Pull start till you drop.... 200s WONT START!!

[DavidBulzan]

Hi everyone,

i was told incase i ever have problems, to come to you! well, here i am..

I recently, as promised, took apart my shabby old dirty atv, which at the time WORKED. Now it looks beautiful.. I completed my dream theme of matte black, shiny black, and orange. i would appreciate it much more if it was in working condition though..

After putting it back together, letting the gas flow through it, and into the "new" components. It started on the 2nd pull, i was very excited. i let it sit for 4-5 seconds, since i was rushed. and then went back inside. the next day, it would not start. I took the spark plug out, cleaned it, and it cranked, but when i accelerated, and slowly turned the choke off, it cut off. hasnt started since then... I cant imagine what the prbolem might be. Its not electrical, because the system proved itsself after cleaning the spark plug. I believe gas isnt getting where it should be. Any thoughts anyone?

PS- i cleaned the carbourator, including the jets, and i dont believe that is the problem. Thank you!

[freewheel3]

What did the plug look like when you pulled it, wet or dry?

[Wickedfinger]

It could be alot of things. I would make sure it isn't something as simple as your gas cap not venting - but - what it sounds like to me is that you might have an air-leak somewhere and it'll only run with the choke on. Hard starting and running only with the choke on are symptoms, but so is an irratic or racing idle (which you didn't state if you had). The 200 series Hondas are notorious for intake tract leaks.

[DavidBulzan]

i recall the thick tube which connects the intake box to the carbourator didnt fit right, and it might have leaked. i will check for it. Thank you!

[Huffa]

Try draining the float bowl into a perfectly clean jar as it's possible a minute piece of dirt is clogging a jet. Clogged jet = less gas = more choke. Turn petcock on and flush the carb or rather the bowl a few seconds with it on also.

Did you rebuild the carb or at least check the jets?

Wickedfinger has good logic too and like he said an air leak usually causes a high idle.

[DavidBulzan]

whats a float bowl? haha

[freewheel3]

That is the bottom portion of the carb body. There is a small brass screw on the side near the bottom. This is the drain. There will be a little nipple that you can slide a hose on so that the gas doesn't drain all over the engine when you open the screw. You don't need to remove the screw, just loosen it a turn or two.

[blowfishct]

I would check the boat on the carb to the head you said "it does not fit tight" I would put my money on that.

[freewheel3]

Also, if you use a clear (transparent) hose & hold it up beside the carb & open the screw you will know the fuel level inside the float bowl. This tells you whether you need to increase or decrease the level by bending the float tang.

[DavidBulzan]

IT ruuuns!!

This morning i got up and was determined to get it running by night. In 30 minutes i had it on. Here is what i did- not sure which one did the trick.

I took the spark plug and cleaned it miticulously
Drained the gas out of the "float bowl", thank you for the deffinition by the way. and made sure gas was at a steady flow.
FIT AND TIGHTENED THE TUBE which connects the intake to the carb. ( i believe this was it), and turned the choke on.

It stuttered a heck of a lot. Gas was not flowing constantly, so while holding the throttle very constant, it would jump, almost stop, jerk, and not so smoothly accelerate as hoped. After running for a while, it ran GREAT and smooth- unclogged. Then, i turned the choke off.. And it started dying out- acting clogged again. So i gave it more gas and i havent been able to "unclogg" it with the choke off yet. And with choke off, it seems like it doesnt want to go past a certain rpm.. GAS ISNT FLOWING.

My best guess is that the jets are somehow clogged again. Even though, yes, i did take apart my carb, piece by piece, cleaned the jets, carb cleaner, the whole deal... It makes me wish i'd never taken it apart! better is a trusty OLD 3-wheeler than a sparkly piece of metal.

All and every piece of advice is welcome. Thank you

Please, give me some suggestions on what to do.

[freewheel3]

OK, If the only way it will run is with the choke on, it is running too lean.
This is one of 2 things. Either not enough gas or too much air.
Not enough gas = either incorrect float level or something is plugged in the carb or fuel line.
Too much air = an air leak between the carb & the engine.
#1 Pull the fuel line off of the carb & let fuel run into a container. Make sure there is a good steady stream.
#2 Put the line back on the carb & open the float bowl drain, do you still have a constant stream or does it slowly diminish? These 2 steps will tell you if you have good flow into the carb.
#3 Check your connections between the carb & engine. Are they tight & sealed?
#4 If they seem good, then you might have another blockage in the carb. Take it apart & give it a thorough cleaning again.
Also, is your gas fresh or old? Is the tank clean? Any rust, dirt or water in it?
There is a possibility that you have other problems including ignition system or low compression.
Does it feel like there is good compression when you pull the rope?
Have you tried a different spark plug? Is your plug gapped correctly?
Start with the easiest checks / fixes first & go from there.

[freewheel3]

Also, where do you have the idle mixture screw set at? Try 2 turns out & adjust either way from there. That might be all that's wrong.

[DavidBulzan]

All of the above... Haha. Thank you sooo increddibly much. i will get to it first thing in the morning. This is like the enciclopedia of 3-wheelers i never had. .

[trikes4life]

Another advice put a inline fuel filter on it.

[Wickedfinger]

My bet is on air leak ....... but I said that before.