Aint that the truth. Mechanics not only have to overcome ridiculous issues like this, but also understand how the part should work inside and out but also understand the symptoms of failure of the specific part... In some cases this can be easy but sometimes this also means understanding much more than the engineer that built the damn part! Thanks for letting me vent a little! lol.
You remind me of my Pawpaw! He was great, and knew how to fix anything. Thanks for temporarily filling in for him with this video. He would have approved
I feel your pain!....I had to buy same tool for a total different manufacturer ATV. Like you said if you can get to it with a tiny screwdriver it burns your hand and that tool really helps!
I have a drawer full of specialized tools for stuff like this that I only use once a year! Problem is when something breaks, it's the ONLY tool to fix it. A
Thanks for the great video Dude. Got me a Pilot Screw tool from Amazon and like you showed us, it worked like a charm. For an extra .50 cents, the manufacturers should of put a "Thumb screw" pilot screw to save us all the frustration. Thanks again
Thank you very much! I've been searching the internet to find out where the mix screw was. You not only pointed it out but told me what I needed to adjust it. Bless you sir!!
This was supposed to be a reply to a comment left by somebdy else and I accidently created a new comment. Thanks for sharing the information abd great editing of the video. If the requirements to design the motor included making it simple to work on then it would be. Engineers aren't always asked to make it simple to work on and sometimes it's quite the contrary. There's a reason they have service technicians who have specilialty tools. They can complete jobs quicker than the hours you may get billed for. They can also sell the specialty tool to the DIY guy and make money.
Thanks for the tip. I immediately bought one of those tools. I made three small angled screwdrivers from ten penny nails still couldn't make it work. Glad to hear others have these kinda problems. Misery love company. Cheers!
Thank you! 😊 and hello Texas. Hope there are other ideas to help out. Sorry nothing on shooting wild pigs! All we have around here are moose, bear and deer. A
I thoroughly enjoyed your frustrations. I like straight forward repairs. I'm taking this Yamaha Bruin 350 apart right now and it was also replaced with an aftermarket carb. It boggs down while giving it throttle and then dies. I think the initial setting is 2 1/2 turns out. Out of all the tools I have, I can say that I don't have that one either...lol
Thanks for the video, didn't know where the pilot screw was . Was able too adjust mine with a 1/4 in drive ratchet, 1/4in socket and a short flat bit . 2000 Polaris expedition
Keep up the good work on the videos. Great tips. I have a 330 sportsman that needs a tune-up. I’ll be placing an order for one of these! Thanks Alec and Kevin
Oh my God, thank you!! I have been messing with my stupid carb for the last couple days and I've literally been taking out the carb completely and turning the screw and putting it back in. I'm buy one of those immediately!
Thank you for the info on that I’ve been removing my carb to adjust and re-adjust it over and over until the intake boot split . And I attempted to make tools same issue , hot motor! IDE buy you that drink if I could right on thank you much✌🏻
I have this tool. It works on many but not. I have a ton of small home made screw drivers for pilot screws. Remember the smallest turn makes a big difference.
That's probably good for weird angle screws but this needs the very small in/out adjustment to get the perfect rpm setting. Thanks for the drill tip. A
I took an old speedometer cable, welded a screw driver bit to one end and a nut to other. Threaded threw a rubber hose that fits over the screw housing. I don't like spending money on something I'll hardly ever use
They make a after market pilot screw that has a knob that hangs down. For about 6 bucks on Amazon. I got one just because of this issue. Hope this helps.
@@maxaduke www.amazon.com/NICECNC-Mixture-Adjuster-Carburetor-DRZ400SM/dp/B07LF69WVL/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=mikuni%2Bextended%2Bair%2Bscrew&qid=1622835597&s=automotive&sr=1-1&th=1 could not find the 6 buck one he referred to but this is for a Mikuni carb,, see a lot offered for Kehin carbs.. when bought carb kit wish was a suggested part...
Just an idea I had but if you remove the air box there are 2 screws that keep the carburetor in place. Take those out, loosen the hose clamp and rotate the carb a little clockwise. Gives you a better angle on that screw. Don't go too far or the fuel float may become an issue.
Tried that but my short chubby fingers make it hard to work. The screwdriver works so much better for me. Thanks for the tip, others may find it helpful. A
Great video. No bullshit. Direct and to the point. I'm about to remove and rebuild my carburetor after paying to have it done last year and the, "Professional" who rebuilt it probably didn't adjust it right. Real pain to start, especially in cold weather. doesn't want to idle right, and bogs under wide open throttle conditions. Also the Polaris "Enrichment tube" choke joke is meaningless under current conditions. All this spell s improper mixture. Also stinks like it's running really rich under WOT conditions
Sorry to hear of your problems but you sound like a fella who does not give up and will get it fixed before the snows melt (meaning April for me). Thanks for watching and good luck.
