Plug color is what you're after regardless if 2 or 4 stroke. Should be light tan (cardboard color)...harder to tell in other throttle positions vs. full throttle as main & needle work together from 1/4 to 3/4 throttle. I'd make sure your main jet is close to stock...the size should be stamped on the jet (might need a magnifying glass if you're old like me)...do you have a manual? I did a quick search but couldn't find the stock jet size...you could always call a dealer an get the stock size from them...if the carb is stock....


Once you confirm main jet we can get rest sorted out...

 

OK - the quad had a new carb on it, and after talking to a local Bombardier distributor (who said it sounded like a dirty carb or the wrong jets) I decided to dismantle and clean the old carb and put it back on. Didn't work. In the process of putting the NEW carb back on, I noticed the throttle cable not returning quickly. I lubricated the cable, and now I have the new carb on and it starts pretty reliably and I have limited throttle capability. It does drop to idle, but will occasionally rev back up to near WOT on it's own. The old carb is a Mikuni and I didn't see a jet number even with a magnifying glass...

I think I have BIGGER problems, though... I was getting ready to take it out into the driveway for a fat-man test (195lbs is a bit much for this quad) and before it hit the ground I was letting it run for a minute to see if it idled down. Before it did I started hearing noises that sounded like a nut was loose and flying around in the CVT. Even took the chain off thinking perhaps it was a loose chain, but the noise is definitely in the CVT. I went to drain fluid out of it via the 14mm drain plug pretty much directly under the filler plug location, and only a few tablespoons of fluid came out.

Questions:
How much fluid is this case supposed to have?
Is the CVT fluid separate from the engine oil?
What type of fluid should I put back in?
How MUCH fluid should I put back in?
Should I be worried about the noise, or is that a common sound in a low-oil situation?

The manual I found for this - a Bombardier 2002 Shop Manual for DS50/DS90 2-stroke/DS90 4-stroke - is worthless regarding this, unless I didn't get a complete manual when I downloaded it...

Thanks!

 

OK - the quad had a new carb on it, and after talking to a local Bombardier distributor (who said it sounded like a dirty carb or the wrong jets) I decided to dismantle and clean the old carb and put it back on. Didn't work. In the process of putting the NEW carb back on, I noticed the throttle cable not returning quickly. I lubricated the cable, and now I have the new carb on and it starts pretty reliably and I have limited throttle capability. It does drop to idle, but will occasionally rev back up to near WOT on it's own. The old carb is a Mikuni and I didn't see a jet number even with a magnifying glass...

I think I have BIGGER problems, though... I was getting ready to take it out into the driveway for a fat-man test (195lbs is a bit much for this quad) and before it hit the ground I was letting it run for a minute to see if it idled down. Before it did I started hearing noises that sounded like a nut was loose and flying around in the CVT. Even took the chain off thinking perhaps it was a loose chain, but the noise is definitely in the CVT. I went to drain fluid out of it via the 14mm drain plug pretty much directly under the filler plug location, and only a few tablespoons of fluid came out.

Questions:
How much fluid is this case supposed to have?
Is the CVT fluid separate from the engine oil?
What type of fluid should I put back in?
How MUCH fluid should I put back in?
Should I be worried about the noise, or is that a common sound in a low-oil situation?

The manual I found for this - a Bombardier 2002 Shop Manual for DS50/DS90 2-stroke/DS90 4-stroke - is worthless regarding this, unless I didn't get a complete manual when I downloaded it...

Thanks!

 

Is yours a 2 or 4 stroke? CVTs require no fluids...they work on centrifugal force. Take the clutch cover off and try to better isolate/locate the "noise" you are hearing.


A complete shop manual is what you need as it will save you time/aggravation.


If a 2 stroke, you must have drained the transmission...which doesn't carry very much oil...not sure what the DS uses...the LTs use regular motor oil...

 

It's a 2004 DS50 2-stroke... I have a shop manual, and now that I'm understanding the machine a little better it's becoming more helpful...

I did drain the tranny, not realizing the point of separation between clutch and tranny - and I'm glad I did b/c manual says nearly a quart to fill and I'd be lucky if there was a 1/4 cup in there!!

Spoke w/a local service guy again today, who gave me a better understanding of how/why/what on carbs, so I'll pull the carb over the next few days and get the jetting numbers and compare those to specs... how would I ensure the jet sizes if I order a new carb on fleabay?

Also, I think the plug is the correct color, but if I can figure out how to post a pic from my phone...


There we go! What is the consensus?

 

Plug color is good...so air/fuel mixture is correct...I think your other carb issues are more cable/slide/routing related. I'd also check your carb slide spring...many clip them (shorten them) to help ease throttle pull...if clipped to much or your slide is sticking, that would explain the carb issues...


Also...you could check the throttle itself...crack it open and ensure there is no binding...


New carb - it will come with whatever jets they send...jets are cheap and can be bought at your local shop...

 

Good to know about plug - finally a good thing!! I was thinking similar thoughts regarding cable problems, so I took some time and cleaned/lubed the cables as best I could. Nothing to report regarding relative success/failure since now I'm chasing primary clutch issues!

No that I see the clutch is a dry unit, I assume there's no issues w/running engine to try and work out those problems while the clutch is dismantled?

DirtDevil101, you and old Polaris tech are worth your weight in new parts!! Thanks for being patient - and incredibly informative - while I get my trial-by-fire chops on these little quads!

 

What about those seals? The reed cracked?

 

I bought a 2008 taotao 110 and it was running great till the chain popped off. I put the chain back on and now there is no power. No lights and won't try to start. I can get it to start with a screw driver at the starter solenoid. Does anyone have any clue of what could be wrong with it???

 

By 'those seals' do you mean crank seals?

please enlighten me on reed valves, as I'm new to 2-strokes... what do I look for/how do I fix, or do I just replace...?

And since DirtDevil101's diagnosis of the plug was 'air/fuel mixture is correct' do either/both of the above still apply?

Not being cheeky - it's an earnest question...