Adjusting idle on Vanguard motor

[bcsteve]

Stupid question, where is the adjustment for the idle on the 23hp Vanguard in my Frontier? Once the motor run a little hot I have a hard time putting it in reverse, it grinds. If it sits idling for 4-5 minutes then there's no problem. I'm assuming it might be idling a little to fast. If that doesn't solve it I'll bring it to the dealer for some adjustments.

Thanks

[Mike]

Steve, I scratched my head over that for a minute too. With the body on my Max, it was hard to find but on mine it is under the air cleaner right where the arrow is. You kinda have to push the rubber back a little to find it.

Also, if your engine is idling fine but you are still grinding bad, you may need to adjust the distance between your engine and trans a little until it stops engaging.

But it really sounds like the idle is your problem. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[MaxRules]

Your Frontier idle adjustment is similar to the picture Mike posted. However, on the 23hp engine, the cover is solid plastic instead of the previous style of slotted metal plate. Standing at the front of your Frontier, there is a plastic cover just below the air box on the left. Carefully remove the two small screws holding it on, being very careful not to drop them as you'll never see them again. Use a mirror to see the idle adjustment screw on the carb. There is also a 1/4 turn black screw that sometimes does wonders for carb adjustment. One of those two will probably fix you right up. If not, your belt could be to tight and that is adjusted by the trans clutch.

[bcsteve]

Thanks Mike and Brandon,

So I removed the plastic cover plate, used my wifes mirror on her makeup compact and managed to get the screwdriver in there after doing a bunch of backward maneuvres because everything is backward in the mirror. Turn the screw a bit and the engire idles faster, good I got the right screw, turn a bit in the other direction, nothing, a little more, still nothing, a little more, *ping* the screw and spring goes flying. I look around in the tub, no, they stayed somewhere in the engine. I can hear them rattle in the shroud when I shake it. Hopefuly they'll find there way out after a ride this week end or the dealer can find it when it goes it for it's first service. But it didn't doo anything for my idle.

Brandon, the black 1/4 turn screw you're talking about, is it a plastic screw with kind of a lever on it that runs horizontaly on top of the carb? I saw those and didn't know what it was.

[yellowargo]

BC Steve,
Did you get your idle issue fixed because I have the exact same issue. After hearing about your frustration I thought I would wait for your soloution and see if it is something I can do myself or is it a trip to the dealer for a little tweek. This is driving me nuts and nothing grinds my gears more than that grinding sound or simply not being able to get it in gear.

looking forward to hearing from you.

Kevin

[liflod]

I believe the idle screw everybody is talking about is for the minimum un-governed idle. Once the screw is backed out so far, the governor is controlling the idle. You will need to follow the manual for the engine to get is set properly. On my 18 Vanguard, there is a tab that you need to bend to set the governed idle and also another tab to bend once the idle is set.

[gearhead]

going back to route6x6

[Rock Doctor]

This is not a "fix", just a thought.

There are times when I like to have my idle a little high, like in the Winter when it's -30 deg outside. This does not mean you have to grind gears to shift the trans.......
When your engine is idling to high, just pull your choke for a second, this will cause the engine to "idle down". Shift to the gear you want, and carry on.


RD

[Roger S]

You can also turn the key off 'till it almost dies, then shift.

My favorite new thing is powdered graphite.. the little tubes that you squeeze and spray. Originally used it to lube the clutch bushings, but soon found out it lets the belt slip on the engine clutch shaft when idling. I sprayed mine today while idling in nuetral, and the belt and trans clutch rolled to a stop. Makes the cvt and belt work really smooth. Doesn't last long.. I carry it under the seat.

But if it's idling fast enough that the engine clutch is gripping the belt, thats a too fast of an idle problem.

[liflod]

Here is the governed idle adjustment and the other tab that needs set for a Vangaurd.

[yellowargo]

I tried the low to reverse trick(several times) with no luck and putting on the choke seems to have no effect on the idle. But thanks alot for the suggestions, keep them coming.

I still cannot find the idle adjustment. I am going to visit the local Briggs dealer and see what he suggests. Good point on the cold weather... it may be best to leave it for now it was abit COOL riding today.

Thanks again everybody!

[yellowargo]

I got it fixed! I took the air filter assembly off and the idle screw was alot easier to get at. I turned it almost a fill turn counter clockwise and feathered the throttle a couple of times and sure enough low idle. It was a little too low initially but I used the voltage meter on the machine to tweek it in. Once the voltage levelled off at 14v it was tunned in perfect. No more grinding and I can change gears with out cursing. It has been cold hear the last week and I have no stalling issues...

Thanks everyone for your input! Later.

[Roger S]

Thanks Mike and Brandon,

Brandon, the black 1/4 turn screw you're talking about, is it a plastic screw with kind of a lever on it that runs horizontaly on top of the carb? I saw those and didn't know what it was.

Those are idle mixture screws with the plastic limiter caps pushed over the screws. One for each cylinder.

[katoom08]

Great topic! I am having trouble with my Vanguard also. Belt continues to turn while idling also, the max continues to go forward when the sticks are released. The governed idle screw does no good because it does not even touch the tang. The other adjustment screw with the black plastic limiter cap does no good either. I did notice that the motor clutch is squeezing the belt at idle however,when I shut it off it opens about 1/4 inch. Is this a governed idle problem that needs to be adjusted by bending the tangs as in the posted pictures or is this a clutch problem? Any thoughts?

[katoom08]

Well, I adjusted the governed idle tang as much as possible and it did slow down some however, not enough to stop the belt from spinning. By the time the idle gets slow enough to get the engine clutch to open the engine will not stay running. The belt deflection seems to be too much but I am thinking that if I were to tighten it up the problem would be worse. Am I thinking about this wrong? Another question is what will make the engine clutch open at a higher idle speed?