i have a 1987 honda 250 fourtrax and it wont start. i have change the battery and go to hit the start button and nuthing. when i try to kick start it it just putters like it wants to satrt. i believe it has an eletrical problem i just wanna no were i should start lookin. thank you

 

I would check spark at the plug first,than do an compression check [ 130-150 pound be good],than shoot carb with wd4o to see if engine will run than get back to us here.

 

it has spark but how do i check the compresion?

 

You have to get a compression checker, it has a fitting that screws into the sparkplug hole, then you either kick or electric start it for about 4-5 cycles, then check the gauge to see the psi reading.

 

+1 on the above and hold throttle full while turning engine over! This gives you the most compression.

 

My 1986 honda 250 fourtrax has sat up for a while. I rebuilt the upper end a few years ago. I followed the clymer manual. It ran great for along time. Now she does not want to start. I cleaned the carb and the old gas out of the tank. I put new gas in it and a new plug. I kick it over and nothing. I checked the plug and it had gas on it. I also checked the plug for spark by grounding it out on the head. I seemed to have a good spark. So I know I am getting gas and I have a spark so what is my next step? I would like to do a compression check but the manual says that I need to start it and let it warm up first. Can I do a compression check without starting it and if so would it be accurate? Is it possible that the spark is not strong enough? Do you think it could be the decompression cable is to tight? Would the valves being out of adjustment stop it from starting? No matter how hard I kick it over it does not really want to even hint at starting. I also noticed in the manual it talks about timing. I understand about timing and the reason for doing it but the manual said to use a timing light. Sorry for the long post but I am at my wits end. Thanks for your time.

 

Yes do an compression check with engine cold! This is the correct way to this, Yes if your values or an value is to tight from wear the value will wear down into head making the value touch rocker arm, In the end that value would be to tight making the rocker hold open the value making the compression go out the value before engine can make combrustion!!!Making engine hard to start......