I've got a Prairie 400 4x4 2002 with an idling problem.

It's got very few miles on it -- probably less than 100.

When cold, it'll only idle with the choke full on.

It take about 10-15 minutes to warm up enough to idle without the choke.

Even then, the idle is low.

I've tried to adjust the idle speed, but that doesn't help.

Is there a simple tune-up instruction available?

Anything that I can check easily enough?

Thanks,

Joseph

 

sometimes the cable for the idle adjuster get wound up and you have to use a screwdriver to get it to work right

 

Interesting, thanks.

Could you explain how the screwdriver is used or how the cable gets wound (or unwound)?

Thanks!

 

When you adjust the idle speed...it does make a difference in rpm...doesnt it?
You might need to richen the mixture screw, this will help the cold running problem on cold start up.
has the valve clearance been checked?

 

Yes, adjusting the idle screw affects the idle RPM. But, increasing it so it doesn't stall at idle means leaving it idling fast, which makes it noisy and not healthy to shift into/out of gear.

Should I check the plug before richening the mixture to see the color of the plug and get an indication of the current mixture, or does that procedure not bring any value?

I don't know how to check valve clearance. I can use a feeler gauge (if that's what is called for), but I've never taken the thing apart.

I've been looking for a shop manual, but can't find one.

Thanks!

 

Check ebay for a service manual, the procedure for checking valve clearance is in it. And it isnt that tough to do.
Theres many ways to set the mixture screw, but the one i like best is described in this article on jetting.
jetting
You can check the plug if you want... but it might be meaningless, as far as jetting goes. The gas you use has so many additives, the plugs dont usually show problems unless they are huge.

 

I've been searching for a service manual and the only one I've been able to find is the genuine Kawasaki one, along with the service addition. Total cost about $90. I was hoping there'd be a 3rd party book, or instructions online somewhere, but there doesn't seem to be.

Jetting's got very nice info -- thanks!

I'm looking at the parts diagram of the carb on kawasaki.com, and I see part 16014 "Screw-Pilot Air" -- is this the screw?

Just to be perfectly clear, is there a separate air mixture and fuel mixture adjusting screw, or is this one and the same?

 

Theres just the one screw for mixture. The other is the speed of the idle.
The air bleed is fixed, and isnt adjustable.
I did a search and couldnt find a 3rd party servce manual either, sometimes if there isnt enough demand, there arent any.

 

Great, thanks very much.

 

I had some insane idling problems with my 400 as well. Turns out that my fuel petcock gasket came apart and trashed out the passeges in the carb (GET A FUEL FILTER BEFORE ITS TOO LATE :-). A few screws and you can check your petcock and the part to repair it is cheap. The valves are very easy to check and adjust. You have to remove the fuel tank to get to the intake valve cover, and its easier with the left front wheel off to get the exhaust valves. The hardest part is bending the feeler guage so it fits in the opening without curving it out of spec. Adjusting them is self explanitory once you see them, loosen up the nut and turn the stem with a screwdriver, then tighten the nut. The CVK carb doesnt have much adjustment at all other than changing out needles or jets, so unless something is clogged up or your slide vacuum is somehow messed up like a broken diaphram, it should work. good luck