Dumb question about the pilot screw setting on ATC 185s.

[StangLX302]

My trike is idling VERY rich. I can see black smoke puffing out at idle. If you let it idle too long it stalls and the plug is all black. Once you take it for a ride, it cleans right out and runs good, until you let it idle again.

My question is: Do you turn the pilot screw IN or OUT to make it leaner?

P.S. Right now it's at the factory setting of 2 turns out from bottom. Is something else wrong if it's running rich at this setting?

[86250RZ]

in, try a 1/4 turn at a time.

[StangLX302]

Thank you.

[TimSr]

The air screw is to be adjusted for best throttle response off of idle, and not based on plug readings. the pilot jet controls the idle mixture but they all tend to run rich at idle, so unless its become a real problem, id leave it alone.

[StangLX302]

So, maybe I should just kick the idle speed up a hair to stop the stalling? Because it seems fine if I just hold the throttle open a hair.

Sorry for all the dumb questions guys. This is my first three wheeler (first any small engine toy really) and I've only had it running a short time.

[StangLX302]

<-----------BTW, I just took this pic about 45 minutes ago and it's running awesome. (besides the little idle problem).

[packhamstruck]

My old 185 was the same way, just gave up on the idle and would shut it off all the time, never went through a plug after that, just had to start it alot