Don't talk to the dealer or the guy who you bought your quad from, go straight for the mechanic and talk to him. I'm hoping this weekend will get warmer because I really want to go for a quad ride....I want to try out my big tires again.

 

my choke is like that, but it works, I'm not knocking it. my 500 cat tends to die after warming up ,too.

 

OK, a guy from these forms was kind enough to help me out with my problem, I'm not sure if the problem is fixed yet because I haven't driven the quad yet. This is what you should do:

1) Take off the seat
2) You will see a clear hose that runs from the carbratuer to under the seat. Its routed to the
right hand side of the quad.
3) Re-route the clear hose on the left side so the hose is not being pinched by the seat.


What the problem with the hose being on the right hand side is that the seat will push down on the hose and will pinch the hose. My hose was like only half as thick when I took the seat off, now imagine with the seat on, the hose will be even more pinched. Now imagine when you are riding it, the hose will probably be almost completely pinch down with no or hardly any airflow. This maybe the source of all our problems on this forum with the quads not idleing properly. Its a really easy fix and it makes sense that this could cause the problem.

When I drive my quad again this weekend I will see if this fixed the problem.

 

Gentelmen : I have been reading the posts on this subject with some curisoty because we have two 2001 SUZUKI LT-F500F and a LT-A500F (5 speed & auto,) that run the same engine and running gear as your AC 500i ,we only have about 350 miles on them but have not had any idle problems that this forum has discribed.When they were first started they ran a little slower but this was solved when they loosened up with a few miles. I think that the post(bbertram)posted might be closer to solving the problem. I don't know how AC routs their cables and hoses that would be different from those that are attached to the same parts as SUZUKI , but a pinched vent hose to the carb could be the answer. My point is.... the SUZUKI method of attachment to the same engine is not causing an idle a problem.....what is the diffrence?? This problem has not been addressed on the SUZUKI forem.

 

Stutz, you don't have to defend Suzuki. Nobody's saying they did something wrong. We just need to know if there is a problem with our (Arctic Cat) quads that can be fixed right-a-way. The manufacturer does the best he can to remedy all the hickups... But altimately, we get the real problems if there are any. Arctic Cat, as well as Suzuki, would like to know when there is a problem so they can fix it for us... No company can survive bad publicity. They know that...
Chuck, AC500i, Suzuki KQ-300.

 

**** Update ****


I went out for a quad ride this weekend, 33 miles. I drove her hard half the time and I never had any problems with my idle. So I would say to everyone, reroute that vent hose, even if you don't have idle problems !!!

Also the rerouting of the hose should go under the metal not on top of the metal like it came from the factory.

 

Brent I'm glad you fixed your idle problem! I did just what you describe the first time I removed the seat. Then the second thing I did was make relief cuts in the bodywork to get the seat to unlatch. It's important this hose is routed as high as possible since it allows the carb to breath. The same goes for the fuel tank vent hose this can get pinched off too. I always check this hose after I wash the bike very well. I've gotten water inside the hose from washing the air box area. A perfect fix would be a plastic "u" that could be zip tied to the frame preventing water from entering like an airlock.

I have 200 miles and the idle is perfect when warm. I can see where my bike will idle faster when the weather gets warmer.

The posts you read where the idle is racing is due to cable routing and adjustment problems. These carb systems aren't that sophisticated. They aren't like systems on cars that have systems to regulated fast idle.

 

Kool! I'll check mine tomorrow, hopefully the seat's not pinching it but I will reroute the hose anyway. Again, this was a very good thread. I appreciate the help, that really started with others here.
Chuck