@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch I opened the valve covers to try and adjust my valves cause its blowing excessive gas into the air filter. My feeler gauges are rusted with no numbers🤦💜✌☝
I ran into the exact same problem with a Suzuki quadmaster I just bought. Both the oem and aftermarket card have the same damn location for the pilot screw. Blows my mind that anyone would think that location would be easily to adjust
thank you for sharing! I have a 04' 400 that idles at about 1430 and it makes it almost impossible to shift. I'm trying to lower my idle before I start blaming the clutches. My problem is I know very little about carburetors.
so I pulled the "snorkel" off the clutch cover and unscrewed the idle adjust and it seams to idle pretty good at 1150. Did I screw up? It shifts much easier but still wants to move. A few days ago I pulled the cover off the clutches expecting to find a broken spring or worn belt and didn't see anything obvious. I pushed the drive clutch in and released several times and noticed that the weights would sometime hang up on the shaft? spindle? ... what ever it's called. Truth is I don't know what I'm doing so any advise would be appreciated. Any one thinking "Take it to Polaris" I just changed the oil and drained about 100 Oz out of it. The Polaris dealer was the last one to touch it. I'm a bit upset about their "I don't care" philosophy. I'm mad at me too for trusting that the job was done correctly. I never checked till today when the wrench icon showed up.
Search Google for 'pilot screw adjustment tool' and look at the images. There is only a few models but sold in lots of stores and online. Hope this helps.
My UA-cam search was about a different issue, but it's good to learn what people run into and how they resolve it because I'll eventually have a need to know. I zeroed in on the lack of info in the manual because that issue is way too familiar. Good, clear, complete manuals are as rare as toilet paper in a pandemic. Most of them drive me nuts because they make a lot of assumptions about what you might already know, and honestly they're thrown together at the last minute when new models are already on the floor and whatever is wrong in the manual never gets corrected. The publisher I loved was 'Robert Bentley.' They sold after market manuals for a limited number of makes and models, and the one I got for an 85 Jetta diesel decades ago was amazing. At 200K miles I cooked my diesel before I realized a radiator hose crapped out. Despite knowing almost nothing, the manual walked me through a rebuild that was still solid when I sold it another 80K later. With that manual, I could diagnose and repair literally anything that came up with that car, and not once did it ever see the inside of a shop. While I've finally gotten to the point where a shop repair won't ruin my finances, I enjoy sorting things out for myself and trust myself more than a shop that's been hit and miss for me. Our local bike and ATV dealer is a small rural shop where the less experienced seem to start, and once they've mastered their craft they move on to a bigger, busier dealer. Any given day it's a crap shoot as to whether something was done well, or just well enough to get you out the door for a return with the same issue a week later. 😖 So as for manuals, I'd almost shop for the best manual on the market and buy the make and model it's written for. 😄
I was great to read you experiences with manuals, which is similar to mine with several of my big ranch items. I think taking shop in high school showed me that things can be fixed, if you understand the principle first. Thanks for sharing and watching this guy struggle through todays silly problems. A
@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch Shop classes were my absolute favorite and a big help in everyday life. We didn't master anything, but were at least exposed to everything including the most basic engineering and trouble shooting concepts. While I hear some public schools are bringing back shop classes, there's a whole generation who got utterly shortchanged by schools. But as things like technology change, mysteries emerge and while the technical writing craft should be in top form by now - able to clear up mysteries for those of us with a manual in hand, they seem as bad as ever. Exasperating when you run into an issue like yours that would be a common puzzle to most, that isn't explained at all. Thanks to you, I now know there's a tool for that. And imagine all the revenue they lose when they could describe the tool and reference their own sales department in the appendix or a footnote. I have a small farm with all the similar challenges. I have a love/hate relationship with those challenges so it's been fun to discover a channel where I can appreciate any challenge other than my own, or relate to an issue because I've already had to wrestle with the same thing. Cheers!
Looks like they do. At the time of this video I had tried all my own tools and ideas then hit the internet till I found this. Works great on all my ATV's, snowmobiles. The really smart idea would be to position it were anyone with a slot screwdriver could get to it. Thanks for watching Jasper.
Hi Alec.Being in maintenance for 30+ years (man I'm old!?) I have seen so many machines that have inaccessible components or large bolts with no way to swing a wrench with a pipe on it. It does seem to be an issue that designers never got their hands dirty working on these machines. It can also be poor placement of a machine during installation ,I recall one large injection molding machine that was in a pit with 2" clearance to the hydraulic valve manifold. Valves and hoses were 90% of the issues. I have a tool box full of modified wrenches and hex keys and still many skinned knuckles to show for it. Ps I have never seen so many conversations from your old vrs new training video, a hot topic! take care Owen m
The assembly process for these and similar machines (and many other devices) is such that it goes together smoothly and quickly which is the goal. But, subsequent disassembly can be a real pain. I don't want to remove the engine to change the spark plug. Alec
Very good narrative, you should an actor! By the way, better yet is to replace it with an aftermarket air fuel screw, it is longer than stock and has a larger finger dial, no-tool adjustment after mod.
That is a good idea if you have one. Ii have had up to 3 different models of ATV's so one tool for all is cheaper that buying 3 aftermarket screws. Thanks for that idea. A.
I've been fighting with my machine for three weeks trying to get it right this is the tool I've been dreaming of! Where can I buy it can you please send a link I would like to buy one as soon as possible I'm so close but yet so far I just need that screwdriver thank you so much for this video!
Search Amazon for "pilot screw adjustment tool", there are lots to pick from (more than when I did this video). Good luck and hope it saves your hands like it did mine. A.
That works if you have space to rotate it 180 degrees to get another turn in. Mine has inches of turn space so this lets me adjust it with no handle movement. Hope yours works as well as this did. Thanks for watching.
