Is there a simple way to adjust the idle on a 2004 400 ?
Mine idles too high after warming up and makes it hard to shift, I had to
plow snow with the choke on so I could shift.

Thanks, John

 

The idle rpm should be between 1250-1350rpm. Since that can be hard to determine I usually do the following to keep from having to use a tach.

1) replace or clean the spark plug
2) make sure air filter is clean
3) Make sure you have clean fresh fuel
4) Start and run the engine for about an hour so that it is up to temp. I have, in the past, just started plowing snow and when I hear the cooling fan kick on I know it is good and warm.
5) put the tranny in neutral
6) set the parking brake
7) With the engine running turn the idle adjustment **** in until it begins to not want to idle then out 1/4 to 1/8 a turn.
8) Drive the machine some or plow a minute and see how it shifts.

If it shifts better but now won't stay running keep turning it out 1/8-1/4 turn at a time and repeat step 8 until it does what you want.

Then the hard part. Let it sit over night and see how it starts cold. If it is hard starting with the choke on you may need to turn it out 1/8-1/4 turn more. My machine starts fairly easy after sitting outside in the winter (temps can be as low as 30 below) it must them warm up for about 1-3 minutes with the choke ON before I can drive it. During the summer there is no waiting at all.

I forgot to mention that I find it easier to do these adjustments with the side panel off to keep my large hands away from hot engine parts.

Hope this helps.

Swampy

 

Thanks for the great info ! Just where exactly is the idle adjustment **** located ?

 

It is a little finned looking **** on a short cable coming from the carb.

Number 27 at the top of the pic.

 

It is the part Dave shows. It comes off the back of the carb and is easiest to reach from the same side the fuel shutoff is on.

I also forgot to add to wipe off any dust from the **** and put some white out on one of the fins. This was you can watch where that white fin is located and tell how far you have turned the **** rather than guessing or counting.

Swampy