I've been a lurker on this site for a while now and never had anything worth adding. Well now I have a problem I could use some help with. I've got a 96 Sportsman 400 2 stroke I'm ready to sell so I can move up to the 700. After sitting in the garage for about two months I went to start it and the only way I could get it to start and keep running was with the choke. Full choke to start, half choke to run but it will idle fast and as soon as I take the choke totally off the idle gets very rough. At this point it will idle but any amount of throttle will kill it. My first thought is that I have something gummed up in the idle circuit. I've never had the carb off and am wondering whats the best way to clean out the idle circuit. Should I pull the bowl and idle jet off and spray cleaner backwards throught the carb? If this isn't it are there any other suggestions.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Sounds like your pilot jet is plugged.You will need to remove the carb. and take off the float bowl.The pilot jet is offset from center,and usually recessed.Be careful when you unscrew it,brass is soft.Soak it in carb cleaner,hold it up to the light,to make sure you can see through it.Put it back together and ride.Hope this helps.

 

Thanks Bigfoot. I hope it's as easy as just cleaning the pilot jet.

 

WHAT? And get rid of the 2-stroke?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Besides cleaning the carb, I would also throw in a new sparkplug.

 

Yeah, I hate to get rid of the 2 stroke. You gotta like that right now power but a four stroke better suits the type of riding we do. If I don't like the 700 I can always sell it and try again.

 

Well I'm up and running again. Cleaning out the pilot jet did the trick. Thanks for the replies.

 

What kind of condition is the sp400 in, and how much are you wanting for it? Also, what part of the country are you in?

Waylan

 

Already sold $3400.00. I had someone ready to buy as soon as I finished the repair. It was in excellent condition with only 700 miles. Had pipe, K&N filter, Warn 2000# winch and gun scabbard. I'm curious as to what the market is bring for similiar bikes. Let me know if I let it go to cheap.

 

You got top dollar out of yours wish i could get that out of mine but its not a cherry and has over 3000 miles(hard miles)