I'm bummed...

lifecaptured · Post by **lifecaptured** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 1:13 am

I acquired an 86 Spree. It ran OK when I got it, and the other day going to work, I hit some railroad tracks and it died on me and costed to a stop. Then it wouldn't start again. So, while I had everything off, I cleaned the carb, put a new battery in it (I was kick starting it before). Now it won't start.

I'm not technically inclined...so, bear with me. I pulled the spark plug out and tried to start it to see if there was spark, and I didn't see any. Do I need to hold the spark plug on the frame or something to get spark? Even so...my spree isn't starting. When I try the electric start, it turns over, but doesn't fire. Same when I kick start it...it doesn't fire.

So, not sure what the problem is...or even where to start looking.

All help is appreciated...I'm ready to get this baby on the road!!!

Thanks in advance.

Josh

MySpree · Post by **MySpree** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:57 am

YES, to get spark you need to ground it, i usually ground it on the cylander head. but see if u have spark first, then check all your wireing to your engine, then make sure you have gas.

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 1:12 pm

check the petcock

lifecaptured · Post by **lifecaptured** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 5:41 pm

Ok...checked the spark plug and I do have spark. I also have a full tank of gas...

What's the petcock and where can I locate this? I scanned the manual but either overlooked it or couldn't find it. What is the petcock and what should I be checking?

Thank you again in advance for your help.

Best regards,
Josh

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 5:44 pm

its the metal thing on the bottom of the gas tank. To see if its working pull the fuel line off the carb and crank the engine over, gas should come pouring out of the hose.

lifecaptured · Post by **lifecaptured** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 8:04 pm

Ok...that's the top hose? If so, I pulled it off...cranked over the engine...no gas coming out.

Is the petcock fixable? Need to be cleaned? Or need to buy a new one?

lifecaptured · Post by **lifecaptured** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:12 pm

Update...still not firing.

I pulled the petcock off, cleaned it w/ carb cleaner, reinstalled it, put gas in the tank and sucked on the vacuum hose and fuel came through the other line.

Still won't start...

Now I'm totally at a loss...

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks guys!

Josh

lifecaptured · Post by **lifecaptured** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:16 pm

Another update...

Tried turning it over now that I had fuel coming out when sucking on it...but, with the fuel line off, and the vacuum hose hooked up, when i turned it over...no fuel came out. So, not sure if I'm getting vacuum on that hose...

I wish I was a mechanic...

Again, thanks in advance for any help.

Josh

darat · Post by **darat** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:05 pm

umm maybe a leak in the system.

MySpree · Post by **MySpree** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:29 pm

i think you blew a ring, you hit a bump, the engiens shifted, and your ring broke and scored your cylander.

lifecaptured · Post by **lifecaptured** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:41 pm

Update Update Update...

Put my hand over the intake tube and she fired up! Had to reinsert the throttle as it wasn't in correct, fire it up again, saw fuel going into the carb... But, I have no "umph!". She topped out at about 5-7mph. Got back, adjusted the air intake, and still didn't run good. Covered up the intake tube again, she fired...and then I reved her up...she got up to what I would consider full strength then puttered out and died. I was able to start her again by blocking the intake tube...but, would die shortly thereafter.

Any thoughts on what it could be? Seems to be something to do w/ the air intake and/or carb...

Thanks again...

By the time I get this thing running, I may be able to help someone else and pass on the love!

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:01 am

bad bystarter and/or dirty carb go to tech docs for more info

lifecaptured · Post by **lifecaptured** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:11 pm

Ok...my friend came over that knows more about engines then I do. He adjusted my idle and air and she runs like a gem.

We checked the bystarter and seems to be OK. It was registering at 4OHMs (?).

Only problem is...that's without the cover to the airbox. With the cover on...she's got no power. Which, he said is confusing to him, he said once I get the filter, put that in, then the lid on the airbox, with there being no other holes in the airbox, it's going to restrict the carb in getting air. So, I'm assuming this Spree should be able to run with the filter in, airbox cover on, etc...but, right now, with just the lid on, she's got no power.

Any thoughts??

chevyguyjay · Post by **chevyguyjay** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 5:15 pm

find out what size jet u have in the carb. if its a 65, go to a 68. dam 2-cycles like it when u scratch your head and look confused.

i tried this with one my older sprees and it worked fine. also, try adjusting the needle setting on your throttle cable. its all about trial and error.

lifecaptured · Post by **lifecaptured** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 5:55 pm

Thanks Chevyguy! I'll take a look and see what size jet I have.

I'm still confused though on how that will get air with the filter in and the airbox cover on...seems like it won't get any air at all??

Thanks,
Josh