Fixing up my 1987 Honda Spree

[BMAN32]

Well i replaced the piston, rings, gaskets, and cleaned the carb twice and finally got it running. Once it started up the idle was way to high so I tweaked the carb screws and got it idling smoothly. This changed once I got it on the road and tried to accelerate. IT would almost sputter and pop as I would go along. I also noticed that it was running EXTREMELY hot. What could be the cause of this?

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

First, what exactly is "EXTREMELY" hot? Is it that you couldn't grip the exhaust header, or did the shroud plastics melt and saddle catch on fire?

Assuming it is running too hot, that would be one possible explanation for the popping. Bits of your new piston are breaking off, acting like Glow-Plugs and causing Pre-Ignition. Hope it's not that.

Any new top end assembly needs a compression check before ignition. I'm just surmising that you "bolted on" a "bolt-on" kit without paying much attention to the compatibility of your new parts and jes' let 'er rip? Hope I'm wrong, but that's what it sounds like.

Compression Testers are available and affordable. Learn to use one. (Sheesh, I'm starting to sound like The Bear!)

Good luck!

[BMAN32]

Here's what I did:
I reassembled the new piston and piston rings while lubing them up with oil. I assembled the whole top end back together without putting on the exhaust. I then slowly kicked it to get in a few rotations. I then tried to start it (although I didn't do a compression test, I'll pick up one of those next time I work on it) and after 3-4 kicks it started right up with a high idle. So i adjusted the screws for a better idle and took it down the road and back, less than 200 yds. I turned it off and immediately smelled something was wrong and looked down to see the top end slightly smoking. Hope this helps?

Greetings:

First, what exactly is "EXTREMELY" hot? Is it that you couldn't grip the exhaust header, or did the shroud plastics melt and saddle catch on fire?

Assuming it is running too hot, that would be one possible explanation for the popping. Bits of your new piston are breaking off, acting like Glow-Plugs and causing Pre-Ignition. Hope it's not that.

Any new top end assembly needs a compression check before ignition. I'm just surmising that you "bolted on" a "bolt-on" kit without paying much attention to the compatibility of your new parts and jes' let 'er rip? Hope I'm wrong, but that's what it sounds like.

Compression Testers are available and affordable. Learn to use one. (Sheesh, I'm starting to sound like The Bear!)

Good luck!

[speedy25]

SOmething thats run for the first time after disassembly will smoke. Even oils from your hands will be on the cylinder and cause that.

Two other things bother me-

You didnt say if you put the exhaust back on

I didnt see any mention of you draining out the 10w30 you put in long ago.

-SP

[BMAN32]

Alright I assumed that was part of it, does that explain it heating up as well? I did put the exhaust back on and I did drain that oil out of the tank and lines a long time ago, do you think there is still some in there?

SOmething thats run for the first time after disassembly will smoke. Even oils from your hands will be on the cylinder and cause that.

Two other things bother me-

You didnt say if you put the exhaust back on

I didnt see any mention of you draining out the 10w30 you put in long ago.

-SP

[wood10214]

Well i replaced the piston, rings, gaskets, and cleaned the carb twice and finally got it running. Once it started up the idle was way to high so I tweaked the carb screws and got it idling smoothly. This changed once I got it on the road and tried to accelerate. IT would almost sputter and pop as I would go along. I also noticed that it was running EXTREMELY hot. What could be the cause of this?

did the cooling shroud plastics in place?

[dun rite]

if all cooling shrouds and exhaust are correct and in place they still run 280-320 degrees on the cyl. head. the only way to know for sure is a temp gauge.