Sportsman hard start

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Dec 1, 2018 | 08:12 AM

segchris

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Weekend Warrior

Joined: Dec 2018

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Sportsman hard start

2001 Sportsman 500 HO, very hard to start. I almost always have to open the airbox, remove the filter and mostly cover the intake with my hand to manually choke. Carb has been removed and cleaned twice and no improvement. Not sure the choke is correct, when running and I pull the choke it stalls out with no increase in rpm.

Any thoughts? Replace pilot jet? New choke cable?

Dec 1, 2018 | 04:22 PM

stendori

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: central maine

are you sure that the fuel pump is pulling fuel to the carb, float is set correctly. the cable should have a little slack like 1/8" when its choke is closed.

Dec 1, 2018 | 07:02 PM

segchris

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Weekend Warrior

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I assume the fuel pump is fine, runs great once started and restarts easy after warm. Just cold starts I have to choke by covering the air intake with my hand. Only way I can get it started. I’ve tried adjusting the coke cable many times, doesn’t seem to do much.

Is one jet jet used for starting? I recall a needle that had three notches it could be set at? Would changes to that help starting?

Dec 3, 2018 | 05:28 PM

Kymco 450i

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Joined: Jan 2016

Posts: 2,491

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From: Perrysburg Ohio

This why a complete rebuild kit for your specific carb, is neede, in this way everything gets set to proper specs. And all new gaskets and seats are used. Most take apart and clean carb jobs dont work! If there are any mods made to the engine then tell the carb kit people so they can send the proper kit.