Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

'86 Spree 8265 miles
Ran okay before winter. Cleaned carb, ported intake, new gaskets around reeds, new clear fuel hose, new air filter, and patched previous owners hole in airbox, new spark plug, "new" ignition coil wire.

Been through two full battery charges of turning over. No avail. I see the fuel getting into the carb ( I applied suction on vac and saw the fuel fill the line)
What do I start with to fix?

Justin80 wrote:'86 Spree 8265 miles
Ran okay before winter. Cleaned carb, ported intake, new gaskets around reeds, new clear fuel hose, new air filter, and patched previous owners hole in airbox, new spark plug, "new" ignition coil wire.

Been through two full battery charges of turning over. No avail. I see the fuel getting into the carb ( I applied suction on vac and saw the fuel fill the line)
What do I start with to fix?

You are aware that;

Bear45-70 wrote:

Justin80 wrote:'86 Spree 8265 miles
Ran okay before winter. Cleaned carb, ported intake, new gaskets around reeds, new clear fuel hose, new air filter, and patched previous owners hole in airbox, new spark plug, "new" ignition coil wire.

Been through two full battery charges of turning over. No avail. I see the fuel getting into the carb ( I applied suction on vac and saw the fuel fill the line)
What do I start with to fix?

You are aware that;

Nope, did not know. Well now what? edit: actually I did do it a few seconds at a time then waited a few seconds. I didnt hold start continuously.

If you have fuel do you have spark?

Did the run/Stop switch get bumped to the stop position? Been there done that.

martynkim wrote:If you have fuel do you have spark?

I'll check first thing tmrw.

Bear45-70 wrote:Did the run/Stop switch get bumped to the stop position? Been there done that.

Oh no. I kept watching that switch like a hawk. A hungry hawk.

Something maybe strange though, while the key is turned fully on, the horn and turn signals work but the headlight does nothing. I guess it only runs when the engine is running?

Justin80 wrote:

martynkim wrote:If you have fuel do you have spark?

I'll check first thing tmrw.

Bear45-70 wrote:Did the run/Stop switch get bumped to the stop position? Been there done that.

Oh no. I kept watching that switch like a hawk. A hungry hawk.

Something maybe strange though, while the key is turned fully on, the horn and turn signals work but the headlight does nothing. I guess it only runs when the engine is running?

Headlight is run by AC voltage from the alternator so only lights when scooter is running. Same for the dash lights.

check compression with that many miles you will probably have to replace the rings if they havent already..

abreen89 wrote:check compression with that many miles you will probably have to replace the rings if they havent already..

Ugh great. I guess at that point I might as well get a big bore kit.

Justin80 wrote:

abreen89 wrote:check compression with that many miles you will probably have to replace the rings if they havent already..

Ugh great. I guess at that point I might as well get a big bore kit.

Only if compression is actually bad. You are kinda getting ahead of yourself.

Pull the spark plug... check the condition... if its wet, then crank the motor with no plug in it for a few seconds... then clean the plug off (I usually defoul with a quick spray of WD40, then brush it down, then clean it all off with brake cleaner and a few short bursts with a torch.)

I'd then plug the spark plug into the coil and ground the side of it... crank the motor over and check for spark. (be weary of gasoline when you're doing this... highly unlikely something would ignite... but keep an eye out)... be sure to insulate yourself in case the spark decides you're the best path to ground.

If you don't see spark... start troubleshooting that.

If you do see spark. I'd try again (now that you know for sure your plug isn't fouled up -- it doesn't matter if its new or not)

If it still doesn't fire, recheck your carb screw settings for something dumb (pilot screw all the way in) -- though it should still sputter when you try.

You didn't mention that you KNOW fuel is in the float bowl... the line may fill up, but if the float or float needle is stuck, you may not be getting fuel... crack the float bowl drain screw and make sure fuel is coming out of the bowl.

fatcharlie wrote:.................................................I'd then plug the spark plug into the coil and ground the side of it... crank the motor over and check for spark. (be weary of gasoline when you're doing this... highly unlikely something would ignite... but keep an eye out)... be sure to insulate yourself in case the spark decides you're the best path to ground......................

Just because there is enough spark to arc the plug gap with no pressure or fuel present, does not mean there is enough spark to fire the fuel/air mixture under compression. The system needs to be able to arc at least 3/8" gap but most CDI system spec 7/16".

It's alive!!

I pulled the plug and being brand new it was totally dry. So guessed it wasn't getting fuel. I applied suction on the vacuum line and tried again and she fired right up!