Isn’t it frustrating when designers or engineers don’t think about who’s gonna have to work on this later God is so frustrating I know exactly how you feel nice video love the way it did it
It's not just Polaris every single motorcycle ATV 3-wheeler dirt bike manufacturer has this setup and you must have one of these tools or one similar to properly adjust
So I replaced my carburetor on my Honda 300 it runs completely normal in neutral. I can rev it all the way out and it will not cut off and it will run all day. But as soon as I shift it into gear and give it about half throttle it tries to bog out, but it doesn’t fully, I’ve tried adjust the pilot screw, and throttle, but it still does it. Do you know why this might be?
Since it runs fine until it's under load, I'd guess it's starving for fuel. Check the gas tank lever, fuel filter, tubes & bowl. The easiest way is to turn off the fuel, pull the fuel line off of the carb & run it down to the ground. Open the tap. Fuel ought to pour out quite quickly. If it just dribbles, that's a sign of a clog somewhere. Try pulling the choke on part way while driving. If it runs better, that confirms a lack of fuel. If everything checks out OK, you may have to set the fuel level in the bowl - not hard. Just a pain the the butt. Good luck. Alec
@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanchI’ve been having the same issue however mines a 4x4 wolverine, i was assuming the opposite so thank you so much for asking the question and thank you so much for the answer. I’m literally going out to my garage now to try it out.!!
Glad to help. A few more ATV videos coming. I seem to find problems with no help online so I make my own. One even has a silly blooper at the end if Kevin keeps it in. A
one of those tiny 90 degree bent flat head and phillips head screwdrivers you get with a stupid furniture kit might work. of course, i've always thrown them away because there not a real tool. wishing i had one now. brand new ebay carb but having minor issues.
Jeez I thought I was only one. Every single older 4 stroke carb has the pilot screw in the terrible spot. They make it so easy on 2 stroke carbs. Is the bit deep enough on that tool?
many a burnt hand with stubby screwdriver.. I have a flexible shaft driver for those old GM point sin collection that hasn't been used much, guess I could add one of these to that collection of barely used tools... yes, poor location indeed... just rebuilt carb for friend, never hear it run prior, has rough idle, shakes rig but smooths right out son as off idle.. was wondering if I had to play with this screw, set at the 1.5 turns old one was at... wish kits came with new drain screw.. that was pretty goobered up from prior draining and tightening to tight.. people who are forced to run ethanol need to use that screw any time machine sits, so they get chewed up, should have hex end or something other than what they have now......
I rebuilt my artic cat 500 it's hell to pull start and the carb is out of ajust ment and even less room than this been racking my brain trying to figure this out.
Think I found it on Amazon but many tool stores should have an equivalent, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, etc. It is really handy to have around with small engines.
@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch thanks, i went out to my shop after i commented on your video and made one. lol. here is the link to that video of me making it ua-cam.com/video/mUd4NgjVs0A/v-deo.html
@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch well my atv hasn’t run right the whole time I’ve had it but it’s because of many things on it don’t function right. It has all the issues
I.5 turns out from seated is the starting point but don't turn it down tight or you can damage the little seals. From my CD rom manual for sportsman 600.
i know its rediculous. i just bought one of these machines. i loosen the boot clamps with the mount removed, turn the whole carb, make an adjustment, set it straight again and see what happens. it's a pain. thats polaris and mkuni's fault. not sure who is more to blame, probably mkuni.
A flex shaft screwdriver works great ! That carb isn’t the OEM carb ? I had a 1999 Scrambler and that carb is a lot different then the one on mine ! That’s why I just bought a 2019 Honda Rancher 420 and sold my Polaris because of belt and carb issues !
It's the original carb. It's just mounted so close to the crankcase that you can't get a tool under the pilot screw. I have several flexible shaft drivers but they don't bend sharply enough. I guess that's why this tool was made. It wasn't marketed for Polaris so there must be others with the same problem. I am very happy with Polaris overall. I raced Yamaha and rode many Hondas. Polaris is usually very easy to work on, parts are plentiful and they are reliable even when mistreated. Certainly, since Polaris was a leader in the development of the belt/variable pulley system, that's not been in issue for me. Thanks for watching. Alec
How about trying a 105 Degree 1/4 Inch Right Angle Drill Adapter Hex Shank Screwdriver Angled Bit Holder? I just ordered one to try it out and I can use it on other things. I also ordered a fuel adjustment screw made for my 2004 Polaris Sportsman 500HO that is extended so I don't have to use any tool, only my fingers to adjust. Amazon has it. Hope it all works right.
Good luck with that Manuel but for my ATV, this bent tool works great and for other hard to reach parts. I'm just glad I found it before I ripped the engine out!!
So i have a 2004 polaris 700 twin bought new carb and wouldnt move even with gas so i took it to shop less then 3 days it wont go in high speed or up a high wont move they guy mixed old one with new one at that time. He said buy oem one but thats 600 . Qution is should i try another Chinese carb or sell the dang thing cause for 600 for carb getting close to another used atv.
Most ATV problem can be fixed by a good mechanic or lots of time on UA-cam!!!! Skip the cheap carb and try a better one, maybe OEM or just below that price. Join an ATV forum and get the input from many experts with the same model. I stuck with my Polaris models and the parts and knowledge are shared. Good luck. A
I have always maintained that engineers who design this stuff should be required to work in the dealer shops on the stuff they created.
Ha!!
Wouldn't that turn the world upside down!!
