold. Any suggestions for possible substitute carbs, or anyone with experience in dealing with early model AC carbs.

 

Have you tried to find a rebuild kit for it?

It sounds like you'll probably have to bite the bullet and get a new one anyway so you may as well tinker with this one and have a small chance of fixing it. I would take it off and pull it apart at least and see what the problem is. It may be just filthy and need a good cleaning.

 

This is my first post here.

I have a 97 AC Bearcat 454 with a similar problem as described by Lycanthrope. My AC fouls plugs, starts hard in the winter, and currently is in my shop because it has NO power and just backfires when you try to give it any throttle. With a new plug, it starts and idles fine. Add gas and the think pukes.

I changed the ignition coil because the manual led me to believe it might be the problem. When I discovered that it wasn't the problem, I thought about the carb.

The dealer told me that the air cleaner box had to have the cover in place because there has to be a bit of vacuum created in order for the carb to work right. Does this sound right to any of you?

I'm starting to get rather depressed about this bike because I bought it used a few years ago and it has been nothing but trouble.

I asked the dealer about a rebuild kit and he said they didn't offer one. WTF?

Any comments and help greatly appreciated.

Mike.

 

Hey Mike,

I had the same problem with mine too and what i did was rebuilt my carb, changed the spark plug, and changed the fuel lines because they was a slight hole just from the line being so old

 

My experience with Arctic Cat carbs started with my 97 Bearcat. There is a hidden filter (screen) that is under the needle seat (carb inverted) that clogs easily. This causes an very lean condition and cracking the throttle open only leans it out even more and can cause a stall and/or a backfire.

#22 in the rather poor image

Greg