I have an '06 Kawasaki Prairie 360 4x4. Three snorkels, 1 for intake and 2 for cvt. The bike runs great until the engine warms up and then it wants to sputter when I give it gas at low RPM's. I just had the carb jetted and cleaned and still the same issue. If I remove the lid on the air box it actually cures the problem, so I thought at first there wasn't enough air in the mixture, but it will not adjust out.

I'm just learning about vapor lock and that seems to be what I'm experiencing. On my bike the carb is only like an inch away from the motor head, so the carb itself is probably getting hot. I need some tips on what works if anyone has had this problem and solved it. I will most likely put some heat shield tape around my fuel lines, on the bottom of the fuel tank, and possibly fabricate a barrier between the carb and the engine. My exhaust pipe is directly under a metal fuel line that runs from the fuel valve to the carb, so I figure that's a good place to start insulating. I run the highest octane gas available, have not tried adding octane boost, but I read that it also helps. How about the carb heater? Should I disconnect the leads to that? I live in FL so I rarely have to worry about cold.

Thanks.
Mike

 

Try to run the bike with the gas cap off. If that works then you need to clean the vent tube out. I think that it is called the pitcock.

 

I tried it without the gas cap on, no change. no change if I plug the vent hole shut either. (which, theoretically should help to keep fuel from vaporizing because of the pressure created inside the tank)

I wrapped the exhaust in exhaust wrap. sprayed it and the heat shield with high temp silicon paint. built a heat shield out of roofing metal that attaches to the exhaust heat shield and cups the carburetor and associated components. the problem is not as bad. I think I'm honing in on the cause.

If I spray the carb with cold water it stops doing it immediately. should I try adding a fuel pump after the fuel valve to keep the fuel pressurized?

 

anyone else?

 

Thanks for the info you had on vaporlock. I have a 2003 Arctic Cat 500 and when I tow my 44 inch swisherRough cut mower for a while ,after about 45 minutes or so it begins to sputter,then eventually stall. I'm in first gear when this happens. I can ride all day by myself without towing anything with no problems. Any suggestions ? Thanks Tom B.