Oil - no start

[Rideslikenacho]

Took one of the Sprees out of storage yesterday to crank up and could not get it to fire up. Oil light came on and noticed the entire tank was empty, also when cranking it really acts like its hydrolocked. I’ve taken the oil pump off one before and exhaust to let it drain out.

Why would the oil tank drain completely though?

[motormike]

Oil pump will drain the tank when the o-ring in the pump has failed.
The crankcase and/or cylinder has filled with oil and is hydro-locked.
Draining the oil is a big job, but will allow you to return the engine to service once cleared.

[Rideslikenacho]

Thanks Mike, is that o ring something I can find locally or Honda specific?

Also any recommendations for draining the case? If I remember correctly the oil pump is the lowest point on the case.

[bonesv]

Just remember, when you are able to kick the motor over, whatever is in the crankcase will be forced into the exhaust pipe and then you will have another problem.....try to drain as much oil as you can out of the case. I have, in the past, used gasoline to thin the last bit of oil so it could be drained out more completely but just do not use very much. Gasoline will evaporate - if you allow it some ventilation, even faster! Good luck!

[vintagegarage]

Sounds like bones had good advice..

[Rideslikenacho]

Excellent thank you all for the feedback. I’ll take the oil pump off and try and lean it to get the oil out while checking the gasket same time. Then refill tank, pull plug and spin over the engine to get the rest out. If I remember correctly I believe this is the one that was hydrolocked originally and probably was the oil pump and why the guy was selling it.

[Rideslikenacho]

Bones - when I drained it the first time after buying it, I removed the exhaust first to avoid getting anything in it and spun it over with a rag to catch the oil coming out the exhaust port.

[bonesv]

Bones - when I drained it the first time after buying it, I removed the exhaust first to avoid getting anything in it and spun it over with a rag to catch the oil coming out the exhaust port.

You did good You will get that thing up and running in no time! You may have to change the spark plug if it fouls from the oil. Use only NGK spark plugs. I think it's BPR6HS

[Rideslikenacho]

Removed the oil pump and exhaust. Leaned the bike forward and drained the oil out of the case. Replaced the o ring on the pump and reinstalled. Tried cranking it over a few times and it didn't want to crank, kept winding down. Then a little smoke from the starter area then nothing at all. Maybe I killed the starter?

[Meatball]

Try starting it with a hi-speed drill on the drive face bolt.

[Rideslikenacho]

Try starting it with a hi-speed drill on the drive face bolt.

Good idea, I’ve done this before on another one so I’ll try that this weekend. Really hope that starter isn’t fried given how hard they are to find replacements for and no kickstart on this one.

[Rideslikenacho]

Question: I noticed when I took off the oil pump the shaft with the gear comes out of the pump body. Is that normal? Seems like it should connect to something inside oil pump body. Maybe its broke.

[Meatball]

Thats normal. The shaft just pulls out of the pump and can be pushed back in.

[Rideslikenacho]

Thats normal. The shaft just pulls out of the pump and can be pushed back in.

Ok excellent thank you. It only goes in one way so I can’t imagine putting it back in messed up the starter. I guess its possible when I leaned it forward to get the oil out maybe some got on the starter. I’ll try and start it with a drill tomorrow and see what happens then troubleshoot the starter.

[Meatball]

If my memory serves me correctly, the Spree spins backwards to the Elites. Be sure to spin the correct way.