Have 2000 Sportsman 500. It idles really low and stalls out quite a bit. Also backfires occasionally. I tried to adjust the carburator screw but it does not really effect the idle speed much at all. The choke also does not seem to have any effect on engine. I can pull the choke all the way out when it is idleing and it does not do anything. Does this sound like a gummed up carburator?

 

i would think so. your choke circuit is probably clogged and pilot jet probably has some gunk in it. it wouldnt hurt to clean it out anyways.

 

how many adjustment screws are there? I only see one under the bowl, kinda has a small **** on it. Is there anymore?

 

that is the idle adjustment i think and there is an fuel screw as well. did this bike set for a long time w/out running? did it just start doing this problem? does it run good on top end? the choke circuit should be letting more gas in when its pulled and would actually flood out the bike when it was warm from too much fuel. how many miles on the bike.

 

it did sit for quite awhile, about 8 months. It runs good at top end. Just idles low and when I try to adjust the screw under the carburator bowl it does not really do much, plus the choke has no effect. it has about 2500 miles on bike