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I just installed a new carb in my 230 using a 120 main, 45 pilot and clip on the 4th position down on the needle. Theair/fuel screw is 1-1/4 turns out.

It cranks up with half choke but doesn't want to stay running without using the throttle a little for a minute. I thought the gas was bad so i drained that and replaced the spark plug too.

I can get it to idle smooth now but every few seconds it will make a huffing/gasping noise coming from the airbox/carb. Sometimes it will kill it and sometimes it will keep running.

Any ideas? Any help is greatly appreciated.

PS - I am at sea level now but ride between 3000 - 4000 feet when we go.

Try opening the fuel screw to 2 turns out.

Most that do the jetting mods run the power up needle, a 132 and a 48 pilot.

The 45 pilot at 1.25 turns is closed too much.

What is the difference in the power up needle and the regular one?

Should I try the needle at a different position too?


Also I had read that the 120 main was a good size to go with for the altitudes i ride at.......

The power up needle is a bit richer than stock.

The 4th clip is good.

The 132 certainly isn't too big for 3000-4000'. That should be fine up that high. That main works well with the power up needle.

~ wrote:Try opening the fuel screw to 2 turns out.

The 45 pilot at 1.25 turns is closed too much.

So you thikn if I turn the screw out more it should fix the issue? What is the huffing/gasping noise i intermittently hear?

I tried turning the air/fuel screw out more and it still makes the gasping sound and chokes the engine out. I have to use the choke to get it to start and then have to play with it to get it to idle right after warm up.

I am very confused b/c I just put a new carb on it....... Please help!!

gride7 wrote:I tried turning the air/fuel screw out more and it still makes the gasping sound and chokes the engine out. I have to use the choke to get it to start and then have to play with it to get it to idle right after warm up.

I am very confused b/c I just put a new carb on it....... Please help!!

I recently picked up a (used) CRF230 for my wife, and it does the exact same thing. As far as I know, it is 100% stock. It is really tough to get warmed up - If I don't constantly play with the throttle while it is warming up, the RPM's will rise and fall and will give an occasional "cough" which will usually kill the motor. Once warmed up, it runs/starts great...

In summary, I have the same problem and am interested to know the cause/resolution...

I never really figured mine out either. It still does the same thing. So more help would be great!!

~ wrote:Try opening the fuel screw to 2 turns out.

Most that do the jetting mods run the power up needle, a 132 and a 48 pilot.

The 45 pilot at 1.25 turns is closed too much.

I checked the current fuel-screw setting last night - it was already at 2 turns out. I opened it to 2.5 turns (just to see what happened) and it made no difference. Even with the choke on it wouldn't idle on it's own. Again - once it warms up, it idles perfectly and starts without hesitation.

I would prefer not to spend the $ for a "power-up" kit as I am not interested in making more power (this is the wife's first bike). Instead, I would like for it to start and idle on it's own while warming up.

Should I try a larger pilot jet next? (I am assuming that the factory jet is still installed.)

Thanks!
- Chip

gride7 wrote:I never really figured mine out either. It still does the same thing. So more help would be great!!

I recently made the following mods to the wife's 230:

- Remove baffle (left screen in-place)
- Remove Snorkle (and gasket)
- Install 120 main jet
- Move clip to 4th position (stock '04 needle)
- Install 48 pilot jet

It will now idle on it's own without any issues (or gasping). The exhaust smells really rich, but I haven't adjusted the fuel screw yet (still at 2 turns out). I will do some fine-tuning of the screw before our next ride, but I'm just happy that it will start/idle on it's own.

- Chip