200X: Hard starting

[Glenn J]

My 1985 200X is tough to start. I've rebuilt the carb and adjusted valves a few times. Neither of those really helped. I swapped over a spare coil and CDI I had...no dice. Last night, I check the resistance on the exciter coil and the pulse generator. Both read fine....so good infact, it was like I was touching the two leads of the multimeter togehter. I checked the resistance on both coils I have and they checked out fine. The sparkplug is gapped correctly.

I really don't know what to do now. Any ideas?

[chris200x]

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/s...ght=200x+spark

There are many threads about this particular subject on the boards. Do a search... If you don't find what your looking for just ask!

[Glenn J]

Thanks. I've done a few searches and tried just about everything. I'm not sure what to test/adjust next.

[chris200x]

Well if it makes you feel any better I'm in the same boat as you!

[Glenn J]

Well if it makes you feel any better I'm in the same boat as you!

LOL! I'm glad I'm not the only one.

[TeamGeek6]

Fouled plug, too lean on idle or bad wiring in the ignition system (the most likely). I had this exact problem (had to kick my leg off) until I found a loose terminal on the CDI plug. Since I fixed the wiring it starts in 1/2 kick on a good day.

[Glenn J]

How about too rich when idling? This thing idles really low when it does start and does not like to be given any gas for about a minute or so. Once it's up to op temp, it idles a bit high.

[bigredhead]

Glenn.. that sounds to me like normal operation.

[Glenn J]

Well, at least that kinda helps scratch the carb of the list of problems.

[freewheel3]

I'm not familiar with 200x's but I have had similar symptoms with some of my other Hondas. Usually I tracked the problem down to an air leak on the intake system. Either on the intake into the head or believe it or not on a couple of them it was the rubber boots that seal arond the top of the carb where your throttle cable and / or choke cable go in. Mine would idle too slow when cold & too fast when warm. Just an idea.

[Glenn J]

That's good to know. I'm going to check the intake system with some propane and see if there are any leaks.

[TeamGeek6]

That wont work unless the AF mixture is a tad lean, if its already too rich, propane is just more fuel on top of fuel.

[freewheel3]

That wont work unless the AF mixture is a tad lean, if its already too rich, propane is just more fuel on top of fuel.

Yeah but any noticeable difference in the idle while doing this would indicate a leak in the intake system. Ether works better than propane, BTW.

[Troll 2]

My 1985 200X is tough to start. I've rebuilt the carb and adjusted valves a few times. Neither of those really helped. I swapped over a spare coil and CDI I had...no dice. Last night, I check the resistance on the exciter coil and the pulse generator. Both read fine....so good infact, it was like I was touching the two leads of the multimeter togehter. I checked the resistance on both coils I have and they checked out fine. The sparkplug is gapped correctly.

I really don't know what to do now. Any ideas?

Glenn, did your carb kit come with a new slow jet and idle screw? I know alot of kits do, but I've seen so many partially plugged slow jets to trust them.


I see that honda did a service bulletin for hard starting cold on a atc250es that called for a different slow jet. http://www.3wheeler.org/tech/06161-H...STRUCT1_50.jpg and vent hoses http://www.3wheeler.org/tech/06161-H...STRUCT2_50.jpg

I had two 200x's at one time. One had the same problem, boy I ended up just hating that X, because it would'nt fire. I hope you get your fixed. Good luck.
Hey, maybe swap on another carb to test? .................

[Glenn J]

Awesome Troll! I should try the slow jet. I don't think I replaced that...I wasn't sure of the propper way to remove it. I'll give that a shot. And I have a spare carb that I can try as well.