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Carburetor Jetting

SAFETY FIRST: Protective gloves and eyewear are recommended at this point.

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This illustration shows the effects of the various carburetor jet systems in relation to the throttle valve opening. The thickness of the arrows shows when the different jets come into play.

Choke

The carburetor is provided with a starting device. To get a richer air/fuel mixture to be sucked into the engine, press the choke button down and close the throttle.

NOTE! Do not use the choke when the engine is warm

Carburetor adjustment

Needle (or Jet Needle)

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It is important to avoid confusion when confronted with the terms “jet needle” and “needle jet.” The jet needle is the actual needle that descends into the carburetor from the carburetor slide. The needle jet is the orifice the needle fits into.

The needle jet and the needle serve to control a proper air-fuel mixture ratio during the so-called medium throttle valve opening (between 1/4 and 3/4 opening). The needles usually have 3 to 5 clip settings, the uppermost giving the leanest and the lowest the richest mixture. As you see on fig. the needle setting is mostly noticeable at 50% throttle opening.

Needle Jet

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By changing the needle jet you can get a richer or leaner air-fuel mixture. A small needle jet will give you a leaner mixture and a bigger needle jet gives you a richer air-fuel mixture.

As you can see, the changing of the needle jet is mostly noticeable at 25% throttle valve opening

Main jet

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The figure shows the throttle valve opening in relation to fuel flow, with different kinds of main jets. The main jet has the most effect within the 50-100% throttle opening range.

Altitude and a temperature

High temperature, high elevation above sea level and lower barometric pressure generally require leaner settings. However, remember to restore the richer setting when conditions are normal again. If settings are too lean, acceleration and top speed will be less and there will be risk of engine damage.

HUSKY85_86

The figure shows the amount of air decreases in proportion to a rise in elevation. Reduction in the amount of air sucked into the cylinder changes the air-fuel mixture ratio, with the result that the power output drops markedly.

Engine Troubleshooting

When the carburetor setting is not correct for the engine, various irregularities are noticed. These can be traced to two main reasons.

(1) When the air-fuel mixture is too rich:

(a) The engine noise is dull and intermittent.

(b) The condition grows worse, when the starter is opened.

(c) The condition grows worse, when the engine gets hot.

(d) Removal of the air cleaner will improve the condition somewhat.

(e) Exhaust gases are heavy.

(f) Spark plug is fouled.

(2) When the air-fuel mixture is too lean:

(a) The engine gets overheated.

(b) The condition improves when the starter is opened.

(c) Acceleration is poor.

(d) Spark plug burns.

(e) The revolution of the engine fluctuates and lack of power is noticeable.

Plug Reading

The color of the spark plug’s porcelain tip can indicate how the mixture is burning. A white colored plug shows a lean mixture, where a dark plug shows a rich mixture. A light brown color is optimal. Inspect the plug for running condition after jetting changes and evaluating the engine performance by ear and feel.

See the Spark Plug Chart for additional information on spark plug condition troubleshooting.

Example Settings

If significant jetting changes are required check for problems like air leaks, dirty air filter, carburetor float level, dirty carburetor, spark plug condition, old fuel, and weak compression. Performance modifications may also require more jetting changes than a stock unit.

2006 CRF250R Jetting Chart (Stock Settings)
Temperature -21~0 -1~20 19~40 39~60 59~80 79~100 99~120
Altitude -30~ -17 -18~ -6 -7~5 4~16 15~27 26~38 37~49
10,000 ft
(3,050 m)
~
7,500 ft
(2,300 m)
PS: 2 1/4 2 1/4 2 2 2 1 3/4 1 3/4
SJ: 42 42 42 42 42 42 42
JN CLIP: 3rd 3rd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd
JN: NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT
MJ: 175 172 172 170 170 168 168
7,499 ft
(2,299 m)
~
5,000 ft
(1,500 m)
PS: 2 1/4 2 1/4 2 1/4 2 2 2 1 3/4
SJ: 42 42 42 42 42 42 42
JN CLIP: 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd
JN: NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT
MJ: 178 175 172 172 170 170 168
4,999 ft
(1,499 m)
~
2,500 ft
(750 m)
PS: 2 1/2 2 1/4 2 1/4 2 1/4 2 2 2
SJ: 45 42 42 42 42 42 42
JN CLIP: 4th 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 2nd 2nd
JN: NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT
MJ: 178 178 175 172 172 170 170
2,499 ft
(749 m)
~
1,000 ft
(300 m)
PS: 2 1/2 2 1/2 2 1/4 2 1/4 2 1/4 2 2
SJ: 45 45 42 42 42 42 42
JN CLIP: 4th 4th 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 2nd
JN: NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT
MJ: 180 178 178 175 172 172 170
999 ft
(299 m)
~
0 m
Sea level
PS: 2 1/2 2 1/2 2 1/2 2 1/4 2 1/4 2 1/4 2
SJ: 45 45 45 42 42 42 42
JN CLIP: 4th 4th 4th 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd
JN: NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT NKBT
MJ: 180 180 178 178 175 172 172

PS: Pilot Screw opening from fully seated

SJ: Slow Jet

JN: Jet Needle

JN CLIP: Needle Clip position

MJ: Main Jet

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