Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

Just picked up a 1985 Gyro S in pretty good shape but not running. Has been sitting for a number of years and the guy I bought it from never had it running. Heres the issue. I have compression , spark and fuel. The engine will start right up when the starter is engaged and run for about 3-10 seconds then stall. If you give it any throttle it stalls. Acting as if it has no gas. I have rebuilt the carb (wasn't actually to dirty). I've rebuilt about 100 carbs so ok with this. Every oriface is clear and clean. The float is working good. The gas line is clean. I cleaned the petcock. Ran gas through the tank and lines to flush. Then put in new gas. The fuel flows good, and the bowl is full. After a stall, I pulled the carb and checked the bowl. Full. Also re-cleaned carb with compressed air. Clean. Re - installed, and same issue. New plug and new air filter. So to recap--clean carb,new plug,new air cleaned, fresh gas, unobstructed fuel line,compression good,spark, charged battery, easy start--but will not stay running or take any throttle. Anyone ever have this issue? When you pull the plug after a stall it is wet. Possible weak spark. The spark is blue. Any idea how to check this or if it is something else that I am missing? Thanks.

What is the plug gapped at? Current compression PSI?

motomike--your description sounds exactly like what is happening to me. Except that I cant give it any throttle. I would think that i could still give it throttle and it should speed up. My understanding is that when the throttle opens, it blocks the flow from the bystarter chamber. I'll look at the carb again(easy enough to take off ), but i checked that passage last night, sprayed cab cleaner through the hole and compressed air. Seemed free. Perhaps i'll run a soft wire through it. Thanks. I'll see what happens.

Ok. Got home. Pulled carb again. Cleaned everything again. Ran a wire though the bystarter holes. Very clean. Started again and ran for 30 seconds. Stalled out same as before as if out of gas.

What do you think about the idea that it's not starving, it's choking. Maybe not enough air getting through the filter? Did you squeeze out the oil really well? Maybe the float is too high? With what you have done it seems like it's a mixture problem, and you are reporting a wet plug. Are you using the oil pump or premix, or both? Maybe too much oil?

Carb is completely clean. Float level good. Does not over flow. Checked the flow with hose disconected and into a bottle. Good on both reserve and on. Same result with or without air filter installed. And tried it with the oil mix line attached to the intake and detached and the oil mix hole plugged. Checked the seal for leaks at the carb to manifold and manifold to engine.

Ok. Tracking it down. Bystarter has continuity. Took the bystarter off and held my finger over the hole. Idled good and throttle works. Ran out of time. Something with the bystarter circuit. Getting closer.

Did you resolve your issue, I know it's an old thread but always best to chime in once in awhile to give status for those that search the threads to get some troubleshooting tips.

motormike wrote: ↑Fri Nov 13, 2020 10:14 am

MPDano wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 9:38 am Did you resolve your issue, I know it's an old thread but always best to chime in once in awhile to give status for those that search the threads to get some troubleshooting tips.

The OP has never returned since the previous post. It's been 7 years and he's gone.
If you have a similar problem, we'd be happy to help you....motor

Thanks Mike. Been working off and on, on my 1984 project. Rebuilt the top end and cleaned the carb. After reading the thread, I'm going to make sure bystarter orifice is well cleaned. Also, since I'm taking the carb off, going to check my reeds and replace the oil pump o-ring. My symptoms is very hard start. Got 100 psi compression with throttle wide open but someone mentioned this is due to rings not fully seated yet as well as maybe the reed/oil pump o-ring. FYI, once I did get it started, I did do some varying RPM runs with no load (wheels off among other things, lol).

Maybe you have more helpful input to share.

Much Thanks.
Leo

Try to crack the gas cap open

Volvo850R wrote: ↑Mon Nov 30, 2020 6:22 am Try to crack the gas cap open

It's not hooked up to the tank yet, using a temp fuel source.

I have an 86 Spree that exhibits the same symptoms. It will cold start and run for 5-10 seconds, then die. It will not immediately restart but if it sits for 1-3 minutes, it will start and run the same. The carb has not been replaced or disassembled. The air filter is clean. I have replaced the bystarter with new (reads 8.6 ohms) and the engine is delivering fuel to the carb. I removed the lower bowl screw and cranked the starter..the fuel ran out. I pulled the plug to inspect it...it was soaked in fuel and had a lot of debris around the tip. I am trying to visualize what might be going on here and I am open to possible courses of action from this point onward. Thank you for your help!