Honda Engine Question

[dirtyd0944]

I work at a Go Kart track, and our karts use honda gx160 and gx200 engines. Since the weather has started getting cooler, we have had one car that almost refuses to crank. Feels almost as if it just doesnt want to get compression to crank. Before the first cold weather came through we had no problems are the care ran fine. Any thoughts or suggestions on what could be causing the problem as well as what can be done to fix it.
Thanks,
David

 

[anderkart]

The GX200 manual: http://engines.honda.com/pdf/manuals/37Z4F603.pdf calls for 5w-30 weight oil in cold climates. If you haven't already tried this, might as well give it a shot.

 

[dirtyd0944]

ok thanks we will give it a try its not really that cold during the day but getting down around 30's at night so in the mornings the engine just doesnt want to crank. I have tried cranking several times today even after the temp warming up and still get nothing

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Won't crank or won't fire? Different problem, different solution.
Manual start, or electric?

 

[dirtyd0944]

It wont crank... doesnt seem to have a lot of fire but have checked and replaced plug to make sure the plug wasnt the issue. It feels almost as if a compression issue, but not 100% sure.

Won't crank or won't fire? Different problem, different solution.
Manual start, or electric?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Okay, let's work on some definitions here, I suspect we're not speaking the same breed of english...

Crank- to turn over, rotate, either by pulling the rope or activating the electric start. An engine that will not crank will not turn at all.

Fire- The event of combustion within the engine. Spark plug ignites fuel/air mix. Not necessarily running, but an audible pop from an internal explosion.

If you say compression feels low, that tells me the engine turns (or cranks).

So... No fire, or no crank?

 

[dirtyd0944]

no fire because when i pull the cord you can feel the engine trying to crank. It just wont run. The plug has been replaced so the plug should not be the issue, so what would the solution be?

Okay, let's work on some definitions here, I suspect we're not speaking the same breed of english...

Crank- to turn over, rotate, either by pulling the rope or activating the electric start. An engine that will not crank will not turn at all.

Fire- The event of combustion within the engine. Spark plug ignites fuel/air mix. Not necessarily running, but an audible pop from an internal explosion.

If you say compression feels low, that tells me the engine turns (or cranks).

So... No fire, or no crank?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Okay, that's a step in the right direction. There's a million reasons for an engine not firing. Try this- unscrew the spark plug, pour a tablespoon of fuel into the cylinder, screw the plug back in, connect the wire, yank the cord a few times, see what happens.

If it fires, you've got a fuel delivery/carbeuration problem. If not fire, problem lies elsewhere. Are you 100% sure you've got a good, strong spark?

Ensure the plug is clean, and correctly gapped. Do a spark check if you haven't already.

 

[dirtyd0944]

Have tested the spark yet no. I have a tester I can hook to it to see how much spark I am getting. Will try dumping gas in to see if it helps, however the carb and fuel system was just cleaned not long ago becuase I thought that was the problem and cleaned it first.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Well, try the spark test, and the fuel prime trick, and see what happens. Do not assume that cleaning the carb means that the carb is in good order. Perhaps it's not clean enough, and adjustment is out, something's wrong with it etc.

 

[dirtyd0944]

Ok will do. THanks for the thoughts and advice. Will let you know how it turns out.

Well, try the spark test, and the fuel prime trick, and see what happens. Do not assume that cleaning the carb means that the carb is in good order. Perhaps it's not clean enough, and adjustment is out, something's wrong with it etc.

 

[MacfarlaneRacers]

What Tracks This?

 

[Blazkowiez]

I'm having a bit of trouble with the problem that might be occurring with the engine. (not with trouble shooting, just understanding that there is a problem that hasn't been solved within the first few hours it started) EVERY single go-kart track I've ever seen has a mechanic and does all their own repairs and would be very adept at tracking down this problem. Lets assume for a moment that you don't have this, in that effect its more cost effective to go buy a new 900 dollar engine and put your Honda on the bench until you've got it back and running well again, it just doesn't pay to have a kart not in operation even for a day.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I'm having a bit of trouble with the problem that might be occurring with the engine. (not with trouble shooting, just understanding that there is a problem that hasn't been solved within the first few hours it started) EVERY single go-kart track I've ever seen has a mechanic and does all their own repairs and would be very adept at tracking down this problem. Lets assume for a moment that you don't have this, in that effect its more cost effective to go buy a new 900 dollar engine and put your Honda on the bench until you've got it back and running well again, it just doesn't pay to have a kart not in operation even for a day.

, to a degree. If business isn't that hot, and there's several karts a day not being rented, then no.
Meanwhile, where is the mechanic? Perhaps the business is quite small?

 

[dirtyd0944]

You are right it is a small business with only 10 karts. We are going into a slow season and cant afford to buy a new engine. However, I am the mechanic, and I did find the source of the problem. Checked all things suggested and even tried dumping gas in and still got nothing. Took the air filter off and tried cranking and it fired right up and ran smoother than before. Was a simple fix just had overlooked expected it to be a major issue.
Thanks again for all your help,
David

, to a degree. If business isn't that hot, and there's several karts a day not being rented, then no.
Meanwhile, where is the mechanic? Perhaps the business is quite small?

 

[r97]

just a mixture problem then.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Glad you got it sorted out. Cheers!