engine only runs few seconds

[Magice]

So I just got my Honda GX340 together after cleaning, etc. Now when I start it, it only fires a few times. Strongly but a few times. Valve lash is at .002 for intake and .003 for exhaust. Carb has been thoroughly cleaned. Any ideas what the problem is?

 

[oscaryu1]

Spray some starting fluid in the carburetor. Does it run longer?

 

[Russ2251]

Avoid starting ether.
Does it actually run in bursts for a few seconds on its own or does it just fire on occasion as you described? Any backfire through carb?

 

[Magice]

I was thinking of the spray.. Don't have any and live out of the way though.

It takes a few good pulls to start it. It sounds like the piston fires twice before it dies. No backfires.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Mixture setting out of whack? Something wired wrong with ignition?

 

[Russ2251]

Try pouring a teaspoon of gas into spark plug hole. Replace plug and then hold throttle wide open (no choke) and try to start. Let me know me what happens.

 

[oscaryu1]

I was thinking of the spray.. Don't have any and live out of the way though.

It takes a few good pulls to start it. It sounds like the piston fires twice before it dies. No backfires.

There's plenty of alternatives... just gas, or carburetor cleaner...

Long time ago, people even used WD40

 

[kibble]

Just out of curiosity, did you add oil to the crankcase?

 

[Russ2251]

Just out of curiosity, did you add oil to the crankcase?

Hey....No more of this contributing crap.
Shouldn't you be moderating or something?

 

[Magice]

Ok. With the teaspoon of gas it runs for a few seconds then quits. I now suspect the carb. It was working before I cleaned it out (soaked it in parts cleaner solvent). I cleaned it out yet again and it still doesn't run. Float seems to be working fine. Oh, and it is loaded with amsoil 4 stroke and not connected to the oil sensor. It WILL start and run for a 1 second without extra help but it takes a number of pulls.

 

[Russ2251]

Definitely fuel starved. Check that float level is in spec and be sure there's no sticking of needle/float. Remove bowl and turn on fuel supply to see if you have flow. If this checks out then jets may be clogged. This is probably the case.
Welch plugs (if equipped) may have to be removed and checked for debris. Carb cleaners can sometimes just move crud around and redeposit it in a place you can't get at easily.

 

[2or3wheels]

what carb do you have, could just need to be adjusted.

 

[kibble]

Hey....No more of this contributing crap.
Shouldn't you be moderating or something?

Yeah? Well how about I moderate and give you an infraction for being fftopic: !?
I knew these smilies would come in handy!

 

[Magice]

Wow, I found the problem. One of the gaskets was on upside down and a chunk of paper was covering a hole on the carb.. Now a new problem. The engine won't run / start WITH choke, and when I rev it up it revs for a few secs then dies, even if I de rev it

 

[Russ2251]

Sounds rich. Try adjusting low speed needle.