[comfun1]

My friend and I each bought new Ranchers in '07. His always started and idled great. Mine on the other hand was difficult to start and idled poorly until it was ridden 20-30 minutes or more. It's getting worse with age. It often sits for several months without being started. When I do try to use it I have to pull the choke and when it starts get it in gear and going before it can die. It still tends to idle better the longer I use it. When it idles it seems to cough and sometimes this kills the engine. Since it has done this since new, I wonder if there is an adjustable idle mixture on this carb. It has always been parked inside and has never had anything other than oil change and filter and toe-in change done to it.

Anyone have any ideas what to do or where to begin?

 

[shadetree]

My friend and I each bought new Ranchers in '07. His always started and idled great. Mine on the other hand was difficult to start and idled poorly until it was ridden 20-30 minutes or more. It's getting worse with age. It often sits for several months without being started. When I do try to use it I have to pull the choke and when it starts get it in gear and going before it can die. It still tends to idle better the longer I use it. When it idles it seems to cough and sometimes this kills the engine. Since it has done this since new, I wonder if there is an adjustable idle mixture on this carb. It has always been parked inside and has never had anything other than oil change and filter and toe-in change done to it.

Anyone have any ideas what to do or where to begin?

pull the carb..give it a good cleaning.

 

[Helmut]

Welcome to the forums. X2 on the carb cleaning.

 

[ostrx250]

welcome to the forum comfun1

 

[comfun1]

Is the carb on the '07 the same as the '00-'03?

 

[Helmut]

Is the carb on the '07 the same as the '00-'03?

What size Rancher is the '07, a 400? If so, I'm not positive they're the same, but I think they are. The jets might be a different size, too.

 

[94300ex]

welcome to the forums.

 

[comfun1]

Is the carb on the '07 the same as the '00-'03?

What size Rancher is the '07, a 400? If so, I'm not positive they're the same, but I think they are. The jets might be a different size, too.

It's a 350. I was hoping for something simple like a low speed carb adjustment. I think it's only got about 500 miles on it. If it suffers from dirt in the carb why does the performance improve after 20 to 30 minutes of ride time? Another symptom I forgot to mention is backfiring when coasting downhill with the throttle closed.

 

[Helmut]

It's a 350.

Or you sure it's an '07? I believe '06 was the last year for the 350 Rancher. Anyway, the carbs should be the same as the '00-'03 carbs, but I would check the jet size, it could have different size jets.

I was hoping for something simple like a low speed carb adjustment.

You could try adjusting the pilot screw, it might help.

If it suffers from dirt in the carb why does the performance improve after 20 to 30 minutes of ride time?

It could be running lean because of a dirty carb. A warm engine needs less fuel to run than a cold engine.

Another symptom I forgot to mention is backfiring when coasting downhill with the throttle closed.

This indicates a lean condition also. Could be a dirty carb, bad air cut off valve or leaking exhaust up close to the head.

I would begin by cleaning the carb and adjusting the pilot screw and go from there. Have the valves ever been adjusted? If the valves tightened up, that can also make it hard to start when the engine is cool.

 

[comfun1]

It's a 350.

Or you sure it's an '07? I believe '06 was the last year for the 350 Rancher. Anyway, the carbs should be the same as the '00-'03 carbs, but I would check the jet size, it could have different size jets.

I was hoping for something simple like a low speed carb adjustment.

You could try adjusting the pilot screw, it might help.

If it suffers from dirt in the carb why does the performance improve after 20 to 30 minutes of ride time?

It could be running lean because of a dirty carb. A warm engine needs less fuel to run than a cold engine.

Another symptom I forgot to mention is backfiring when coasting downhill with the throttle closed.

This indicates a lean condition also. Could be a dirty carb, bad air cut off valve or leaking exhaust up close to the head.

I would begin by cleaning the carb and adjusting the pilot screw and go from there. Have the valves ever been adjusted? If the valves tightened up, that can also make it hard to start when the engine is cool.

Valves have never been adjusted, I will try to check them, do they need it at 500 miles?

 

[Helmut]

Valves have never been adjusted, I will try to check them, do they need it at 500 miles?

Valve clearance is supposed to be checked after the first 100 miles and then after each additional 600 miles, according to the maintenance schedule.

Personally, I don't think they need to be checked that often, but they do need to be checked at around 100 miles, after the initial break in.

 

[comfun1]

To Helmut and Shadetree, give yourselves a pat on the back, tore the carb apart as you guys suggested and cleaned it and it truly runs better than new. I was surprised at the dirt and rust inside the carb, it's always been kept inside. I bought it new and it never started well or idled well even then, but she does now. Thanks again.

 

[Helmut]

That's great, glad you got it fixed!!

 

[tomgodd]

I did not help but am glad to hear its fixed.
Welcome to the Family!