Honda 200s head gasket or something else????

[jkoutdoors]

My trike was running great - had it rebuilt a few years back. Starting first pull, running real strong. I haven't put a lot of hours on it since the rebuild, just a ride once in a while. This summer I was able to get it back in the woods for a few good rides. I noticed that it would start fine and idle good, but after it warmed up, it would be hard to start, and once it cooled off would start up again but did not want to idle once warm. Then I was a few miles out from the property, waiting for my partner to catch up, it stalled out. The only way to start it was push start, and it did not want to stay running - started sounding like I was running without an exhaust. After reading up a little and talking to some friends, I figured likely suspect was head gasket. I checked the compression and basically had none. When I started to take out motor, I seen right away that one of the head bolt acorn nuts was missing. I put a new one on and rechecked the compression -- went up to 60 PSI. I took head off, replaced all gaskets, adjusted the valves, and the timing. I did notice some blow-by on the head gasket, but not as bad as I expected from the noise it was making. I am having a little trouble rechecking compression with the motor on the bench. I will try again this weekend, but it seems to have a lot of compression just based on feel.

My question is: Is it possible that I could have another issue - like a cracked valve spring? I am not very experienced with working on motors. When I had the head off, just looking at it, everything seemed okay. I checked cam dimensions and everything was within specification. But I did not take apart the valves and do a thorough check on the valves, spring or rocker arms.

Should I take it the head off again and have this looked at before putting motor back in bike or is the head gasket the likely culprit? Probably not an issue in summer, but the garage has been about 15 degrees that last few weeks and I am not looking forward to more time with the cold metal.

[trike savior]

easiest test is to remove schrader valve from compression tester hose (like valve in tire) and hook air hose from compressor to it. either use a breaker bar to hold crank at tdc (ratchet wont work it will kick opposite way of locked) or remove cam gear bolts to cam but you will have to re time it because when air hits it will kick piston to bdc. either way idea is to do this with valves closed. the compressed air will make noise in intake or exaust ports if valves are leaking. no matter what you will hear some in crank case from getting by piston.

the other way is with head off turn it upside down and put in a vise to hold it. pour fuel into combustion chamber (spark plug in) until it is filled to the top with both valves completely submerged. it should hold the fuel but if it leaks you look into intake and exaust ports to see which is leaking.

[jkoutdoors]

thanks for advice