Lack of power and speed solved

[Jim Bob21]

So for the past 3 weeks I have diagnosed a lack of power on my 2010 VK. The machine would operate great and after driving for a while aNd usually after stopping and fishing...it would severely lack power when I started to go again. Low end and idle seemed fine with the exception of a very rare knock or miss on one cyl. Coils tested..comp tested plugs replaced.. filter cleaned etc etc etc. The machine still ran smooth but was lacking high end altogether trail operation and low speed was good. It would occasionally change quickly from good power to poor power. I convinced myself it was an electrical issue. Checked everything including swapped out ignitor with that on a friends identical sled. Checked TPS. Finally decided to pull the carbs and clean and check but I was still convinced it was electrical. Well... one pilot jet was essentially plugged. Cleaned all carbs and checked them over. Put back together and wow. I have had this sled for 6 years and now it's like a rocket. I have worked on recreational engines for decades but never seen a pilot jet affect top end and overall power in this way. I can only assume that with it plugged that cylinder never created enough vacuum to raise the carb slide and the other cylinders were carrying it. But engine was quite smooth. Plugs looked good. Also now the sled starts so much better in all conditions. The occasional knock was obviously due to an extremely lean condition in that one cylinder at idle ...Live and learn. That one wont bite me again. When in doubt...clean the carbs.