Hard Starter

[cyberconte]

So earlier in the week i brought my little screwdriver along with me and, after riding my 2-stroke across down, adjusted my carb. (The original problem was a low idle, but i decided to tune it while i was under there). I also tweaked the idle up a little.

I started with the air/fuel mix screw, checked the initial screw depth, and was suprised that it was only 7/8 turn out! I tried the reccomended 2.5 turns from all the way in, but the scooter absolutely refused to start - I finally managed to get it back at 1.5 screws out. I had no trouble stopping and starting the engine after that for most of the day - quick stops, so the engine was warm the whole time.

Later that day, after the engine cooled, i hopped on to go home, and the bugger yet again refused to start. I cut the fuel mixture again down to ~1 turn out, which got it started after extensive start attempts, draining my battery . So I've had to resort to my kickstart since then.

Today in the morning i didn't have much trouble starting it (with the kickstart), however when i hopped on it again tonight, it failed to start after several dozen kicks. I fiddled with both screws, but eventually it started after i put them 'back'.

Also noteworthy, over the last two days, it has been starting poorly, where if i give it any gas immediately after starting it, it dies. It usually fails to start when cold, but has no problems when warm.

I've also noted a significant drop in power when the engine is warm, although that problem transends the carb adjustment (i was kinda hoping i'd kill that problem with the carb adjustment )

So the bottom line is that i have 3 questions.

1. It sounds like the engine doesn't like the fuel mix (too rich?), but i'm hesitant to go any lower since its already at the 7/8ths it was before and i don't want to run it too lean. Do these symptoms sound familar to anyone?

2. Whats the best method for tuning the carb, since i don't have the 'just turn it 2.5 turns out' method available?

3. Anything i can do/check about the power loss after the engine is warm?

Thanks!

[enu06]

I hav'nt re-read the other part of your thread, but have you checked your valve gaps. If you find they are too small (should be 0.05-0.08) and you adjust them you may have found the problem and you will have to start again with the carb as you will have been compensating with the carb setting for the valves. No doubt you have changed the plug for NGK CR7HSA.

[Rusty]

enu......These babys are 2-stroke. No valve gaps to speak of. They have a reed valve.

cyber......I think that the 2 and a half turns really relates to the 4-stroke carbs. Different beasts.

My old 2-stroke displays a similar trait. If started regularly it will start first time every time. If i leave it for 3 days or so then not a chance. Think 5 mins or so constant turning over before it will start. Be interested to know if there is an answer to this.....

[cyberconte]

Enu - yea, no valves here. I havn't replaced the spark plug yet, since ihavn't gotten around to looking for an NGK thats the right size (the ones often mentioned here for the 4-strokes are too small)

Rusty - Yea - duely noted But there wasn't much in terms of guides for how to re-tune ones carb outside of that, so i figured "worst case, i flood the engine..." ... I tried the 'turn til the wheel goes then ease up' route too, but i found that method was highly dependant on the idle screw's state... The classic two-variable algebra problem

[tungy999]

your best getting a new plug them chinese ones are hopeless for cold starts