Question for the technically gifted

[esoltve]

Just purchased 81 ATC200 Good spark, Old fuel drained, new fuel put in, new plug, wire is fine, Will fire with ether, but not with gas or WD40. Is it possible ring/valve/compression problem. Recoil seems to have less pull than my 82 even with decompress lever up. HELP!!!!

[NOS_350X]

Wll if you have gas, spark, and compression it should run. So one of those has to be missing.

[Howdy]

If it runs on starting fluid. but dies without keeping a flow then you have a fuel problem. Clean the carb real good and try that. It should take care of it.
Howdy

[esoltve]

Fuel seems to be getting to the plug is enough to get the plug wet. Would that still be a carb problem? Should be OK if fuel is getting through.

[Manny55]

If the fuel is getting to the spark plug u should check your ignition coil maybes its weak do u have enough spark.

[Manny55]

Is the carb leaking at all??? If there is gas getting to the plug then the carb is fine and if the carb isnt leaking. You should check compression of the engine

[esoltve]

Carb isn't leaking at all. I checked the spark and was getting some good blue spark 99.9%of the time

[esoltve]

What is normal compression for that size?

[Manny55]

120 psi is usually pretty low if is below like 110 it prolly wont start at all. NOrmal is usually like 140 around there. Do you know how to compression test.

[esoltve]

Yep. I have a compression tester....somewhere. Last time I used it was on a lawnmower engine. I just have to find it. I've been lucky that most of the stuff I have purchased lately has run or has had only minor problems. I havent had to do any tear-downs in quite a while...like riding a bike. I have never worked on a honda motor before, just b&S or kohler. Any tips would be appreciated

[NOS_350X]

here is a tip

Put it back together the correct way. if you dont then it probably wont run very well

['86X]

Since you said it has strong saprk I would guess one of three things. It getting too much fuel, not enough or it has low compression. Starting fluid is hightly explosive (obviously) and it will make an engine with low compression run because of that. Check the compression and if it is above 115-120 range then move on to carb problems. If it is below that range then you need to determine why. That is another ballgame. Try that and see where it leads you. Now go to that garage and start diggin' for that compression tester ;)

[nitekrawler]

I had a bad coil! I thought it was good. What happen, I got the Atc last summer replaced stuff (tune-up) and put a car coil. Found out thats a no-no. You need a copper wire coil. Well, I looked at it and coil look good and got spark, but ran sooooo slow. Finally narrowed it down, and it was the coil!

[FullBore]

I'll give you a very good tip esoltve, Go and buy a Clymer or Haynes manual, these take you step by step through an engine rebuild or stripdown. and lots more.
Best $20 you'll ever spend!

Nat