Greetings, everyone.
I'm finally servicing my 2011 for the first time. It's always run "okay" but not great. I'm planning adjust the valve clearance and pull and clean the whole fuel system, including the carb.

Decided to start with the valve clearances. According to the online PDF book, (https://www.manualslib.com/manual/836292/Kawasaki-Prairie-360-4-4.html - PAGE 43) the intake valve should be .0032-51 in. and the exhaust should be 0.0059-79 in. So I set them at .005 and .007 respectively and closed it all back up. Thought I was done with that part.

THEN I took a look at a video, ( ) and that mechanic says the intake clearance should be .002 and exhaust should be .005. Not sure what year he has, but his machine runs great at the end of the video.

Could someone verify what the clearances should be for a 2011 Prairie 360?

Thanks, I appreciate the help!

 

If all clearance was lost, the valves would be open slightly all the time and compression would go down. Valve clearances are there so that as components expand, the valves still close. Too much and the valves get noisy and don't open quite as early, or as far, but 0-001" difference between the video and the book is not going to alter things enough to worry about. I would go by the book, just in case you do need that extra 0-001" when things get hot.

 

Thanks, Merryman, I appreciate the reply and specific information.
I keep hearing different things from different sources. I need to find a year-specific book for this machine. Not sure where to look, but I'm going to search online. Hopefully, I can find one.

 

I was looking at the video again, and I just noticed that after he posts .002 and .005, he ALSO posted the specs my book shows at minute 2:06 -2:10.. Maybe the first measurements were what he found initially?
I apologize for this post. I should have been more observant.

On the other hand, I just cleaned the carbs, and the motor revs now, but still doesn't idle very well. Must have missed something. Will go back into it tomorrow.

 

Wait a minute... I JUST noticed something... It says: Unscrew the pilot screw and remove it with its spring, washer, and O-ring.

I did NOT see an O-ring on that pilot screw. I'm guessing it's either jammed at the bottom of the hole or it's missing completely. That would certainly explain what is happening. Clearly I should have read the manual closely before I started. I need to go back in and look for that O-ring.

I appreciate having someone to bounce ideas and get help from. Thanks. I'll post an update after going back in.

 

Follow up question..
Machine is running okay again, but as always, it's got a lot of hesitation at top end and doesn't get the speed of the other 360. I feel that I need to go up in size of main jet.

Does anyone know the original main jet size of a prairie 360?
What size would you recommend upgrading to?

Thanks.