Alec
They will never know the real needs of customers
Aint that the truth. Mechanics not only have to overcome ridiculous issues like this, but also understand how the part should work inside and out but also understand the symptoms of failure of the specific part... In some cases this can be easy but sometimes this also means understanding much more than the engineer that built the damn part!
Thanks for letting me vent a little! lol.
they do it so you go to the stealership
Amen
You remind me of my Pawpaw! He was great, and knew how to fix anything. Thanks for temporarily filling in for him with this video. He would have approved
Thanks for the kind words! I appreciate it.
A
I feel your pain!....I had to buy same tool for a total different manufacturer ATV. Like you said if you can get to it with a tiny screwdriver it burns your hand and that tool really helps!
I have a drawer full of specialized tools for stuff like this that I only use once a year! Problem is when something breaks, it's the ONLY tool to fix it.
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@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch yep! Got to have them!
Not one down thumb really shows your video on this frustrating part of the carb really is helpful. Thank you sir!
You're welcome! Maybe lots of others are frustrated with the same problem.
Thanks for the great video Dude. Got me a Pilot Screw tool from Amazon and like you showed us, it worked like a charm. For an extra .50 cents, the manufacturers should of put a "Thumb screw" pilot screw to save us all the frustration. Thanks again
Yes! Just like Ikea puts allen keys in their boxes.
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Thank you very much! I've been searching the internet to find out where the mix screw was. You not only pointed it out but told me what I needed to adjust it. Bless you sir!!
You are very welcome. Hope there are more tips to help out.
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I was skeptical at first, but great video. Well done.
Glad you enjoyed it
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This was supposed to be a reply to a comment left by somebdy else and I accidently created a new comment. Thanks for sharing the information abd great editing of the video.
If the requirements to design the motor included making it simple to work on then it would be. Engineers aren't always asked to make it simple to work on and sometimes it's quite the contrary.
There's a reason they have service technicians who have specilialty tools. They can complete jobs quicker than the hours you may get billed for.
They can also sell the specialty tool to the DIY guy and make money.
Thanks for sharing with everyone.
A
Thanks for the tip. I immediately bought one of those tools. I made three small angled screwdrivers from ten penny nails still couldn't make it work. Glad to hear others have these kinda problems. Misery love company. Cheers!
I feel for you Sam. Tried several methods and this bent tool works fine and can be used for other engines. Thanks for watching Sam.
Thank you-thank you-thank you for sharing!!!! Ingenious!!! Hugs from Deadend Ranch, Texas!
Thank you! 😊 and hello Texas. Hope there are other ideas to help out. Sorry nothing on shooting wild pigs! All we have around here are moose, bear and deer.
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No wonder I couldn't find that darn pilot screw. Thank you.
Glad to help. It really ticked me off too.
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One of the best videos I’ve seen thank you for sharing this is Exactly what I was looking for
Glad it was helpful!
A
I thoroughly enjoyed your frustrations. I like straight forward repairs. I'm taking this Yamaha Bruin 350 apart right now and it was also replaced with an aftermarket carb. It boggs down while giving it throttle and then dies. I think the initial setting is 2 1/2 turns out. Out of all the tools I have, I can say that I don't have that one either...lol
Thanks for the laugh and to know I have one tool more than another DIY guy!!! Good luck on the repair and lots more tips coming Paul.
Thanks for the video, didn't know where the pilot screw was . Was able too adjust mine with a 1/4 in drive ratchet, 1/4in socket and a short flat bit . 2000 Polaris expedition
My hands are big and stubby so nothing worked till this tool. Glad you have a tool that works on the Polaris.
Keep up the good work on the videos. Great tips. I have a 330 sportsman that needs a tune-up. I’ll be placing an order for one of these! Thanks Alec and Kevin
330? or 335?
Alec
Alec Peirce At The Ranch It’s a 330 Sportsman, from back in 2002.
Oh my God, thank you!! I have been messing with my stupid carb for the last couple days and I've literally been taking out the carb completely and turning the screw and putting it back in. I'm buy one of those immediately!
I was suffering the same as you. Glad this tip helps get your motor tuned faster and back on the trails.
Thank you for the info on that I’ve been removing my carb to adjust and re-adjust it over and over until the intake boot split . And I attempted to make tools same issue , hot motor! IDE buy you that drink if I could right on thank you much✌🏻
Glad to help a fellow tinkerer out. How about you have that drink and tell me how good it was! Thanks for watching.
If Clint Eastwood had a brother this dude would be it 👍
Thank you my friend, I'm feeling very lucky today.
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Sir . Thank You Very Much For Making This Video.. It Will Save A Lot Of People A Lot Of Headache And Confusion .
You are most welcome.
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Thanks for the tip on the fancy tool! Just ordered one.
Hope you enjoy it!
A.
I have this tool. It works on many but not. I have a ton of small home made screw drivers for pilot screws. Remember the smallest turn makes a big difference.
Absolutely Henry. Good to meet another tool collector, or 'horder' as my wife calls me.
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You see that, Kevin! ! Look right there! !!
Ha ha, he's probably reading this now laughing too.
salut from Transilvania,you are a cool guy, you have a smoky age, we are twins, you are a good professional and also a good teacher, respect !!!
Thanks and welcome Dragne.
Took a ratchet wrench and a screwdriver bit duck taped it inside worked great
That sounds like a good solution. Never go wrong with duck tape.
