Have a 1985 200s honda 3 wheeler. It will not start. It has a very weak spark,the plug is good. It also seems to be getting enough gas,but it does spit some back to the air cleaner. How do you check the parts of the ignition,coil,capacitor,cdi,etc? What would be causing the weak spark? Don't want to start changing parts till I know what the problem is,they cost more than what the machine is worth.
PS The kids tried pulling it behind the 4 wheeler to start it. That worked a few times and it ran rough,but it doesn't work anymore.

 

Sounds like you may have more of a problem than just weak spark.

Did it all the sudden quit running, or has it been in storage a while?

It shouldn't be blowing fuel and air back into the aircleaner, almost sounds like the intake valve is not sealing, has some crap between the valve & seat, or is stuck. All of which would cause it to run poorly and blow back thru the air cleaner.

Have you run a compression test? Maybe that would be a good place to start.

As far as parts go, they should be pretty cheap, Honda used variations of that engine for years in many, many bikes from 200S's to 200X's to XR200's and more. If nothing else, you could contact a used atv salvage yard (tons of 'em in the back of magazines) and get some really cheap parts. With the price of new rides today, it may be far more cost effective.

Gabe
'86ATC250R
'86ATC350X
'00TRX400EX
'84ATC200S - was my first 3-wheeler, it's gone now.

[This message has been edited by 86atc250r (edited 12-22-1999).]

 

I'd put my money on the cdi being bad, cost would be around $100.

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Harold Wells Raleigh NC 98 Wolverine& 97 Timberwolf Blueribbon Coalition Member

 

Compression is real good. Checked that first,I to thought it had a burned valve or trouble with one of them. Don't know if the timing chain jumped or not. On CDI box do I have to change the whole thing or just the pickup coil?