I have a 5 speed semi, 2005 Eiger.
What would cause the quad to idle ok with the choke on, but once I back off the idle or thumb the throttle, it dies out. Someone had suggested water in the carb bowl. I'll drain it out with the drain screw on the bottom of the carb.
Any other ideas?

 

Sounds like clogged carb jet(s).
Need to remove, disassemble, and clean the carb and jets.
While you have the carb apart, there is some easy carb modifications that will improve starting, idleing, power & throttle response (essentially, you enrich the idle and power circuits, and enlarge the hole in the CV slide to quicken throttle response). Search the forum; I believe there is a sticky on this info.
You can also install a Dynajet kit on the carb, which will have all the instructions and parts to do the mods in one package. The kit is about $45-$50.

 

OK, here's what I did today. I drained the bowl and tried restarting. It didn't do anything different. SO, I did as you suggested and took it apart and cleaned the jets. They were clogged with dirt....good call.
Keep in mind that I was doing all this with the air filter off, as I was originally starting it with starting fluid (yesterday).
After putting it back together and playing with it, I was able to get it reving up...but it was hesitating and back firing.
This was with the choke still on.
After a while, I was able to rev it up and it would run better when I placed my hands over the intake (where the filter would butt up to). This would consistently happen.
I got to the point where I can run it and rev it up with the choke off, but again, I had to place my hand over the intake. If I took my hand off, it would die.

My neighbor was having some work done by his pool guy. He listened to me playing with it for a while then offered that he was a motorcycle mechanic by trade and doing pools on the side. He said that it sounded like it was running lean, and that I probably just needed a new air filter (K&N was what he suggested).
Does that sound plausible?

Turns out that I also need a clutch. What's recommended?

Thanks for your patience with me.

 

Start with the easy stuff:
1-Is there fuel in the tank?
2-Is the fuel or vent line kinked?
3-Is the fuel filter clogged?
4-Is the vacuum line connected?

If yes to all, it sounds like a passageway or port is still clogged.
Suggest you disassemble the carb again, remove the CV slider, float, needles, jets, etc. Be careful not to damage the latex diaphragm of the CV slider, and don't get carb cleaner on it.
Spray carb cleaner down each passageway and port/bypass port until the cleaner runs clear and clean out the other side.
Check the float and bowl for dirt--including the float needle seat. If the needle is stuck the carb will drown or starve for fuel.
Remove the plug over the idle mixture screw, and follow the directions from the Dynajet kit (Q310) to adjust the idle circuit. Here is a link to the Q310 instructions: http://www.dynojet.com/pdf/Q310.pdf

I would be suspicious of a mechanic that thinks your problem would be solved by adding a air filter.
The object of an air filter is to provide clean air to the engine with the least amount of air flow restriction.
When you use your hand to close off the intake, you are significantly restricting the air flow, causing the fuel/air mixture to be rich in fuel, low in air. If you were to install an air filter that restricts the air flow as much as your hand was in order to make the quad run, the quad would have no power, no acceleration/speed, etc.

From my '08 KQ400 Suzuki service manual:
"Idling or low-speed trouble":
1. Clogged or loose slow jet
2. Clogged slow jet passage
3. Clogged bypass port
4. Choke plunger not fully closed
5. Improperly set pilot screw
6. Incorrect float height

"Medium or Hi-speed trouble"
1.Clogged main jet
2. Clogged main air jet
3. Clogged needle jet
4. Improperly working throttle valve
5. Clogged fule filter
6. Incorrect float height
7. Choke plunger not fully closed

As for air filters, my preference is the No Toil brand, as you do not need harsh chemicals to clean them. Others favor K&N, Uni, Twin Air, etc. Rocky Mountain ATV has the No Toil for your quad, $13--cheap enough to buy two, so that you always have a clean one ready to install after a day of riding. I would put a "pre-filter" cover over the filter if riding in the dunes. RM ATV also sells a clutch kit by EBC, think its about $80-90.

 

Thanks KingQuad.
Is there a lazymans way to treat the carb, such as adding fuel injector cleaner and premuim fuel, or octane booster into the tank.

 

No.

 

Thanks again

 

Hey poolsean... My uncle has a Suzuki Eiger and he has a very similar problem like what you are describing. He found out that from the factory they run way too lean, which you said, so he asked them what he should do and they suggested buying a rejetting kit.
Hope this helps.

 

Thanks Kfx. I think I may need to rejet, eventually, but I'm going to do a teardown and cleaning of the carb, as KQ suggested.

 

Ok sounds good poolsean. Hope everything works out fine. Keep us posted.