Dewalt and other manufacturers make a 90 degree that goes on a drill, just put a 1/4” nut driver on it. I use mine all the time for different things
That's probably good for weird angle screws but this needs the very small in/out adjustment to get the perfect rpm setting. Thanks for the drill tip.
A
I ended up cutting the thumb and pointer finger tips off a pair of old gardening gloves then used a 2" slotted screw driver bit.
Amazing how much consumers have to innovate to get a screw to turn in a location only a sick engineer would put it. Thanks for the tip Dan.
I just did the same Damm thing to the same Damm fingers
I have been scratching my head with the same issue, tool is ordered, thanks so much for the info. Danny
No problem 👍
@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch can i please find out where I can order one of these.... or the technical name for this driver
I took an old speedometer cable, welded a screw driver bit to one end and a nut to other. Threaded threw a rubber hose that fits over the screw housing. I don't like spending money on something I'll hardly ever use
Nice idea
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Great video thx. Funny how just a regular guy can explain Polaris better than the company who makes them.
I know, right? Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the video. Just got my L screwdriver in. Haven't used it yet, but looks like might work.
Good luck! I'm so glad I finally found a working solution. I ran out of tools and hand skin trying to solve this with my home tools.
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My Yamaha Kodiak 450 needs the same tool. THANK YOU for your knowledge!!
Glad to help Erik
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Where did you get that tool
Amazon, search for 'pilot screw too' and lots of options will show up.
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They make a after market pilot screw that has a knob that hangs down. For about 6 bucks on Amazon. I got one just because of this issue. Hope this helps.
It would but I now have a working tool so will stick with that. Good to know someone thought of another solution. Thanks for sharing.
any chance you could post the link to the pilot screw you ordered?
@@maxaduke www.amazon.com/NICECNC-Mixture-Adjuster-Carburetor-DRZ400SM/dp/B07LF69WVL/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=mikuni%2Bextended%2Bair%2Bscrew&qid=1622835597&s=automotive&sr=1-1&th=1 could not find the 6 buck one he referred to but this is for a Mikuni carb,, see a lot offered for Kehin carbs.. when bought carb kit wish was a suggested part...
Just an idea I had but if you remove the air box there are 2 screws that keep the carburetor in place. Take those out, loosen the hose clamp and rotate the carb a little clockwise. Gives you a better angle on that screw. Don't go too far or the fuel float may become an issue.
Tried that but my short chubby fingers make it hard to work. The screwdriver works so much better for me. Thanks for the tip, others may find it helpful.
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The carb studs won't let me do that but it's a good idea for other machines.
For Kawasaki same basic carburetor they an aftermarket whisperject below the housing with the turn tab on top
What a great video, was so frustrated earlier
Glad you enjoyed it!
A.
Great video. No bullshit. Direct and to the point. I'm about to remove and rebuild my carburetor after paying to have it done last year and the, "Professional" who rebuilt it probably didn't adjust it right. Real pain to start, especially in cold weather. doesn't want to idle right, and bogs under wide open throttle conditions. Also the Polaris "Enrichment tube" choke joke is meaningless under current conditions. All this spell
s improper mixture. Also stinks like it's running really rich under WOT conditions
Sorry to hear of your problems but you sound like a fella who does not give up and will get it fixed before the snows melt (meaning April for me). Thanks for watching and good luck.
They make a relocation type deal with a knob like the idle adjust on one end and the pilot on the other
Sure, now they make it but this little tool works just fine for me.
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That looks pretty handy! My old Honda cb400 had 2 carbs side by side and was a pain in the butt to get to.
Make the designers actually change and tune their designs before making customers have to do it. This was such a pain until I found this tool.
I'm ordering one! Thanks!
Great!
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I Appreciate that!! Man I knew there was an adjustment I couldn't find!!! Thank You God Bless!!☝✌💜💫
Glad I could help.
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@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch I opened the valve covers to try and adjust my valves cause its blowing excessive gas into the air filter. My feeler gauges are rusted with no numbers🤦💜✌☝
Its always about having the right tool.
For sure or make your own. Thanks for watching.
You wpuld be a great actor.you would make a good canadite for western movies.thanks for the carb info by the way.thats why im here.
Maybe one day! Thanks for watching Ninja.
A.
I ran into the exact same problem with a Suzuki quadmaster I just bought. Both the oem and aftermarket card have the same damn location for the pilot screw. Blows my mind that anyone would think that location would be easily to adjust
As is often the case, the engineers/designers never work on these machines. Alec
thank you for sharing! I have a 04' 400 that idles at about 1430 and it makes it almost impossible to shift. I'm trying to lower my idle before I start blaming the clutches. My problem is I know very little about carburetors.
so I pulled the "snorkel" off the clutch cover and unscrewed the idle adjust and it seams to idle pretty good at 1150. Did I screw up? It shifts much easier but still wants to move. A few days ago I pulled the cover off the clutches expecting to find a broken spring or worn belt and didn't see anything obvious. I pushed the drive clutch in and released several times and noticed that the weights would sometime hang up on the shaft? spindle? ... what ever it's called. Truth is I don't know what I'm doing so any advise would be appreciated. Any one thinking "Take it to Polaris" I just changed the oil and drained about 100 Oz out of it. The Polaris dealer was the last one to touch it. I'm a bit upset about their "I don't care" philosophy. I'm mad at me too for trusting that the job was done correctly. I never checked till today when the wrench icon showed up.
Good news is apparently many folks on UA-cam don't know either. Hope this tool helps with the tuning, it really helped me.
