My engine hunts, and is slow to settle down.

guzzispree · Post by **guzzispree** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 5:13 pm

My '87 is new to me. I bought it as a non-runner: the PO's teenage son had partially dissembled both the electric and kickstarts. Those problems are solved, now. It started eagerly - but only ran for seconds. I just replaced the bystarter - and now it'll start easily - and keep running, poorly. (While waiting for the by starter, I had carefully disassembled the carb and cleaned it.) I have the air screw 1 3/8s out, but turning it one way or the other for nearly a full turn seems to have little effect. The idle screw is turned all the way in; any less, and the engine will die. The engine will rev - but "hunts" very noticeably if I take my hand off the throttle. Plus, it won't settle down into an idle very easily at all. I'm still on the spark plug it came with. I know I should/will change it - but I didn't think that would affect the way it's performing. Is this my problem? Or...? Thanks.

guzzispree · Post by **guzzispree** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 6:10 pm

As a quick followup: I just pulled the plug...and this was after a 5 minute run, then a cool down...the plug was wet. So...I'm too rich. Maybe a float issue??

motormike · Post by **motormike** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 12:53 am

I'm thinking it sounds more like the pilot is still not flowing.
Clean, clean, and clean it again, sometimes it takes do-overs.
Always check for flow through every circuit...I like to use spray carb-cleaner.

Meatball · Post by **Meatball** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 1:22 am

Hunts? Slow to settle down?

Characteristics of Unregulated air entering the cylinder. AKA: air leak

guzzispree · Post by **guzzispree** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 6:33 pm

First off - thanks for the advice! It now runs nicely. I think...maybe...I had the carb gasket o-ring and carb o-ring facing each other. And...maybe...the float needle wasn't properly "clipped" in the float...plus I cleaned it all again. It now starts fast, idles nicely, settles down. Thanks for your help!!

Meatball · Post by **Meatball** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 9:49 pm

guzzispree wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2019 6:33 pmI had the carb gasket o-ring and carb o-ring facing each other

Bingo

motormike · Post by **motormike** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 11:28 pm

Good call Meatball...I totally overlooked the obvious. The bottomed out throttle adjustment screw and non effective idle air mixture screw had me thinking strictly pilot plugged. \

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My engine hunts, and is slow to settle down.

My engine hunts, and is slow to settle down.

Re: My engine hunts, and is slow to settle down.

Re: My engine hunts, and is slow to settle down.

Re: My engine hunts, and is slow to settle down.

Re: My engine hunts, and is slow to settle down.

Re: My engine hunts, and is slow to settle down.

Re: My engine hunts, and is slow to settle down.