Spree died while riding it; cranks but won't start

mutex · Post by **mutex** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:19 pm

After I managed to get the electric start working on my Spree, I drove it around for about 15 miles at max speed. Suddenly, it dropped to about 15 mph for a few seconds, and then the engine quit. Now it won't start. I could crank it for two minutes and nothing would happen.

I've replaced the spark plug and cleaned the carburetor. I'm guessing it's a fuel problem.

When I apply suction to the vacuum tube or crank the engine, fuel dribbles out of the other valve. I don't really know if the petcock could be clogged.. how much fuel normally comes out of it?

Could it also be a problem with compression? I've removed the spark plug and felt some suction with my hand over the hole, but I don't have any means of measuring the compression.

Any advice would be appreciated.

berreta22 · Post by **berreta22** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:46 pm

the exact same thing happened to me..i ended up blowin a piston and rings and cylinder...while this may not be your case check for three things: Compression. spark. fuel. compression should be around 90 to 110 or so.

mutex · Post by **mutex** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:56 pm

I haven't tested the compression yet.. I don't have a gauge to do that with. But if this turns out to be the problem, is it relatively easy to take apart the cylinder and piston? And where would I get replacement rings?

berreta22 · Post by **berreta22** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:14 pm

start with the basics..you got spark and fuel?

mutex · Post by **mutex** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:45 am

I tested the spark plug, and it seems to be working fine. And I believe there's fuel getting to the carburetor, but not very much. Basically the only thing I haven't checked is the compression...

berreta22 · Post by **berreta22** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 8:14 pm

go to a parts store like auto zone they have free rental tools..you just put down a deposit and you get all that back when you return it.

darat · Post by **darat** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:23 am

yeah u need to check the compression

mutex · Post by **mutex** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:15 pm

OK, I checked the compression and it's extremely low. 30 psi or so. I'm guessing it's a broken piston ring and I'm about to take apart the cylinder right now. I hope I didn't mess up the entire cylinder and piston...

Where would I be able to find replacements?

Around how much would it cost for the honda shop to repair it for me?

berreta22 · Post by **berreta22** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:40 pm

Well i got mine from www.discounthondaparts.com ....if you can get em at the dealer its cause they have left overs...the dealer said they cant order them anymore..make sure the cylinder you have is still reusable or you may have to get it bored out like i did. 55 bucks at a machine shop is what it cost me. now i just gotta put it together but my 3 yr old daughter wont leave me alone lol BTW the bore over step one is .025 and step two is .050. as far as the dealer..you are better doin it yourself if you can..its a ton of money saved. or bring it over and we will have a spree night lol

Post by **noiseguy** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 12:01 am

If the bore's scored you may want to contact Greg at uspmale@yahoo.com to see if he has a matched bore/piston set that you can swap in directly. A rebore with new piston will run over $100 using new parts. If it's just rings then the job should run about $50.

mutex · Post by **mutex** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 12:22 am

Thanks for your help... I'll see what I can do

berreta22 · Post by **berreta22** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:43 pm

noiseguy wrote:If the bore's scored you may want to contact Greg at uspmale@yahoo.com to see if he has a matched bore/piston set that you can swap in directly. A rebore with new piston will run over $100 using new parts. If it's just rings then the job should run about $50.

Noiseguy...mine ran 105.00 so you are right on (rings, rebore, and piston)

No_Stopping_A_Spree · Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:59 pm

yeah dude your piston may be done for the kid who bought mine said the same thing happaned to him I got to go over and loosen up the piston because it seized. It's all chared up in there but it's "ok it'll still run fine". Now it doesn't run because he somehow chipped over half of the teeth off of the kickstart. Kids lol