Clean carbs - no melt-down

[JIGGS]

I would like to disassemble and clean the Mikuni carbs on a '96 Polaris 500. I have not done this before but I do have some pretty detailed instructions from the net. Am I foolish to tackle this or is it a procedure that I should be able to do with the help of written directions? The sled has been in storage for a while and I would rather be safe - than sorry.

[Scott K]

You should be able to handle it, I have taken these apart a few times with no problems. Just make sure when you are done that the carbs are synch'd good!

[ChemE]

Those carbs are old enough now to warrant freshening of the gaskets and O-rings too. Mikuni carb kits can be had pretty inexpensively from many sites around the 'net.

[IFallsRon]

If you're close to Litchfield, Steve at Litchfield Auto Body rebuilt a set of Mikunis for my old Honda.

[Surface Tension]

Follow your directions and it shouldn't be a problem.

Use a carb cleaner and soak them in it. Since you went through all that work to take them out put a new kit in them.

[BIG DS]

Quote:

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Just make sure when you are done that the carbs are synch'd good!

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Very important point!!! If the carbs are not in sync, the power difference between the cylinders will shove the crank to one side of the engine and tear up the bearings. What that means is, the throttle plates are adjusted so that there is the same amount of vacuum signal in both carbs, thus drawing the same amount of fuel and providing an almost identical powerstroke on both cylinders. To sync the carbs there is a spicific tool that measures the vacuum behind the throttle plate on each carb and if they are not the same you need to adjust the linkage screw between the carbs until they are. If you can get by without seperating the carbs, it would make your life a lot easier.

Very critical!!!