Teach me about Reeds....

[Dave223]

Ok, so call me stupid. :lol: Ive looked thru my manual, searched this site and the internet...Looks like Im no smarter on this subject than when I started!:D

what exactly do reed valves in a 2 stroke do?
What are the symptoms of bad reed valves?
I have a set of reeds on a cage, there is a small gap between them and the cage. Is this right and is there a gap setting?
The reed cage setup thats currently in my 84R has 3 curved plates on each side. 1 over each reed. The other cage I have has the reeds but none of the plates. What are they and what do they do? why does one set have have it and the other doesnt?
Anything you can add to this to make a "reed valves for dummies" thread, please put it in, not everyone wants to be as dumb as me!!!

[daputz]

Here is a good page using a case reed induction engine. http://www.southernskies.net/page_info/runningtwostrokeengine.html

Reeds are pretty much used to open and shut the fuel flow to the engine based on the engines possitive and negative pressures (same job as a 4 stroke intake valve). Bad reeds generally can cause hard starting, poor running condition, possibly back firing. The curved plate is a reed stop.........used to prevent the reeds from opening to far (depending on the reeds used, reed cage, some use the stops some don't).

There should be a spec in your manual to tell you the wear limit of the reeds, generally measured by the lift of the reed from the reed cage while at rest.

[350xBomb]

Excellent explaination of a basic 2 stroke. Cleared a few things up for me.