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What is the name of the tool for adjusting the pilot screw? Where can I buy one?
Search Google for 'pilot screw adjustment tool' and look at the images. There is only a few models but sold in lots of stores and online. Hope this helps.
My UA-cam search was about a different issue, but it's good to learn what people run into and how they resolve it because I'll eventually have a need to know. I zeroed in on the lack of info in the manual because that issue is way too familiar. Good, clear, complete manuals are as rare as toilet paper in a pandemic. Most of them drive me nuts because they make a lot of assumptions about what you might already know, and honestly they're thrown together at the last minute when new models are already on the floor and whatever is wrong in the manual never gets corrected. The publisher I loved was 'Robert Bentley.' They sold after market manuals for a limited number of makes and models, and the one I got for an 85 Jetta diesel decades ago was amazing. At 200K miles I cooked my diesel before I realized a radiator hose crapped out. Despite knowing almost nothing, the manual walked me through a rebuild that was still solid when I sold it another 80K later. With that manual, I could diagnose and repair literally anything that came up with that car, and not once did it ever see the inside of a shop. While I've finally gotten to the point where a shop repair won't ruin my finances, I enjoy sorting things out for myself and trust myself more than a shop that's been hit and miss for me. Our local bike and ATV dealer is a small rural shop where the less experienced seem to start, and once they've mastered their craft they move on to a bigger, busier dealer. Any given day it's a crap shoot as to whether something was done well, or just well enough to get you out the door for a return with the same issue a week later. 😖 So as for manuals, I'd almost shop for the best manual on the market and buy the make and model it's written for. 😄
I was great to read you experiences with manuals, which is similar to mine with several of my big ranch items. I think taking shop in high school showed me that things can be fixed, if you understand the principle first. Thanks for sharing and watching this guy struggle through todays silly problems.
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@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch Shop classes were my absolute favorite and a big help in everyday life. We didn't master anything, but were at least exposed to everything including the most basic engineering and trouble shooting concepts. While I hear some public schools are bringing back shop classes, there's a whole generation who got utterly shortchanged by schools. But as things like technology change, mysteries emerge and while the technical writing craft should be in top form by now - able to clear up mysteries for those of us with a manual in hand, they seem as bad as ever. Exasperating when you run into an issue like yours that would be a common puzzle to most, that isn't explained at all. Thanks to you, I now know there's a tool for that. And imagine all the revenue they lose when they could describe the tool and reference their own sales department in the appendix or a footnote.
I have a small farm with all the similar challenges. I have a love/hate relationship with those challenges so it's been fun to discover a channel where I can appreciate any challenge other than my own, or relate to an issue because I've already had to wrestle with the same thing. Cheers!
Alec, Tusk makes a threaded pilot screw extension that makes it to where it is easy to adjust.
Looks like they do. At the time of this video I had tried all my own tools and ideas then hit the internet till I found this. Works great on all my ATV's, snowmobiles. The really smart idea would be to position it were anyone with a slot screwdriver could get to it. Thanks for watching Jasper.
Hi Alec.Being in maintenance for 30+ years (man I'm old!?) I have seen so many machines that have inaccessible components or large bolts with no way to swing a wrench with a pipe on it. It does seem to be an issue that designers never got their hands dirty working on these machines. It can also be poor placement of a machine during installation ,I recall one large injection molding machine that was in a pit with 2" clearance to the hydraulic valve manifold. Valves and hoses were 90% of the issues. I have a tool box full of modified wrenches and hex keys and still many skinned knuckles to show for it. Ps I have never seen so many conversations from your old vrs new training video, a hot topic! take care Owen m
The assembly process for these and similar machines (and many other devices) is such that it goes together smoothly and quickly which is the goal. But, subsequent disassembly can be a real pain. I don't want to remove the engine to change the spark plug.
Alec
Very good narrative, you should an actor! By the way, better yet is to replace it with an aftermarket air fuel screw, it is longer than stock and has a larger finger dial, no-tool adjustment after mod.
That is a good idea if you have one. Ii have had up to 3 different models of ATV's so one tool for all is cheaper that buying 3 aftermarket screws. Thanks for that idea.
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Well explained..Is a nice tool..amazon got that for some around 35 dollars..
See how smart you are by watching. Lots more ideas coming.
I've been fighting with my machine for three weeks trying to get it right this is the tool I've been dreaming of! Where can I buy it can you please send a link I would like to buy one as soon as possible I'm so close but yet so far I just need that screwdriver thank you so much for this video!
Search Amazon for "pilot screw adjustment tool", there are lots to pick from (more than when I did this video). Good luck and hope it saves your hands like it did mine.
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I found that if you loosen the intake boot and manifold plenum hose clamps, you can turn the carb just enough to get to it
That's another solution.
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You made it! I was looking for one of the tools and the picture on temu is from your video.
It is? Guess the Chinese know a smart guy when the see one.
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Great video, working on a 2000 sportsman 500. It runs but concerned too rich, decel backfiring
Getting a pilot screw driver like this will save your hands and mind. Use mine every tune up to get the job done in minutes, not days.
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Similar issue with my 1999 Sportsman. Did this help?
Turn clockwise . In . For more or less fuel?
thenks for the info. Can't reach it either. I can't find that tool. what is it called? Where can you buy it?
Search on Amazon for "pilot adjusting tool" and many will show up. They are a great tool.
