Auto Bystarter??

[BigPapa]

We have an 86 Spree at our cabin. It is kick start. For as long as I can remember, it's only started after a small squirt of starting fluid in the carb. You can try kick started it for ever but it won't start without a small shot of ether. Once it's running, it's start on it's own all day long. Unfortunately, we only get to the cabin every few weeks, then the process starts over again. Ether once, the it starts on it's own the rest of the day. I just acquired an 85 with electric start only. It acts the same way. It'll turn over but won't start without ether. After that, it starts on it's own. Question - could both need a new auto bystarter?

[Johnniespeed]

The by-starter is the choke, it provides a temporary rich mixture while starting and for a minute or two while engine is warming up. It sounds like your ether is now providing the temporary rich mixture when cold, just a caution about Diethyl ether or heptane, it contains no lubrication, so that makes it very risky to use on a two stroke, because the two stroke engine is lubricated by the fuel, so essentially you are starting an engine with no oil in it, when you use ether.
You would be safer to use a squirt bottle with two stroke mixed fuel for a starting fluid.
There could be other causes of your slow starting, such as a sticking auto petcock, or low compression. Inspection and testing are in order for your scoots.

[BigPapa]

Thanks - don't know why Honda calls it an auto bystarter when it's just the choke!!! Smart advice about a spray bottle with gas/oil mix. On the 86, it's all original. On the 85, I put on a new top end, fuel valve, ignition coil, and CDI so I'm guessing it has to be the choke in both. Looking on eBay, they are less than $10 so I think I'll try a new one.

[patthesoundguy]

The bystarter isn't technically a choke because it doesn't choke anything. Don't mind me I'm just being cheeky lol. I have always wondered where the term bystarter comes from.

[Johnniespeed]

Okay, I'll take a guess at the name. Auto because it is not manual, starter, because it is a starting circuit ( enrichment) BY , and this is a guess, because it might use bimetal to expand thermally.
It could use expanding wax, but I have not cut one open yet.
I do know that the plunger lifts up when cold, then heated to expand back down to the seat when hot. There is a stator coil under the flywheel that provides the positive current to the by-starter heater when engine is running and the frame mounted resistor provides the ground for the by-starter heater.

[mousewheels]

I have always wondered where the term bystarter comes from.

Possibly named because is a 'bypass' fuel/air path around the carb slide for starting and warm-up.

[patthesoundguy]

I have always wondered where the term bystarter comes from.

Possibly named because is a 'bypass' fuel/air path around the carb slide for starting and warm-up.

Makes sense to me

[BigPapa]

HELP!!! Replaced the bystarter and the darn thing still only starts with a spray of starting fluid. Once it gets started, it runs great But it only starts with the electric start if it hasn't been sitting for more than a few minutes. New tires, engine, ignition coil, CDI, plug and bystarter but this only starting with ether is really * me off! Any ideas would be appreciated.

[patthesoundguy]

Don't worry you can fix it you likley need to just pull the carb and clean the little hole in the float bowl that feeds the bystarter. Its a little brass orifice that is about .025"- .030" in diameter. When those get clogged no fuel can feed the the enrichment circuit for cold starting.

[BigPapa]

Do I need to pull the carb? Is the hole that's most likely plugged accessible if I pull the bystarter? What about a spray of carb cleaner when the bystarter is pulled? Thanks.

[patthesoundguy]

Carb has to come off. Its the only way to get the float bowl off.

[otto-man]

We have an 86 Spree at our cabin. It is kick start. For as long as I can remember, it's only started after a small squirt of starting fluid in the carb. You can try kick started it for ever but it won't start without a small shot of ether. Once it's running, it's start on it's own all day long. Unfortunately, we only get to the cabin every few weeks, then the process starts over again. Ether once, the it starts on it's own the rest of the day. I just acquired an 85 with electric start only. It acts the same way. It'll turn over but won't start without ether. After that, it starts on it's own. Question - could both need a new auto bystarter?

I don't know if this will work for you, but it's worth a try. When trying to start the 1986, kick it over 5 or 6 times, then wait 10 to 15 seconds for gas to fill the bowl, then try kicking it again. After they sit for awhile, the gas seems to evaporate from the carb. Same process for the 1985, but works best with fully charged battery. Good Luck.

[BigPapa]

The problems continue. Pulled the carb and clean it - made sure all ports/jets/holes were open. Used a little ether (I know - it's a no no) to get it started and it fired right up. Drove it around. Numerous times I turned it off and back on again while it was warm - no problem. Waited a few hours and the same problem - turns over but won't start on it's own. New battery, air filter, spark plugs, top end - rings/piston, bystarter,, CDI, ignition coil. I am completely out of ideas. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[patthesoundguy]

There are a few hings you need to do. First one you may have done. That small orifice in the the float bowl must be clear you need t see light through it with a flash light. Once that hole is confirmed to be 100% clear with carb cleaner and flashlight . There is a vacuum bystarter test in the manual. You can perform the test with an ear syringe from the drug store for about 2$. That confirms the bystarter is doing it's job. Then fire up the motor get it running again and follow the procedure for the idle air mixture and idle speed set up in the manual. If the idle air mixture is not set up it won't want to start cold. If the small hole in the float bowl was clogged and you clear it you may not need to do the vacuum test. Good luck.

[Johnniespeed]

There is a very small orifice/hole in the float bowl housing, it is less than 0.016" in size, it allows fuel to flow from the float bowl reservoir into the chamber for the bystarter, this is very difficult to see unless you are specifically looking for it, check it, double check it , triple check it, as it must be open for the carb to work right.
I maintain a fleet of 12 Sprees and have owned 8 Sprees, every one of those twenty, starts easily without any fuss. BUT everyone has a spotlessly clean carb, many when purchased had very clogged carbs.