I have a 1994 XLT 580. I haven't had it running in three years. The last time I rode it I was nearly home and it just lost power and stalled. I got it running and nursed it back. I never did get it running again. This week I took apart the carbs and cleaned them, it will run now but not idle, I need to stay on the throttle to keep it running and it backfires. If I get on it I can get it to go and it quits backfireing but I cant get it to go as fast as it should. I think when it died on me three yeas ago I tried adjusting the carbs to get it running again but I cant remember. If anyone has any suggestions on what I should try now or what caused it I would appreciate any help. Does anyone know the correct carb settings for it? I have drained the gas, put in fresh, put in new plugs and checked the spark, its fine.

Thank you for any help.

I have a 1994 XLT 580. I haven't had it running in three years. The last time I rode it I was nearly home and it just lost power and stalled. I got it running and nursed it back. I never did get it running again. This week I took apart the carbs and cleaned them, it will run now but not idle, I need to stay on the throttle to keep it running and it backfires. If I get on it I can get it to go and it quits backfireing but I cant get it to go as fast as it should. I think when it died on me three yeas ago I tried adjusting the carbs to get it running again but I cant remember. If anyone has any suggestions on what I should try now or what caused it I would appreciate any help. Does anyone know the correct carb settings for it? I have drained the gas, put in fresh, put in new plugs and checked the spark, its fine.

Thank you for any help.[/b]

You are on the right path, I also have 2 94 XLT's and mine have a sticker under the hood which tells the main jet size, pilot jet size and the air screw setting. The jet size is adjusted for altitued and for temp. Mine says the air screw should be 1 turn. The idle problem could be the air screw and also the idle setting. I have been messing with mine for a month now and am just getting it all figured out. You need to make sure your carbs are sinked together, this applies to the idle adjustment, air screw and pull of the cable. You can test the idle by pulling a spark plug wire and if the R's drop a lot, that means your engine is really running on that carb, and you need to screw in the big idle screw on the other ones and keep rechecking for the drop in the R's to be about the same on each cylinder, and at the same time keeping the rpms at about 2000. This will do a basic set of the idle and after that you will need to read the spark plugs to see which is running lean or rich. I started out with the factory setting of 1 turn on the air screw and now I am watching to see which plug is lean or rich. Also check to make sure your cable is pulling all 3 carbs open at exactly the same time. I have also heard that you need to make sure the choke cable when off has about 1/8 inch of slack befor it starts to pull the plunger up. again if they are not the same this will cause problems. Clean carbs are really a big deal on these things. Good Luck!
Sherman

I have a 1994 XLT 580. I haven't had it running in three years. The last time I rode it I was nearly home and it just lost power and stalled. I got it running and nursed it back. I never did get it running again. This week I took apart the carbs and cleaned them, it will run now but not idle, I need to stay on the throttle to keep it running and it backfires. If I get on it I can get it to go and it quits backfireing but I cant get it to go as fast as it should. I think when it died on me three yeas ago I tried adjusting the carbs to get it running again but I cant remember. If anyone has any suggestions on what I should try now or what caused it I would appreciate any help. Does anyone know the correct carb settings for it? I have drained the gas, put in fresh, put in new plugs and checked the spark, its fine.

Thank you for any help.

As the other member said, you are on the right track with the carbs. Many different issues can cause this problem but a sudden carb adjustment change probubly wasn't what happened. A fine pariacle of dirt can cause a float needle to not seat properlyand cause that carb to flood. Or the needle seat could have deteriated and allow fuel to pass all the time. A flooding engine will not idle. Staying on it all the time gives it enough air and uses up the continually flowing gas. Back firing is comon with a flooded engine. I hope this helps. Remember, other serious internal problems could be your situation but I doubt it. Check the compression on all three cylinders. Good luck!