Plug fouling - '04 LT-V700F

[WileyP]

Howdy! I'm (obviously!) an FNG (new guy) around here. Let me say first that I have read through many of the posts here and thoroughly enjoyed all the great comments and helpful hints I have seen. What a great forum!

I hate to start out with a question....but...I've had an '04 Twin Peaks since it was new and have had problems with spark plug fouling ever since day one. The first set of plugs lasted about 70 hours before they needed to be cleaned because I couldn't even get it to start. Each successive set of cleaned plugs has run fewer and fewer hours between cleaning, and the last set lasted only about 3 hours! It is obviously fuel fouling caused by an over-rich mixture. Now, I do live on a small ranch at the 8,000 foot level in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico and I use the quad for work around the place (including snow plowing). Being a pilot, I am aware that increased altitude equals increased richness of mixture.

I have heard that there is a high altitude kit of some sort that should be of help. There are three questions I have about this kit:

(1) I bought the quad in Santa Fe, so I would assume (right!!) that the kit was installed by the dealer. However, I reluctantly have to state that I am not at all impressed by the service I received from the dealer during the first year of ownership, and will not take it back to them. Is there some way I can identify whether or not the kit was installed on the quad?

(2) Will/Should this kit adjust the mixture adequately to significantly reduce the fouling when the quad is operated exclusively at such a high altitude?

(3) I have a moderate background in auto mechanics, albeit many years ago. I have overhauled engines and carbutetors (even the old Quadra-Jets!) in the past and have had reasonable success. If the kit is not installed, and I can find a place to buy one, would it be difficult to install myself or should I really have an expert in these machines do the job?