Whoa!! That's like 30 months between posts. Certainly do hope he got his problem solved long before this....... Nyuck nyuck

Regardless of how long it has been....

"If you don't have 'em, consider installing grose-jet float valves."

This is something you should NOT do. I just ordered OEM float valves from Bruce (just received them in the mail Bruce, thanks)...these are just fine to replace worn out or gummed up float valves. I was simply missing one small clip that holds the needle from falling out....since I had originals, I just got some OEM ones, along with 2 new lid gaskets for the float containers, for $39 shipped. Better than any other price, I would recommend Ztherapy and Bruce for these parts. I checked around, and for japanese hitachis, this is where I would get them. Everyone else, you have to purchase either at the dealer or in a rebuild kit.

Grose Jets have been found to be overall defective--they have a high rate of 'sticking' in the open or closed position. Most owners with these will carry a ball peen hammer with them to 'hammer' the float bowl to release the ball bearings on the grose jets. NOT recommended!

I had the carbs set too rich and the other problem was that the hose that goes from the float bowl to the jet/needle valve assembly on the bottom of the carb got trapped by the air box such that movement of the jet was resricted. As soon as I freed the hose the engine ran fine.

Miles,

i know that you seem to have cured your problem but i was curious to your explanation. So was the hose kinked from the float bowl to the carb nozzle? The reason I ask because my carb did the same thing and it was a hose that was kinking.

It was the hose that goes from the float bowl to the nozzle under the carb. Don't know how the hose got trapped between the carb and the back of the air cleaner box.