Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

My 85 is hard starting unless I hold my entire hand over the intake side of the carb. I thought it was a bystarter not choking but that wasn't it. I noticed that fuel shoots out of intake when it turns over. Now I'm thinking needle or float. Any advice?

IMO this sounds like a case of, are you ready for this because I don't say it often? ...................................."bad reeds". Fuel should not shoot out of the carb even if the float bowl is over flowing, run out or drip out, yes, but coming out with force says reeds to me. The hard starting and spewing fuel really scream reeds.

Ooh. I never thought of that. I'll pull them and see how it looks. Thanks!

Bear. I pulled the reed block and they look great. Nice and flush to the block. I sucked on the intake and they had a strong seal and released when I exhaled. Any more ideas?

You open that carb up yet?

If it isn't reeds then it is either fuel or carb or both.

I once changed the reeds on one of my race motor to a new style. Fueled up and went out to test and it ran like crap. I checked everything. Finally reinstalled the old ones. And it still ran like crap. checked the fuel and there was enough water in it that I was amazed it ran at all and this was after it fill my water/fuel separator canister.

I have the carb off and soaking (again). If the needle doesn't seat would fuel continue to dump into the carb?

bradmeehan wrote:I have the carb off and soaking (again). If the needle doesn't seat would fuel continue to dump into the carb?

Short answer is "YES," right up until the tank goes dry if the petcock is not working.

something like that happend to me, i removed the bowl to find the screw holding the float pin had backed out letting the pin slide to the side causing the float not to do its job.

I polished the seat of the needle valve. I'll see if it starts in the morning after sitting for a while.

Update: I think polishing the seat may have done the trick. I'm sure once I get all the plastics back on it won't start.

bradmeehan wrote:.........................I'm sure once I get all the plastics back on it won't start.

Oh, I see you know Mr. Murphy.

Exactly!!!!