84 ATC110 engine troubles

[DrinkPBR]

I got my trike for free from a guy who sold his house.

It sat for a year. I took it home and it almost started right away w/ me doing nothing but pull starting it.
So I figured it was good to go. I cleaned the carb, new gas, changed the oil, and switched out the spark plug.
When I took the original spark out it had a small dent in it and was black from smoke or burnt. I didnt think much of it.
I put the new spark in, started up after a couple pulls. Made some knocking noises, but still ran for about 2 min.
I checked the spark, it was covered in black oil and had 2 dents at the end of the plug.
I got the spark number from the original plug. I read a couple forum and it said to use a smaller spark.
I got a smaller spark, no dents, but now the damn things will not start. I feel like I have watch hundreds of vids and tried to look at
everything. The timing looked good from what I could tell, the spark is working, I am trying to run 89 octane.
I tried to use started fluid and I could not even get it close to turn over.

Can anyone help me or direct me to what I should do? What forum would this question be good for?

Thanks everyone!

[coolpool]

Please explain what the "dents" are? Is the bottom end bearing or wrist so wore out the piston is hitting the s/plug? You did say it was knocking. Pics would help. The big question is do you have a manual?

[DrinkPBR]

The dent/s are at the end of the spark plug. Seems like something has hit it pretty hard. I am not sure about bearings, that is a little beyond my knowledge. I believe the knocking was piston hitting the spark. I am no too sure though.... I only have a 82 manual that I found from a different forum. D8EA was the last 2 spark plugs i used, after both got hit. I switch to DR8HS.
169019

[barnett468]

Can anyone help me or direct me to what I should do? What forum would this question be good for?


Hello


This is it, if it doesn’t get fixed here it is not because of the members lack of knowledge.


1. Take the plug out, lay it on the head, pull the cord and look for spark tell us if it is weak and pale yellow or if it is strong and lite blue.

2. Is the plug wet when you remove it?

3. Can you do a compression test, it’s possible it has a bent valve?

4. Does it have good resistance when you pull cord like compression is decent?


Based on your results above I might ask you to check valve clearance, ohm the ign and source coil, check cam timing, and/or remove pipe and carb and with piston on TDC spray carb cleaner in ports and see if it leaks out thru valve.

[barnett468]

What is the plug gap, should be around .024-.028 I think.

[briano]

That plug is to long, you probably already have internal engine damage. Check compression, you are going to have a bent valve or broken piston.

[barnett468]

D8EA was the last 2 spark plugs i used, after both got hit. I switch to DR8HS.



Does it have good resistance when you pull cord like compression is decent? Can you do a compression test, it’s possible it has a bent valve?



That plug is to long, you probably already have internal engine damage. Check compression, you are going to have a bent valve or broken piston.


Hello DrinkPBR


As you know from your research your D8HS plug is purported by some to be the correct one [possible manual error]and irregardless is not too long and will not hit the piston or valves.

[DrinkPBR]

1. Take the plug out, lay it on the head, pull the cord and look for spark tell us if it is weak and pale yellow or if it is strong and lite blue.

2. Is the plug wet when you remove it?

3. Can you do a compression test, it’s possible it has a bent valve?

4. Does it have good resistance when you pull cord like compression is decent?


Based on your results above I might ask you to check valve clearance, ohm the ign and source coil, check cam timing, and/or remove pipe and carb and with piston on TDC spray carb cleaner in ports and see if it leaks out thru valve.

Again, I am pretty new at this stuff. From what I can see, the spark is blue and sparks about 15 times on a pull. I don’t know how to do a compression test. The cord does have good resistance when I pull it. It feels like I believe it should. I checked the valve clearance, I don’t have the proper tool, but when its at TDC they move up and down very very slightly. It would have to be pretty thin to slide anything under it. I will check to see if the valve leaks here shortly and let you know what I find. I really appreciate the help!


What is the plug gap, should be around .024-.028 I think.

The gap should be .024-.028, I am only guessing my gap is good. I don’t have the proper tools for it. Well, not yet.



As you know from your research your D8HS plug is purported by some to be the correct one [possible manual error]and irregardless is not too long and will not hit the piston or valves.

I understand the D8HS will not hit the piston. I was concerned that the D8EA was too long. A guy at an auto store gave me the D8EA, I read some forums and decided to go with the D8HS and it has not been hit yet. I am not sure this is the proper spark plug I should be using though. I get good spark with it though.

I have heard a couple times now the valve and/or pistion might need replacing. So I think that is my next task. I will need to get in and check things out.

Thanks for the help!

[DrinkPBR]

Checked it all out. The intake valve was bent. I replaced the valves, gaskets, carb rebuild and it started right up!

Thanks for the help!

[barnett468]

Hello DrinkPBR

Cool, glad to hear it was simple, have fun!

[fcf35]

Have to watch the exhaust packing in those little boogers too.the last one I rebuilt gave me fits for two days.checked and rechecked everything.finally loosened the head pipe from the head and she cranked right up.I used a cut off wheel and cut me a little 2×2 hole in the muffler and pulled all the packing out then tacked my piece back in.sounded a lot better and ran a lot better.my little slow speed wheelie machine.

[DrinkPBR]

fcf35

I was wondering about that! The exhaust was coated pretty bad in carbon build-up. I think my next mission is to get it cleaned up!

Thanks!

[tri again]

fcf35

I was wondering about that! The exhaust was coated pretty bad in carbon build-up. I think my next mission is to get it cleaned up!

Thanks!

Hey congrats on jumping right in and getting the answer.
Funny that it seems to have had enough compression to run.
What would cause an intake valve to bend, I wonder. I've seen exhaust valves do that
from running without a headpipe to control heat.
and x2 w/ fcf.
I've seen frames, air intakes and mufflers packed with mouse nests and mud bees a few times too.

Have a great time.