I put the 90 viper down cellar about a month ago for the Winter. Filled the gas tank, added Stabil and let run for about 10 minutes. Tried to start today and it turns over but won't start. I admit, I'm a novice on engines...what things should I check and in what order? The Viper is 2 years old and has been run mildly on grass. The battery is now charging as I killed it trying to get it going. How do you not flood the engine when trying to start...do you keep choke on the entire time and open the throttle when trying to start? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Pull the spark plug out and see if its firing and also if its wet or not.Make sure kill switch is not on and key is turned on.Dry plug if wet and make sure its firing.Install plug and crank it with the choke on.You shouldn't have to touch the throttle.Sometimes it takes awhile to get them started after they have been sitting for along time...Make sure your turning the choke on.It's easy to get confused which way is which on the lever.There is a little white arrow showing you which way is on..Also make sure the gas is turned on.

 

Ok..pulled plug, it was fairly wet...cleaned it of...dumb question, plug is in a tough position, how do you see if there is spark? So, leave choke open the entire time I'm trying to start, and don't give it any throttle?

 

I open the throttle about half way it it doesn't start right away, choke all the way on when its cold.

 

ugh stabil!...change your plu and always remember you need 3 things for an engine to run...fuel air and spark....

 

A wet plug ususlly indicates too much fuel. I would guess that you over choked it, and flooded it.

To check for spark, remove plug, reinstall plug wire to plug, hold threaded base of plug to a good ground (usually on cylender head), turn ignition "on", turn engine over, and watch for a good spark.

 

Ok...I took plug off again to check spark and noticed the gap seemed way too large. I measured and it wasn't even close to the specs(.023). I adjusted the gap and it started right up. This was the original factory installed plug.

Question...how would the gap be so off? No way it moved by itself, I had to use the gap tool to push back down. I mean, the gap was probably 4 times too large...at least.

 

Dang blasted gremlins. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]

 

Your problem probably had nothing to do with the plug gap.If it was flooded you probably just cleared out the cylinder by removing the plug and cranking it over...At any rate glad to hear you got it running again.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]