[QuickStyle]

How can i get my 185s to idle properly when cold and hot. I have to hold the throttle open for 7-8 minutes for it to warm up before it will idle on its own. All maintenance is up to date, new carb with needle set on 2nd groove, pilot screw set about 2 1/2 turns out.

 

[misterclean59]

If it a new Chinese carb.....that may be your problem. In any case it sounds like your carb is lean on the fuel screw. Turn it out (counterclockwise, view looking at the screw) until is smooths out. If you go about 3.5 turns without a remedy then the pilot/slow jet needs to be increased one size and start at quarter turn on the fuel screw.

 

[Goober]

Does this unit have a starter jet attached to the choke cable? Take a look at it may be stuck to the point where you can't choke it

 

[QuickStyle]

It is an ebay carb, but i had the same problem with the original. Ill try turning out the pilot screw some more and report back. There is no choke cable, the choke is a manual lever on the carb with 3 positions, full, half, open. What would proper operation look like? As if i start it cold, how long should i have to wait before i can turn off the choke?

 

[misterclean59]

Hondas have been lean from the factory for a long time. Turn the screw more as suggested. A larger jet should be less than $5 You can check for an air leak between the carb and engine by spraying WD 40 or a similar product where the suspected leak is. the engine will change RPM's if there's a leak. It is always a good idea to adjust valves when doing a carb job because tight valves can mask a carb problem

 

[SamUK]

I would certainly look back at the OEM carb and give it a thorough cleaning along with a known good brand rebuild kit if there available.

 

[misterclean59]

I would certainly look back at the OEM carb and give it a thorough cleaning along with a known good brand rebuild kit if there available.

Perhaps the best advice.

 

[QuickStyle]

sorry for delayed response. i got around to rebuilding the original carb and cleaning it. it seems to be a little better than the ebay carb, but it still wont idle on its own til it is warmed up, i've spray for vacuum leaks and there are no signs of any, i've tried playing with different pilot screw settings and nothing seems to work, best spot is about 2 turns out, but i still have to hold the throttle open to keep it from dying til it is warmed up, ive tried in all three choke positions with no solution.

 

[shadetree]

adjust the throttle cable idle at either the carb or throttle on the bars.

 

[QuickStyle]

adjust the throttle cable idle at either the carb or throttle on the bars.

already did that there is a nut on the cable by the carb, pretty sure i did it correctly, im supposed to adjust it to have play on the throttle, as in only the idle screw should be holding the idle and the cable should be loose?

 

[shadetree]

adjust the throttle cable idle at either the carb or throttle on the bars.

already did that there is a nut on the cable by the carb, pretty sure i did it correctly, im supposed to adjust it to have play on the throttle, as in only the idle screw should be holding the idle and the cable should be loose?

if I am not mistaken ?, there is a idle screw on the side of the throat on that model, it turns in or out to raise or lower the slide inside the throat to adjust the idle. I will check up on this, and make sure I am correct on this, and let ya know.

 

[shadetree]

yep, that carb has a screw that is on the throat slide, it raises or lowers the slide to adjust the idle.

 

[QuickStyle]

Ya it has an idle screw, that is what ive been adjusting the idle with, but can only adjust it to idle on its own at either hot or cold, not both. Spec calls for 1400 rpm. Im using a digital rpm gauge that clamps over the plug wire. If i adjust it to 1400 when cold it will idle just fine, but the rpms progressively increase as the engine warms all the way to about 2000 rpm. If i adjust idle to 1400 while engine is warmed up, it will idle just fine, but have to hold throttle open when cold to keep it from dying. Sorry if i wasn't clear on the problem before.

 

[shadetree]

Ya it has an idle screw, that is what ive been adjusting the idle with, but can only adjust it to idle on its own at either hot or cold, not both. Spec calls for 1400 rpm. Im using a digital rpm gauge that clamps over the plug wire. If i adjust it to 1400 when cold it will idle just fine, but the rpms progressively increase as the engine warms all the way to about 2000 rpm. If i adjust idle to 1400 while engine is warmed up, it will idle just fine, but have to hold throttle open when cold to keep it from dying. Sorry if i wasn't clear on the problem before.

pull the carb out, have a look at the idle jet ( slow jet ), see if it's stopped up ?, not clear enough ?.

 

[QuickStyle]

I did have some trouble cleaning the idle jet, it appears to be press fit and not serviceable on the oem carb. The ebay carb idle jet was removable and made it real easy to clean. I cleaned it as much as i could with cleaner and compressed air. I'll try to clean it some more, i think i might soak the whole carb overnight in some vinegar.

 

[SamUK]

Also Clean the emulsion tube in the carb, the bit with all the little holes through the sides. This will affect low throttle running and idling.

Get yourself some of these....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/401380107059

And these...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/332385840944

 

[QuickStyle]

ok, i disassembled the carb and soaked everything in a tub of vinegar for 24 hours and blew out all the ports, i was able to get some more crud out of the slow jet. purchased a rebuild kit for it, it is idling like normal when its cold or warmed up, but seems to be running real rich (black smoke) and bogs when giving it throttle, if i let it idle like this for a while it will shut down and wont restart until i clean the spark plug which is showing that it is obviously way to rich. i've got the needle clip on the 2nd groove and the idle screw turned out 2 full turns just like the manual says. any ideas?

 

[shadetree]

ok, i disassembled the carb and soaked everything in a tub of vinegar for 24 hours and blew out all the ports, i was able to get some more crud out of the slow jet. purchased a rebuild kit for it, it is idling like normal when its cold or warmed up, but seems to be running real rich (black smoke) and bogs when giving it throttle, if i let it idle like this for a while it will shut down and wont restart until i clean the spark plug which is showing that it is obviously way to rich. i've got the needle clip on the 2nd groove and the idle screw turned out 2 full turns just like the manual says. any ideas?

are you sure you cleaned the fuel/air mixture area good ?, didn't leave the tiny o-ring down in the carb did ya ?. I never go by idle knob turns out, I go by sound, not turns out. main thing you should be concerned about for turns out, is the fuel/air mixture jet.

 

[QuickStyle]

ya im turning it out by the best sound as well, but it always ends up right by 2 turns out. before i put it back together i stuck a pick in the idle screw hole to see if anything was left down there and it only felt like metal, i cant see down in there to verify tho. however the engine will still idle with the screw turned all the way in, so im not sure what that means. the order i installed it in was o-ring, washer, spring, screw.

 

[shadetree]

ya im turning it out by the best sound as well, but it always ends up right by 2 turns out. before i put it back together i stuck a pick in the idle screw hole to see if anything was left down there and it only felt like metal, i cant see down in there to verify tho. however the engine will still idle with the screw turned all the way in, so im not sure what that means. the order i installed it in was o-ring, washer, spring, screw.

did you make sure the old tiny o-ring was not stuck down in there ?.