at my whits end with my 200x

[RodKnockRacing]

I put a good CDI on it today (Thanks Mike) and still nothing I'm thinking lack of compression. Considering I can kick it sitting down, it feels like some compression because i have to put some leg into it but i don't know. I wish I had a tester, I lapped the new valves but maybe not good enough. The cylinder was honed and I put new rings in it and gaskets. I also was thinking that the pulse generator wasn't aligned correctly and its sparking at the wrong time. I'm just at my whits end with it.

[racer....X]

When you hold your finger over the sparkplug hole and kick it it should blow your finger off.Did you double check your cam timeing marks?

[bigworm626]

Deep breathe RKR. There a solution to everything except death.

[JustEnough]

I have been troubleshooting some pullstart 185 and 200's and may have some suggestions, but first I have some questions. Is it a fat spark every revolution? Have you done a valve adjustment recently?

I have found that the decompression lever makes a great clip to hold the spark plug when checking spark. If it is not a fat spark every revolution, wirebrushing the primary coil and wiring (bullet plug) connections is what fixed the NO SPARK on my 200M.

A valve adjustment will help improve compression. I use a 3 second squirt of starting fluid in the spark plug hole just to confirm combustion, because an engine that has some kind of weakness usually needs a near perfect air/fuel mixture to start. My 200M has VERY little compression and won't start at all unless the choke is off, probably because the carb is set too rich, but once it is started, it runs really well.

[RodKnockRacing]

When you hold your finger over the sparkplug hole and kick it it should blow your finger off.Did you double check your cam timeing marks?

it doesnt really blow my finger off but i can feel strong air

[RodKnockRacing]

I have been troubleshooting some pullstart 185 and 200's and may have some suggestions, but first I have some questions. Is it a fat spark every revolution? Have you done a valve adjustment recently?

I have found that the decompression lever makes a great clip to hold the spark plug when checking spark. If it is not a fat spark every revolution, wirebrushing the primary coil and wiring (bullet plug) connections is what fixed the NO SPARK on my 200M.

A valve adjustment will help improve compression. I use a 3 second squirt of starting fluid in the spark plug hole just to confirm combustion, because an engine that has some kind of weakness usually needs a near perfect air/fuel mixture to start. My 200M has VERY little compression and won't start at all unless the choke is off, probably because the carb is set too rich, but once it is started, it runs really well.

i checked the valve adjustment and there fine and spark isnt fat but its there

[Dirtcrasher]

RKR - I had one like this, once it ran and was warm you were AOK. But it wouldn't blow your finger off and after I tore it down I found the head gasket was farting out one corner.....

I lap valves too with "Clover" compound or the stuff at your local auto parts store. I usually use my drill and pull up on the stem (taking care not to get it in the guide - I guess it eats them up from what I've heard) but I just do it quick, reverse it and do it again. It's worked for me thus far....

I imagine it depends on how bad the valves and seats are. I'm curious as to anyone who has used the 3 different angled cutters (Shortine?? maybe) because I can't see how it can be done unless it's set up in a mill or you have an incredible eye and can line it all up. I can't image re-cutting the valve seats by hand...... Fortunately lapping has worked for me so far.

You staggered the rings and the bore/piston clearance was good?? If so, it has to be a headgasket or valve issue; I check valve leakage by pouring gas in them making sure it doesn't leak out.

Your pulse generator should be fine unless it's 180 out. It will kick over fine (won't bend a valve but 120 out will), just sparks at the complete opposite time. I think the 200 engine has a line you line up with the PG back plate to the head and it will run with that lined up.

It should blow your finger off.... IDK if you have "Autozone" but they lend tools out for just a deposit, maybe they have a compression tester? At least you can rule that out if it has good compression. Or pick one up on EBAY, they aren't allot of $$ but make sure it comes with an adapter for your plugs thread size, some fit the larger plugs but not the little guys.....

I'll put my $$ on SHORTLINE for being one of the guys that know this motor VERY well.

[RodKnockRacing]

thanks for the tips Dirt Crasher ill see what i can come up with

[Dirtcrasher]

Your welcome

Someone had a great Topic/post about pressure testing a 4 stroke recently. You'd need to make some fittings up for the intake and a plug for the exhaust - The exhaust would be the easy one, either a flat plate with a gasket or an old headpipe you could pinch off and braise shut or something. Creativity always helps!

Anyhow, in that post they talked about the pressurized air coming out the dipstick - bad rings or piston wall clearance, air out the head - bad head gasket and a soapy mix/bubbles would show that and they talked about figuring out which valve was leaking this way too.... I imagine if you pressurize it TOO much then the valves may seat themselves a bit better and not show you whats up.

There was allot of good stuff in that Topic, hopefully someone can post up the link!

[Texas 200x]

With new valves, rings, and a hone job you should be good on compression. It should definetely blow you finger off. Make sure you timing marks on the flywheel and the cam are dead on. Does it even try to fire or nothing at all. Did you try ether?

[RodKnockRacing]

It doesn't even try to fire I've checked the timing and it looks all lined up. I just cant seem to figure it out I'm gonna have to buy a compression tester so i can be completely sure of the compression.

[RodKnockRacing]

Your welcome

Someone had a great Topic/post about pressure testing a 4 stroke recently. You'd need to make some fittings up for the intake and a plug for the exhaust - The exhaust would be the easy one, either a flat plate with a gasket or an old headpipe you could pinch off and braise shut or something. Creativity always helps!

Anyhow, in that post they talked about the pressurized air coming out the dipstick - bad rings or piston wall clearance, air out the head - bad head gasket and a soapy mix/bubbles would show that and they talked about figuring out which valve was leaking this way too.... I imagine if you pressurize it TOO much then the valves may seat themselves a bit better and not show you whats up.

There was allot of good stuff in that Topic, hopefully someone can post up the link!

I put soapy water around the head gasket and I didn't see any air bubbles.

[harryredtrike]

did you put the little pin back in for the pulser in the cdi cover plate?

[oldskool83]

or the seal? if you put the CDI on with the deal it will hang up on the bring and cause a massis air leak which can fill up with oil too.

[RodKnockRacing]

the seal is new