[polarbear1960]

When my Bayou 250 sits for just an hour or so, it will not start. I put fresh 93 octane gas in it,new spark plug, and soaked the carb overnight in cleaner. I have to take out the air cleaner and hold my hand over the air inlet side of the carb. It will then start, but it will not idle. The brand new plug has black deposits on it already, after only one start. HELP!!!

 

[RCW]

Make sure your choke valve (Kaw calls it a starter plunger) is both closing and opening all the way. It is the cable controlled valve on top of the carb, next to the main throttle cable and slide. If it sticks shut the carb will run lean when cold and and be very hard to start. However, your problem sounds like a combination of a stuck choke valve and leaking float valve. The leaking float valve will allow too much fuel by raising the float level too high and making it run rich once it starts.

The best bet with carb problems is to take the carb off, disassemble it and clean all the jets and bleed holes. Then on one that is a few years old it is a good idea to replace the needle and seat for the float assembly if there is any evidence of wear on the tip of the needle at all.

There is also a valve on one of the lines from the bottom of the carb. Look for the one that has a valve in between the top and bottom tubes. Pull that valve and make sure it is clean and working. Automotive PVC valve cleaner will usually clean that valve good as new.

 

[polarbear1960]

Thanks RCW, I'll try that and let you know if that solves the problem.