Predator 212 flywheel locked

[aplit]

So I've had my Predator 212 off my kart for a week as I've been working on it. I put the thing back on my kart today and tried to start it up. I slowly pulled the pull cord to lubricate the engine, and allowed it to return. When I then went to yank it to start, the flywheel locked. It won't let me pull.

I opened it up and the actual rope part is fine. The thing it spins has the issue. While I can turn it with my hand fine going counterclockwise, the thing will turn clockwise until it reaches a point and won't move past.

Any thoughts on what happened and how I can fix this?

Thanks.

 

[anickode]

What all did you do to the engine?

And how far can you turn the flywheel before it locks up?

 

[KartFab]

What all did you do to the engine?

Because anything you touched could have been messed up. Magneto, coil gap, something actually stuck to the flywheel magnet, or worse, something inside the engine.

 

[2SlickNick]

I commonly find when this happens, it's because I dropped a nut bolt and it gets stuck to the flywheel magnet.

 

[anickode]

Because anything you touched could have been messed up. Magneto, coil gap, something actually stuck to the flywheel magnet, or worse, something inside the engine.

Or if the case was open and the timing got indexed wrong, the Piston could be smashing one of the valves... All sorts of bad juju

 

[aplit]

I was only working on the carb. I did drop the linkage from the throttle arm to the carb and was not able to find this. Maybe that wire linkage fell in. How would I get that out?

The flywheel turns about two full rotations before locking up. With a strong pull, I am able to get it past this point. Then it will go another two rotations before locking up again.

---------- Post added at 04:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:48 PM ----------

What all did you do to the engine?

And how far can you turn the flywheel before it locks up?

Flywheel will go two full rotations before locking up. When locked up, I can keep pushing it with some might. Then it frees up and spins another two rotations.

I was just working on the carb and installing a new throttle cable.

---------- Post added at 04:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:51 PM ----------

I commonly find when this happens, it's because I dropped a nut bolt and it gets stuck to the flywheel magnet.

I dropped the linkage that goes from the throttle handle to the carb and I can't find it. Maybe this fell in. How would I get it out?

 

[anickode]

I was only working on the carb. I did drop the linkage from the throttle arm to the carb and was not able to find this. Maybe that wire linkage fell in. How would I get that out?

The flywheel turns about two full rotations before locking up. With a strong pull, I am able to get it past this point. Then it will go another two rotations before locking up again.

---------- Post added at 04:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:48 PM ----------




Flywheel will go two full rotations before locking up. When locked up, I can keep pushing it with some might. Then it frees up and spins another two rotations.

I was just working on the carb and installing a new throttle cable.

---------- Post added at 04:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:51 PM ----------



I dropped the linkage that goes from the throttle handle to the carb and I can't find it. Maybe this fell in. How would I get it out?

Stuck compression release?

 

[mckutzy]

If something is loose inside the cover of the motor... take the fan shoud off.

 

[aplit]

Stuck compression release?

How do I investigate this? Where do I find the compression release? Is this a piece that can be fixed or replaced?

 

[mckutzy]

Its inside the motor, attached to the cam.

 

[aplit]

Update: I threw the cover back on and the wheel is spinning fine. Weird. The engine starts then quickly stalls if the throttle isn't feeding it plenty of gas. The first few times I did this it was knocking...

Rode the go kart and it seemed like it wasn't producing the horsepower it typically does. The last time this happened I cleaned the carb and it did the trick. But I just cleaned the carb the other day so that shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks all.

---------- Post added at 07:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 PM ----------

Because anything you touched could have been messed up. Magneto, coil gap, something actually stuck to the flywheel magnet, or worse, something inside the engine.

Update: I threw the cover back on and the wheel is spinning fine. Weird. The engine starts then quickly stalls if the throttle isn't feeding it plenty of gas. The first few times I did this it was knocking...

Rode the go kart and it seemed like it wasn't producing the horsepower it typically does. The last time this happened I cleaned the carb and it did the trick. But I just cleaned the carb the other day so that shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks all.

---------- Post added at 07:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:19 PM ----------

If something is loose inside the cover of the motor... take the fan shoud off.

Update: I threw the cover back on and the wheel is spinning fine. Weird. The engine starts then quickly stalls if the throttle isn't feeding it plenty of gas. The first few times I did this it was knocking...

Rode the go kart and it seemed like it wasn't producing the horsepower it typically does. The last time this happened I cleaned the carb and it did the trick. But I just cleaned the carb the other day so that shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks all.

---------- Post added at 07:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:56 PM ----------

Or if the case was open and the timing got indexed wrong, the Piston could be smashing one of the valves... All sorts of bad juju

Update: I threw the cover back on and the wheel is spinning fine. Weird. The engine starts then quickly stalls if the throttle isn't feeding it plenty of gas. The first few times I did this it was knocking...

Rode the go kart and it seemed like it wasn't producing the horsepower it typically does. The last time this happened I cleaned the carb and it did the trick. But I just cleaned the carb the other day so that shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks all.

 

[anickode]

Definitely have something going on internally.

You didn't do anything with the head, valves, or cam? Even take the valve cover off? Everry other rotation suggests a cam/valve issue, since those parts all spin/cycle at half the speed of the crank.

 

[aplit]

Definitely have something going on internally.

