I'm working on a 94 gs that hasn't run in a while. i rebuilt the carbs and when i got it running the idle wont stay constant unless the choke is on. when the choke is off it idles up to about 3k rpm and down to almost nothing if it doesn't sputter out. i cleaned all the passages and set the float height, the only thing is i couldn't get the needle jet out so i don't know its condition, but it seemed to be clear. carbs got new diaphragms and all new o-rings and bowl gaskets. what am i not seeing here. oh and the mixture screw is set to 1.5 turns from seat.     help??

Air leak around the intake.

Turd Polisher?

Hmmm....

Michael

PS. Nothing to add to the thread. Just remarking on the nic.

+1 Check for air leaks. Small o-ring on top of diaphrams in place?

Turn idle mix out to 3 turns to start. 

You couldn't get the emulsion tubes out? Really should remove those and clean. Most ppl don't, and they almost always look like crap as a result. My 1990 tubes were completely blocked up. But this won't cause the idle problem... will instead cause lean conditions and dead spots at part throttle.

Noise guy is on the nose - or is that noise ... whatever. Clean like a maniac, adjust valves and see if it still does it.
If its still acting up, rejet it if its not been already.
Cool.
Buddha.

if your idle is turned up too high it'll give you strange behaviors as well, but it still sounds more like an air leak.

how do i check for an air leak?