I'm sure it's my fault for neglecting it for almost a year but my old dependable TB won't crank. I got spark and gas. I went ahead and cleaned out the carb but still won't crank. I doubt it is related but the starter won't turn either and I just put a new battery and solenoid (? the thing next to the battery) in it this time last year. The solenoid clicks when I hit the starter button but nothing happens. I pull forever and it doesn't crank. It hasn't run since first week of January (this year) but ran fine last time out. The last tank of gas run it it was rich in oil due to having to run some Honda oil and not my usual Amsoil mix. Any suggestions on where to start? I do have an automobile compression gauge though I've never done a compression check on a 2-stroke. Anything different to test 2 stroke? (Although I don't feel it's compression related, like I said it ran great up until Deer season was over)

 

compression check is pull plug pull start 5 full cranks w/ the throttle wide open w/ a cold engine(since its not running thats not a problem). should be at least 100 psi. did you jump the solnoide to check to see if its still just clicking?

 

Haven't done anything yet. I'll check the solenoid and do a compresiion check tomorrow.

Thanks,

e

 

check your intake boot too...those 250 motors have a bad habit of creating a crack in them

 

Intake boot looked good when i pulled the carb off to clean yesterday.

thanks

 

OK......................

As far the starter issue, I jumped the 2 big wires at the solenoid and nothing happened so I guess the starter has gone bad or there is a bad connection at the starter. The battery was charged by the way.

As for the not cranking. I pulled the plug and tested the compression. After 4 pulls with the throttle wide open, I had 130 Lbs. Which I guess is not bad for a 12 year old machine with the original guts, but it still ain't running. Any suggestions???

Ernie

 

well 130 psi is really good so you know its not that for an issue and you say its got spark w/ the a new plug. it does sound like your starter needs to come off and maybe cleaned/rebuilt or something. is the plug getting gas? did you try putting a little in the spark plug or a shot of starting fluid if you have it just to get it to fire. you made sure when the carb went back together everything was correct as well? just a a few ideas

 

It's getting lot's of gas! It blew some out of the compression gauge when I released the pressure. My gauge has a quick-connect head so I removed it and pulled the cord and lot's of gas came out of the hose when pulled. I'm almost concerned it's getting too much gas.

I don't know if this is relevant, but during hunting season last year it was getting increasingly hard to start when cold. Like it was flooded out??? After it cranked, it ran fine, over than smoking from the excess oil. (or was it excess oil, maybe unknown carb issue???) Just thinking! I tried to crank it with starting fluid yesterday but nothing happened. When I pull the plug out, it definitely has gas out it but it's not dripping wet so I don't know if it's flooding or not.

e

 

check the exhaust for blockage and the header pipe for being full of gas. i would try to do a leakdown test to check the seals on the crank. but i dont think those will be a problem.
there is a drain on the bottom of the motor..pull it out and see if anything comes out.

 

I'll check this evening when I get home. Another interesting thing I remembered..................A couple months ago i went to crank it and the cord was EXTREMELY hard to pull. like the piston was trying to compress liquid (gasoline) so I didn't try to pull it anymore fearing I would damage something since I have seen hydrolock before. And the quarter tank of gas that was in it was completely gone the other day when I started messing with it again. i'll definitely check the drain this evening. that gas went somewhere and I haven't noticed a huge puddle on the shop floor!