You didn't do anything with the head, valves, or cam? Even take the valve cover off? Everry other rotation suggests a cam/valve issue, since those parts all spin/cycle at half the speed of the crank.

Haven't touched the cylinder head, valves with OHV lettered cover, or cam shaft. Maybe the throttle linkage wire that I couldn't find fell inside the valve cover?

The things I have done/ touched are: changed oil, changed gas, removed and cleaned carb, replace spark plug, mod kit step 1 (jet, filter, exhaust) and removed and reinstalled the pull cable.

The pull cable is feeling fine. Just the initial knocking and stalling / idling and noticeable loss of power when riding.

 

[aplit]

Is it possible that because I was spinning the wheel with my hands, with the pull cord disconnected that when I reattached the pull cord it threw off the timing of the engine. Like when the cord is being pulled it isn't starting the sequence of the valves at the right place?

 

[KartFab]

Haven't touched the cylinder head, valves with OHV lettered cover, or cam shaft. Maybe the throttle linkage wire that I couldn't find fell inside the valve cover?

The things I have done/ touched are: changed oil, changed gas, removed and cleaned carb, replace spark plug, mod kit step 1 (jet, filter, exhaust) and removed and reinstalled the pull cable.

The pull cable is feeling fine. Just the initial knocking and stalling / idling and noticeable loss of power when riding.

so i would be looking at three areas here

1) spark plug: if you got one that is longer, the piston could be hitting it
2) carb: could have a bad gasket or idle circuit, etc. in addition to your rotation problem
3) flywheel could be hitting something like others have said


If this was my engine I would personally do the following:

1) remove spark plug, check gap: is it smashed on the end? should be approx .030" gap. Shine flashlight into plug hole, is there a mark on the piston from the spark plug? Keep spark plug out

2) carb: remove bowl, jet, emulsion tube, and idle pilot jet. clean the rest thoroughly, Check users manual for gasket placement. Make sure all gaskets are good, and there are no cracks, and especially make sure that the gaskets are not upside down or backwards. torque to spec when reassembling.

3) after you removed your spark plug you can EASILY turn the engine over because there is no compresison build up. Take the blower housing off (its the cover that the pull start connects to). grab the flywheel with your hand and rotate it. It should rotate easily in either direction, but rotate it the way the engine should spin. if it is being held up still, you need to check the clearance that the flywheel has to the magneto (coil gap) should be about .0166" from the flywheel magnet. The magnet attracts metal, there could be a screw or nut or something made of steel stuck to the magnet on the flywheel that is rubbing or nudging the coil.


If you are still having issues, you may have to actually open up the crankcase and see whats up. Chances are, you messed something up yourself, even if you don't think you did. Ive had plenty of those moments, where i was like "im an idiiot why didnt i think of that" we are all here to help you out so the more you can tell us, the better chance we have of helping you out.

 

[aplit]

so i would be looking at three areas here

1) spark plug: if you got one that is longer, the piston could be hitting it
2) carb: could have a bad gasket or idle circuit, etc. in addition to your rotation problem
3) flywheel could be hitting something like others have said


If this was my engine I would personally do the following:

1) remove spark plug, check gap: is it smashed on the end? should be approx .030" gap. Shine flashlight into plug hole, is there a mark on the piston from the spark plug? Keep spark plug out

2) carb: remove bowl, jet, emulsion tube, and idle pilot jet. clean the rest thoroughly, Check users manual for gasket placement. Make sure all gaskets are good, and there are no cracks, and especially make sure that the gaskets are not upside down or backwards. torque to spec when reassembling.

3) after you removed your spark plug you can EASILY turn the engine over because there is no compresison build up. Take the blower housing off (its the cover that the pull start connects to). grab the flywheel with your hand and rotate it. It should rotate easily in either direction, but rotate it the way the engine should spin. if it is being held up still, you need to check the clearance that the flywheel has to the magneto (coil gap) should be about .0166" from the flywheel magnet. The magnet attracts metal, there could be a screw or nut or something made of steel stuck to the magnet on the flywheel that is rubbing or nudging the coil.


If you are still having issues, you may have to actually open up the crankcase and see whats up. Chances are, you messed something up yourself, even if you don't think you did. Ive had plenty of those moments, where i was like "im an idiiot why didnt i think of that" we are all here to help you out so the more you can tell us, the better chance we have of helping you out.

Just opened up the black case housing the flywheel and magneto. The little throttle linkage wire was stuck to the magnet. Pulled it off and the engine is running smooth!!! Crazy how a little wire can disrupt the entire system.

Thank you so much for your help.

---------- Post added at 10:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 PM ----------

Just opened up the black case housing the flywheel and magneto. The little throttle linkage wire was stuck to the magnet. Pulled it off and the engine is running smooth!!! Crazy how a little wire can disrupt the entire system.

Thank you all for your help.

 

[bob58o]

Just wondering if your name is Jimmy?
LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXUgLqsdZvI

 

[aplit]

Just wondering if your name is Jimmy?
LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXUgLqsdZvI

Haha no. Just unsure how this forum worked. Not sure if people that have commented are notified when another person writes on the thread or if they are only notified when they are quoted or are not notified at all. Wanted to make sure my messages were reaching the right places.

Sorry.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Wanted to make sure my messages were reaching the right places.

The right places