Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

Today i went and bought a 1985 honda spree with a title knowing it wasnt running. I spent the whole day cleaning it up took everything apart cleaned the carb twice, checked the oil pump, spark plug, put fresh gas and oil in it, put new hoses on it (clear), and primed them. I put it all back together and tried starting it. The auto starter turns the engine over no problem, but it wont start...... The spark plug is working so i have spark, the gas i can see is going into the carb, and i sprayed a premix into it as a prime so it has fuel, i didnt put the air filter on so i definately had oxygen. Whats wrong!?!?!?!?! not enough compression in the engine maybe, would a bad bystarter cause it not to even start for a second. LEt me know guys!

Do a compression test. Not enough compression and nothing on this planet will make it run.

how do i do a compression test remember im a newbie!

I use this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/compressio ... 66216.html


Use the adapter that matches the threading of your spark plug, insert it into where your spark plug goes ( top of the cylinder ).

Try to start the engine, the gauge goes up as compression builds up, make sure you have the throttle wide open as you're doing this. When the needle stops moving, that is your compression. Check the service manual - http://www.wikispreedia.com/index.html look for it there. It will tell you what your compression should be, lets say your compression should be 140 - 180, and you are only getting 75 psi, then you have bad compression, and probably have bad rings, or something else major. If your compression checks out good? I would triple check the carb, make sure your slow jet isn't clogged with even a particle of dirt, that will keep it from firing, I found out. I would take a small cap from a 2 stroke bottle, and put a little bit of gas in there and put it in the spark plug hole on the top of your cylinder also, see if it even ignites, too. If it ignites, then it's a fuel delivery issue from the carb. (Thanks Mike ).

Edit: Also, if you didn't replace the plug, and just looked at it, replace it. Always replace the plug.

abreen89 wrote:how do i do a compression test remember im a newbie!

Service manual tells all. Download here.

http://www.hondaspree.net/other/Spree_NQ50_84-87_1.pdf

alright i went to harbour freight and got a compression tester opened it up and it was missing parts! just happened to be the parts i needed. Soooo i wont be able to exchange it until Sat. in the mean time i tried putting mixed gas down the spark plug hole and put the spark plug in and it still didnt even start. I can put my thumb over the hole and feel compression, but not sure if its enough? if it doesnt start even when u put fuel directly into the plug whole doesnt that mean there has to be something wrong with the engine or is there another possibility? And if there is something wrong with the engine what do i do to fix it? Thanks guys

If it doesn't ignite with gas on top of the piston, it's not getting spark, or low compression. Like Bear said in another thread even if you have 40 psi compression it can blow your finger off the hole, you need to test it properly.

ragtop89 wrote:If it doesn't ignite with gas on top of the piston, it's not getting spark, or low compression. Like Bear said in another thread even if you have 40 psi compression it can blow your finger off the hole, you need to test it properly.

Yes i will get another compression tester to test it. But i think we have diagnosed the problem down to the compression of the engine, because i can pull the plug and touch it to metal and it has very good spark.

abreen89 wrote:

ragtop89 wrote:If it doesn't ignite with gas on top of the piston, it's not getting spark, or low compression. Like Bear said in another thread even if you have 40 psi compression it can blow your finger off the hole, you need to test it properly.

Yes i will get another compression tester to test it. But i think we have diagnosed the problem down to the compression of the engine, because i can pull the plug and touch it to metal and it has very good spark.

Being able to spark across the plug gap only requires enough spark to NOT make the engine run. The spark needs to be able to jump a 7/16" gap to be capable of running the engine. You need one of these to test it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/90-inline- ... -4445.html

Bear45-70 wrote:

abreen89 wrote:

ragtop89 wrote:If it doesn't ignite with gas on top of the piston, it's not getting spark, or low compression. Like Bear said in another thread even if you have 40 psi compression it can blow your finger off the hole, you need to test it properly.

Yes i will get another compression tester to test it. But i think we have diagnosed the problem down to the compression of the engine, because i can pull the plug and touch it to metal and it has very good spark.

Being able to spark across the plug gap only requires enough spark to NOT make the engine run. The spark needs to be able to jump a 7/16" gap to be capable of running the engine. You need one of these to test it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/90-inline- ... -4445.html

Alright bear i have to pick one of those up. I bought a new spark plug for it though and it still dint work. does the tester test the spark plug or just if the amount of current creating the spark is enough let me know?

Did you even put a plug in when you got it?

ragtop89 wrote:Did you even put a plug in when you got it?

I checked the old one (color) on wikispreedia and it was great. Just to be safe i bought a new one though i have tried both plugs with fuel in the hole and neighter one start the engine.

First, I ask it the airbox in place? You have spark It may not be enough. Compression test is a baseline though. Get an accurate test then, you have a basis to work from.

martynkim wrote:First, I ask it the airbox in place? You have spark It may not be enough. Compression test is a baseline though. Get an accurate test then, you have a basis to work from.

no there is no air box. and yes ik i am going to get another compression gauge asap...

You NEED and airbox. or a pod filter.