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Im having same problem I was even trying to make a tool but nothing working I was so frustrated. thanks I'll look for that tool
Several tools on Amazon to help save your knuckles. Take care.
I use a flat blade that's bent at a 90 degree angle to get to the pilot screw.
That works if you have space to rotate it 180 degrees to get another turn in. Mine has inches of turn space so this lets me adjust it with no handle movement. Hope yours works as well as this did. Thanks for watching.
I like your video and I am having the same problem with my 2001 Yamaha Kodiak, where did your get the tool for this. Would like to know thanks
Off of Amazon. Search for carb adjustment tool and several will show up. Not expensive but very useful and saves your hands. Take care Joseph.
The one I found is Sealey MS013 Pilot Screw for 58.00
That works. I found mine on Amazon. Good luck.
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Lol you are awesome.....I think I will subscribe....you may have more tips.....always looking for a better way
Awesome! Thank you! Lots of ideas on a wide range of home and ranch tips.
ok, I've looked everywhere and can't find that specefic screwdriver. where did you get it
Search Amazon for ‘pilot screwdriver’, lots of ones like this will show up.
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Keep up the good work👍
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Thanks for sharing your information.
Glad it was helpful!
Isn’t it frustrating when designers or engineers don’t think about who’s gonna have to work on this later God is so frustrating I know exactly how you feel nice video love the way it did it
Thanks Eric. My hands also thank me for burning or scrapping off my knuckles anymore.
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It's not just Polaris every single motorcycle ATV 3-wheeler dirt bike manufacturer has this setup and you must have one of these tools or one similar to properly adjust
Seems like a conspiracy that every maker wants to tick off customers the same way. That's the governments job!
So I replaced my carburetor on my Honda 300 it runs completely normal in neutral. I can rev it all the way out and it will not cut off and it will run all day. But as soon as I shift it into gear and give it about half throttle it tries to bog out, but it doesn’t fully, I’ve tried adjust the pilot screw, and throttle, but it still does it. Do you know why this might be?
Since it runs fine until it's under load, I'd guess it's starving for fuel.
Check the gas tank lever, fuel filter, tubes & bowl.
The easiest way is to turn off the fuel, pull the fuel line off of the carb & run it down to the ground. Open the tap. Fuel ought to pour out quite quickly. If it just dribbles, that's a sign of a clog somewhere.
Try pulling the choke on part way while driving. If it runs better, that confirms a lack of fuel.
If everything checks out OK, you may have to set the fuel level in the bowl - not hard. Just a pain the the butt.
Good luck.
Alec
@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch I’ll be sure to try that. Thanks for the help!
@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanchI’ve been having the same issue however mines a 4x4 wolverine, i was assuming the opposite so thank you so much for asking the question and thank you so much for the answer. I’m literally going out to my garage now to try it out.!!
I was fighting this same battle. Ordered one of those sccrewdrivers from Amazon and the problem was solved.
Such a simple solution for a hard to reach spot. The ATV makers should include them with the bike.
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I have a 2006 sportsman 500 ho and don't have an idle screw that hangs down to adjust idle.🤔
Has to be there somewhere. Check the manual or Google search for your specific model. Mine was easy to find, hard to adjust.
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Top Video mate
About to adjust my Polaris 500 H.O
Mid north coast Australia
Glad to help. A few more ATV videos coming. I seem to find problems with no help online so I make my own. One even has a silly blooper at the end if Kevin keeps it in.
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@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch
You were right about that idle screw
Can’t get to it so I’m going to pull out carb and put a rebuild kit through it
one of those tiny 90 degree bent flat head and phillips head screwdrivers you get with a stupid furniture kit might work. of course, i've always thrown them away because there not a real tool. wishing i had one now. brand new ebay carb but having minor issues.
Good luck getting it worded Justin. I hear your pain and wonder why it took me so long to find this tool.
Jeez I thought I was only one. Every single older 4 stroke carb has the pilot screw in the terrible spot. They make it so easy on 2 stroke carbs. Is the bit deep enough on that tool?
It works great on all my Polaris ATV's. It's deep and easily reaches the nut. My hands with I found this years earlier.
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Where did u get that tool at?
Amazon, search for Motion Pro 08-0119 Pilot Screw Adjusting Tool
Love the vid
Thank you.
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many a burnt hand with stubby screwdriver.. I have a flexible shaft driver for those old GM point sin collection that hasn't been used much, guess I could add one of these to that collection of barely used tools... yes, poor location indeed... just rebuilt carb for friend, never hear it run prior, has rough idle, shakes rig but smooths right out son as off idle.. was wondering if I had to play with this screw, set at the 1.5 turns old one was at... wish kits came with new drain screw.. that was pretty goobered up from prior draining and tightening to tight.. people who are forced to run ethanol need to use that screw any time machine sits, so they get chewed up, should have hex end or something other than what they have now......
did I miss you saying the name brand of tool or model number? guess can go search...
Glad you found a solution like i did. A Google search will find several models like mine. Take care of the hands Craig.
Thank you 🙏
You’re welcome 😊
Have a link to that device?
Just search Amazon for "pilot screwdriver". there are lots but pick one with a good price and delivery times.
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A god among men
If only my wife would read these.
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Amen!!!❤🎉
@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanchany single sons 😊
So where can I buy the tool??
