Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

I have a question that I hope someone can answer cause its got me going crazy.

Heres what I got, my buddy owns a 1985 Honda Spree (NQ50). The problem we are having is randomly when hes driving (anywhere between 5-120 minutes) the engine will start to bog down bringing the Spree from 30 MPH all the way down to around 15 MPH where the engine dies all together then. He can either be going full throttle or letting off the gas and it will happen, its like it doesn't matter what he has the throttle held it.

Once it dies out and we pull over, I shoot Starting Fluid in it, the Spree will start up right away and run just fine for another 5-120 minutes where it will again start bogging down and die out...

This all sounded like a fuel delivery problem to me, so I checked the vacuum fuel pump for leaks, we replaced the fuel line, we cleaned the carb out, we installed a see through fuel filter to make sure it has constant fuel. Nothing is bad to my knowledge.

I also want to add that, one time when his Spree was bogging I got behind him on my Spree and started to push him with my foot to keep him above 15 MPH, and see if eventually it would start running right again, but it keeps bogging until it dies completely and then restarts with the starting fluid. And after the starting fluid it will run perfectly fine for another 5-120 minutes.

Can someone please maybe give me an idea of what to look for to start fixing this problem?

If you need pictures or more info just ask and I will gladly post them ASAP.

Thanks for reading my novel.

Greetings:

It doesn't sound like a fuel delivery problem to me at all.

If the plug doesn't betray an extremely lean condition (It would be white or pockmarked with bits of shrapnel...) then it sounds like the type of failure associated with electrical parts failing. They run OK cold, but as the heat from the engine sinks in to some solid-state components, they stop functioning. Mousewheels is our Electronic Dude to e'splain why.

Engine control modules, coils, crank sensors can all do this before they fail completely. One way to test is with a hair dryer or heat gun. Fire up cold - presuming you still can - and aim the gun at the suspect. If it stops running, we have our culprit.

Thank you very very very much for the help Wheelman.

Now this all brings up a new question for me... Sorry

Where do I find some of these electronic parts like the engine control module, coil, and crank sensor?

Thanks in advance!

Greetings:

Honda dealers can still get a lot of this stuff. Coils are coils. Some have posted that the ECMs - both stock and aftermarket - are interchangeable with other models. Many say to avoid the aftermarket stuff.

Go to Mr.Cycles.com and follow the Honda path to your 1985 NQ50. Write down the part numbers/prices and call Honda Parts Department nearest you. Chances are they can get 'em, and no shipping charges.

Thanks Wheelman!

Once I find out what the problem is I can post here what I did, maybe it could help someone in the future?

Thanks again Wheelman

I heard a rumor that using starter fluid on a 2 stroke is risky. I guess it is because your running without any lube for a few seconds. That's not long, but at 6,000 RPM that's a 100 cycles a second.

Any truth to this?

jguy wrote:I heard a rumor that using starter fluid on a 2 stroke is risky. I guess it is because your running without any lube for a few seconds. That's not long, but at 6,000 RPM that's a 100 cycles a second.

Any truth to this?

well ya but there is a little lube in the fuel that is still in the engine. and you are not running directly on starting fluid for any length of time. i dont think it is harming anything

I do not recommend ether in a 2 stroke for a few reasons.
1. An old man who has been playing with small engines longer than many of us have lived told me if it backfires the reeds will blow out of the cage.
2. If it wont run on premix in a squirt bottle, you probably shouldn't be running it.
3. Ether is expensive.

Kenny_McCormic wrote:I do not recommend ether in a 2 stroke for a few reasons.
1. An old man who has been playing with small engines longer than many of us have lived told me if it backfires the reeds will blow out of the cage.
2. If it wont run on premix in a squirt bottle, you probably shouldn't be running it.
3. Ether is expensive.

1. Don't argue with an ole sage. I appreciate a youngster tipping his hat to an old geezer.
2. Fully agree. These engines were designed for gasoline, not ether. It's just that most of us don't have a squirt bottle handy. Maybe we should be better prepared.
3. Money is not an issue to keep my scoots going. Biker Babe sees to that. She's gungho on scoots.