I have a 1992 King Quad which seems to be suffering from carburetor problems.

Symptoms:

- Using the choke floods the engine
- Starts fine with no choke
- "Blubbering" noise in idle
- Fouled spark plug (Constantly)
- Won't start at all in cold weather.

I'm pretty sure it's running too rich.
How does one adjust the carburetor on this particular quad? I've done carb work on other small engines before.

Thanks for any help!

 

Definitely too rich.

On a bike that old, it might be that your float isn't adjusted properly, or has a hole in it that's allowing more gas into the float bowl and not closing when the float bowl is full.

There's an idle mixture screw underneath the front of the carb. You could try adjusting that in to lean the idle, but I think it might be the float.

Mark

 

I have a '92 KQ and had similar probs. In my case the vibration of the engine caused the main needle to rub against the seat at partial throttle openings causing both the needle and seat to wear. The original needle and seat are brass but from memory the Suzuki replacements are stainless steel (they realised they had a problem). I have seen a number of KQ with the problem, and even the SS replacements do eventually wear as well. Hope this helps

 

I'm a little new to carburetor floats and the like... (The most experience i've had is on lawn mowers and boat motors).

How exactly does one adjust the float?

Thanks for the help!!!

 

Let's see if I can explain this correctly. I may make a few mistakes but here goes....

There's usually a little metal tab that contacts the float needle. The float needle is a small brass body with a (sometimes rubber) point that moves in and out of a passage that lets the fuel in the float bowl.

With the throttle opened:
The main jet sucks fuel out of the float bowl into the carb venturi. The pressure drop in the carb venturi allows the fuel to flow into the main jet, up the needle jet, and into the venturi. The intake stroke of the piston (4 stroke engine) causes a vacuum as it moves downward, thus causing a pressure differential (drop) and allowing the fuel to flow. This describes the fuel flow with the throttle opened.

Closed throttle:
Fuel flows along the idle circuit if the throttle is closed and the quad is idling.

Float operation:
The floats inside the float bowl are kind of like the float in a toilet. When the float bowl fills with fuel to the correct level, the floats cause the tab to lift the float needle and shut off the fuel. As the main jet uses fuel, the float drops allowing the float needle to move down and let more fuel into the float bowl, thus allowing a constant, regulated stream of fuel.

For my 2000 KQ the float height is adjusted by bending tab. To adjust the tab I'll quote the service manual:
"To check the float height, turn the carburetor upside down. Measure the float height while the float arm is just contacting the needle using vernier calibers" Just use a ruler (me)
"Bend the tongue (tab) as necessary to bring the float height to the specified level."

For my 2000 KQ, float height is .51 +/- .02 inches. Or about 1/2 inch.

Be careful when handling the floats, that little tongue bends very easily. If you don't want to turn the carb upside down, take off the float bowl, and GENTLY lift the float until it stops. While holding the float, measure the height from the bottom of the carb to the bottom of the float.

DISCLAIMER:
If you try this and do any type of damage to your quad, I am not responsible. If you follow my advice, you do so at your own risk. I don't mind helping people, but if something breaks I'm not responsible.

If you're not at all sure how to do it, take it to an authorized Suzuki dealer.


Hope this helps.
Mark

 

Thanks so much.

Your explanation makes perfect sense. I have actually done something like that but didn't know exactly what I was doing! And don't worry. I won't hold you responsible for my mistakes!

Thanks again!

 

The flooding problem on my carb was cause by the leaking O-ring on the needle and seat body. If your carb has a washer head screw holding down the the brass seat body , remove it and just pull the body out . The O-ring shrinks, leaks gas and over fills the bowl. This causes an over rich condition, flooding, poor idle, and stalling. Do not mess with the float setting, if you did, you will need to get the correct information and set it correctly. Get a new O-ring (and-or) needle and seat assembly. -Steve