LQuig
New member
Hi folks,
I am new to this forum thingy - hope someone out there can help me. I am having a problem with my '08 VK540 that has me stymied. The problem started the year-before-last (the sled never left my trailer last year). In late winter of 2013 after a long run in the hills, the engine started shutting off and wouldn't keep running without choke. I put the sled away and forgot about it. Took it off the trailer the other day and started it up and it's doing the same thing.
After I greased up the suspension and checked the plugs, oil and stuff, I took off the drive belt, squirted some gas in the carb and it started right up - yesss!! It runs about a minute and shuts off! I thought - plugged filter, gas line or crapped out fuel pump. Disassembled the pump - all ok. Took the fuel line off the fuel pump and routed it to a fuel tank above the engine (also plugged the vacuum line from the engine to the pump so it wouldn't spray gas all over the place). Put clean gas in the elevated tank - started it up and it does the same thing - runs about a minute or less, then shuts off. The only way to keep it running is to choke it. It'll run all day with the choke on it.
So now I think - sticking float or needle valve at the fuel inlet to the carb. Paid $50 for a new needle and seat - same thing! Will not keep running without choke. If I let it shut off without choking it, it WILL NOT start without choke - remove the choke, it runs about a minute and shuts off.
Took the carb off AGAIN - checked the float height - OK; float is working good - not getting stuck that I can see; sprayed it all through with carb cleaner - it's squeaky clean inside!
What am I missing???
I am new to this forum thingy - hope someone out there can help me. I am having a problem with my '08 VK540 that has me stymied. The problem started the year-before-last (the sled never left my trailer last year). In late winter of 2013 after a long run in the hills, the engine started shutting off and wouldn't keep running without choke. I put the sled away and forgot about it. Took it off the trailer the other day and started it up and it's doing the same thing.
After I greased up the suspension and checked the plugs, oil and stuff, I took off the drive belt, squirted some gas in the carb and it started right up - yesss!! It runs about a minute and shuts off! I thought - plugged filter, gas line or crapped out fuel pump. Disassembled the pump - all ok. Took the fuel line off the fuel pump and routed it to a fuel tank above the engine (also plugged the vacuum line from the engine to the pump so it wouldn't spray gas all over the place). Put clean gas in the elevated tank - started it up and it does the same thing - runs about a minute or less, then shuts off. The only way to keep it running is to choke it. It'll run all day with the choke on it.
So now I think - sticking float or needle valve at the fuel inlet to the carb. Paid $50 for a new needle and seat - same thing! Will not keep running without choke. If I let it shut off without choking it, it WILL NOT start without choke - remove the choke, it runs about a minute and shuts off.
Took the carb off AGAIN - checked the float height - OK; float is working good - not getting stuck that I can see; sprayed it all through with carb cleaner - it's squeaky clean inside!
What am I missing???
nfldjosh
New member
Adjust the choke lever? 
J/K, I dunno...good luck with it.
J/K, I dunno...good luck with it.
pete72
New member
really sounds like you need to pull the carbs back off and completely clean and blow out all passages and jets. check your float level too. have you checked your fuel pump and fuel and pulse lines? clogged fuel filter. only way to know is to go thru everything. sorry no easy fix
LQuig
New member
Yes all that checks out. I also eliminated the fuel tank, pump and lines by connecting a temporary fuel tank above the engine directly to the carb. Next think I'm gonna try is to spray something on the carb boots and crank seals. Worth a try I figure!
LQuig
New member
Nice to see another Newf on here! How's ya gittin' on?
pete72
New member
i'd pull the pilot jets out and clean them if you haven't. there small jets 1 in each so you need a very small screwdriver to get them out. they are recessed in a tube inside the fuel bowl. i almost guarantee this is your problem