1984 TRX200. It has spark, gas, and compression but I can't get it to even TRY to run. I've got the 3 most important factors, what's left, valve timing?

 

it could be a number of different things. first off, is the gas new or old? second, maybe you spark is not good enough to fire the fuel. check you kill switch, to make sure that is in the run position.(i know it sounds stupid, but it happens). also, try and spray a little bit of gas down into the cylinder through the spark plug hole, and see if it starts to fire, if it does then, your problem is in the fuel system, maybe clogged carb or something.

 

The gas is fresh, carb is clean, and I tried pouring gas and ether in the cylinder and it still wouldn't fire. The spark is orange (not blue), but nice and fat. If it was the kill switch would it still have spark? I wonder if the switch is shot. Could I just remove it totally?

 

I would try, a new spark plug, yes you are right, you would not have spark if the kill switch is on. Also, is the air filter clean? or maybe you are not turning the motor over fast enough to get it to start.I would try a new spark plug, then let me know how that goes.

 

Just put a new plug in, no difference. The carb isn't connected to the air box right now so the filter wouldn't matter either. I'm stumped on this one. I'm using the recoil and am giving it a pretty good pull, so much that after 10 pulls I need a breather!

 

If it won't start with fuel poured right into the cylinder, then i'm thinking your timing might be a 180 degrees off. What happened for you to get to this point where it wouldnt' start? did you try and rebuild it, find it out behind someone's house and asked if they wanted to sell it etc. give me a little background on the quad. if it won't even start to fire, it sounds like either timing chain or electrical in the switches.

 

I bought it from the local newspaper. I have no info other than it was missing the gas tank and carb. I don't use the electric start, so I don't think it's an electrical issue. Timing chain possibly? How can I test it? Would it make any noises when I'm pulling?

 

Did you do an actual compression test? What was the compression?

You could try pull starting it. Have someone hook up a tow strap, put it in top gear, key on, and have them tow it at 7 to 10 miles an hour. If it capible of being started, thatll do it.

You could also try a small amount of 2 stoke oil in the spark plug hole, then pull the motor over with out the spark plug in, to distribute the oil, and then put the plug back in, and try to start it. 2 stroke oil works best, because it burns with out leaving deposits, but if you dont have 2 stroke oil, just regular motor oil will work. Sometimes after motors have sat for awhile, the cylinder and rings dry out, and compression drops too far. This oiling should help bring the compression up.

 

I didn't use a compression tester, but it has enough to blow my thumb off the spark plug hole. I also tried the oil trick yesterday with no luck. It won't even pop or backfire!

 

I agree, try to pull start and see what happens. also, check the intake to make sure it is clean.