Search Amazon, Harbour Freight or Home Depot. It is available in many stores Maple.
motion pro has them, i got mine from them because i got sick of taking the carb on and off 100 times.
Thank you so much!
You're welcome!
I rebuilt my artic cat 500 it's hell to pull start and the carb is out of ajust ment and even less room than this been racking my brain trying to figure this out.
Been there my friend. Hope this solution helps save you hands like it did mine.
So I replaced my carburetor and fuel pump but when I give it throttle it leaks gas from the overflow tube. Any idea on how to fix this?
Check the gasgates are not split or leaking is my first thought.
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Smack the carb body the float is stuck or the needle seat is not working right. Weird
same with a Yamaha
Almost like its planned to drive owners crazy.
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Engineering at its finest
Same with the mikuni on the griz
Yup.
Thank You so Much ..great info !!!
You are so welcome David.
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you said you fitted a non-polaris carb in there but I dont recall you telling what exactly it is ?
It was a good replacement, a lot cheaper. Found it online but don't remember where now, sorry.
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may i ask where you got that screwdriver?
Think I found it on Amazon but many tool stores should have an equivalent, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, etc. It is really handy to have around with small engines.
@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch thanks, i went out to my shop after i commented on your video and made one. lol. here is the link to that video of me making it
ua-cam.com/video/mUd4NgjVs0A/v-deo.html
When do you turn the screw with choke on or off
I do it with choke off to simulate normal running speed. Some other models may be different but my Polaris is in perfect tune now.
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@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch my atv 2005 honda trx 300ex keep shutting off when i put choke off..has high rev when warm up on choke. I cleaned the carb
piliot screw is also know as as air/fuel mixture screw
True that.
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Mine had a SINGLE D head. Which required purchasing a specific tool. Very annoying
That is something everyone hates, the dreaded "only from us" tool.
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I have this problem I just take the carb on and off to adjust
It may work for your bike but on this ATV, it has to be running to properly tune it. Thanks for watching.
@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch well my atv hasn’t run right the whole time I’ve had it but it’s because of many things on it don’t function right. It has all the issues
I've never adjusted mine because of this.... Now I know what to buy so I can adjust it, I just about sold it because I've been pissed off at it.
Me too. Such an important part hidden away. Darn engineers!
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How many turns? Or whats the adjustment for the screw?
Don't remember know. I have the manual and this a year or so back. Not much but I can tune while running which is great.
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I.5 turns out from seated is the starting point but don't turn it down tight or you can damage the little seals. From my CD rom manual for sportsman 600.
i know its rediculous. i just bought one of these machines. i loosen the boot clamps with the mount removed, turn the whole carb, make an adjustment, set it straight again and see what happens. it's a pain. thats polaris and mkuni's fault. not sure who is more to blame, probably mkuni.
They are such a pain in the a** to adjust without a working tool. Do love driving them but tuning and repairs, so many cut fingers.
Im just gonna buy a replacement screw with a bigger head on it. Little knob on the end of it makes it easy to turn
Thats a solution also.
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A flex shaft screwdriver works great ! That carb isn’t the OEM carb ? I had a 1999 Scrambler and that carb is a lot different then the one on mine ! That’s why I just bought a 2019 Honda Rancher 420 and sold my Polaris because of belt and carb issues !
It's the original carb. It's just mounted so close to the crankcase that you can't get a tool under the pilot screw.
I have several flexible shaft drivers but they don't bend sharply enough.
I guess that's why this tool was made. It wasn't marketed for Polaris so there must be others with the same problem.
I am very happy with Polaris overall. I raced Yamaha and rode many Hondas. Polaris is usually very easy to work on, parts are plentiful and they are reliable even when mistreated. Certainly, since Polaris was a leader in the development of the belt/variable pulley system, that's not been in issue for me. Thanks for watching.
Alec
Great video! No profanity or rap!
Thank you, i try.
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How about trying a 105 Degree 1/4 Inch Right Angle Drill Adapter Hex Shank Screwdriver Angled Bit Holder? I just ordered one to try it out and I can use it on other things. I also ordered a fuel adjustment screw made for my 2004 Polaris Sportsman 500HO that is extended so I don't have to use any tool, only my fingers to adjust. Amazon has it. Hope it all works right.
Good luck with that Manuel but for my ATV, this bent tool works great and for other hard to reach parts. I'm just glad I found it before I ripped the engine out!!
Man I have the grizzly 660 and I just burnt the shit outta my hand!
Where did you get that tool? Very nice video Sir
Mine was from Amazon but many places carry it. Search for 'pilot screw driver', lots of options and not expensive.
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Hey Alec I have the same problem! Can you provide me the name brand or model # that is? Thank you, sir.
You got it, yeah.
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So i have a 2004 polaris 700 twin bought new carb and wouldnt move even with gas so i took it to shop less then 3 days it wont go in high speed or up a high wont move they guy mixed old one with new one at that time. He said buy oem one but thats 600 . Qution is should i try another Chinese carb or sell the dang thing cause for 600 for carb getting close to another used atv.
Most ATV problem can be fixed by a good mechanic or lots of time on UA-cam!!!! Skip the cheap carb and try a better one, maybe OEM or just below that price. Join an ATV forum and get the input from many experts with the same model. I stuck with my Polaris models and the parts and knowledge are shared. Good luck.
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@@AlecPeirceAtTheRanch thx
Wont go in high speed? I bought an Amazon 35 dollar carb 4 years ago and its been great