Completed the rebuild of carb, Reconnected and everything back on except for front fenders and side panels. New gas & filter. Started right up but idle is very high. When I removed carb I unscrewed directly from carb and did not mark how far in or out. I think it is mostly out if I recall. Just wanting to make sure of direction to lower rpm. I am guessing in but how far start at half way and go from there? Do not have a tach to attach to check rpm, any quick way short of a tach so shifter will work? 1996 sportsman 500 around 600 actual miles. Thanks in advance

 

You turn the adjuster screw out to lower the idle. Just get a low enough idle that the shifter doesn't grind when you go into gear.

 

OK I will check tomorrow. I don't remember how far I screwed it in when I reinstalled it. What would you say to the number to unscrew to take it down 1 maybe 2 turns or more like 5 turns, just trying to get an idea. Should I turn it down before I restart or start and turn down at that time. Thanks OPT you are the man.

 

There's no set turns on an idle adjuster screw,just listen to the sound of the engine idle speed as you turn the adjuster out. Stop when you get to a low even idle..

 

Just to make sure I am turning the adjusting nipple on the side of the carb or are you talking about the adjusting needle on the bottom of the carb. I have been trying the nipple on the side and have taken it out at least 1/4 in and still not coming done. I checked the throttle it does move and has full travel. Could I have installed something improperly in the carb to cause the high idle?

 

Item#32 on the bottom of the carb if you're still talking about the Sportsman 500 carb. Dirt Cheap Yamaha, Polaris, Suzuki & Kawasaki OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse Just like this one.http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-POLARIS-SPORTSMAN-500-CARBURETOR-4x4-ATV-QUAD-CARB-1996-1998-NON-HO-f-/361399793589?hash=item54251b37b5&vxp=mtr

 

I was afraid you were going to say that I have ben turning the cable nipple. I will try the #32 Thanks again.

 

Probably why it's idling too high.. Make sure the throttle cable has a small amount of play at the thumb lever then adjust #32.

 

I have run the screw out as far as it will go until it falls out and still no change to the idle. Sounds like guessing 1600-2000 rpms. Looked at cable and do not see any kinks. While the engine is running you can thumb the throttle and it will increase some not a lot but you can hear it go faster. I am out of ideas. I did not move the idle screw when I took it off but it sure is faster. I think it was leaking air on the air box and may be the reason for the increase. What do I do now, take the gold tophat off and check the travel in carb, adjust at thumb throttle or any other ideas. Thanks.

 

Spray some carb cleaner or contact cleaner around the intake manifold and see if idle changes.If it doesn't then you still have the throttle cable too tight.Make sure you have slack at the thumb lever.Still sounds like that's the problem if idle screw adjustment doesn't make any difference.