I've got three 08 Arctic cat 500 manual shift and all three have problems idling but its intermittant outside weather conditions don't make a diffrence or if the engine is warm or cold. It acts like the choke sticks but I've cleaned the carbs. I've talked to the dealer and they tell me they never have had that problem. I live in bush Alaska and just can't take it to a dealer.

 

I know when my ATV's were new they were very cold blooded. Start it with the choke on and after just a couple of seconds it would load up and die. If you turned the choke off it would die. Once I got a few miles on the machines this went away. (like 500-1000miles)

Also, I think the 08 also has an electric choke? Living in bush Alaska also makes me wonder what your fuel quality is like? I know it varries from place to place and can have lots of stuff in it that gums up the carbs. I had to install inline filters and use lots of fuel additives like Seafoam.

I am thinking it is some sort of fuel issue since all 3 are doing it.

swampy

 

I would agree with Swampy about the fuel. All our 500's with the Electric choke have worked flawless over the years, even in sub zero temperatures. The oldest we have is an 04 with almost 4000 miles and the carb has never been touched.

 

Well I know 500 to a 1000 miles for brake in but two have over 4000miles on them and have been the same the other one 2000 on the new motor. We use them every day to travel from village to village. the fuel is a good call we get fuel in the early June about 12,000 gals it last till May. but the Honda's don't seem to have the same problems is Cat using more compression. I keep thinking it the choke. but fuel is a big part.