[bcsman]

Had a post going here about working on a carb and decided to start over. I had the carb looked at and all he did was replace the o ring for the float area as it was bad and checking jets which said had some dirt. The carb before was leaking fuel as we assumed the bad o ring was letting in fuel all the time. Well put the carb back in and except for leaking the fuel still it won't run. It tries to fire and does for a second but just goes back to cranking. So this morning I wanted to check the plug so I opened the petcock and tried to start. Same result, didn't matter if choked or not or if I pushed the primer knob. So then pulled out the plug to see if it was dry or wet, it was wet. Hooked the plug wire up, grounded it and cranked and looked to have a nice blue spark. I took the air cleaner cover off and removed the air filter and smelled of fuel. The hose connecting the carb to the air cleaner had fuel sitting in it. Without the air cleaner in I cranked again and when choked it was blowing a white cloud of fuel out the opening. I looked in the opening and can see the butterfly moving with the throttle.

I guess it sounds like a fuel issue if I have spark. I assume if a good spark, then nothing wrong with ignition? If the o ring on the float chamber was bad guess it could have sent little pieces into the rest of the carb. Pretty sure the SE valve is operating ok, the knob goes in and out without forcing. What is my best next measure to try or do? Can I provide any more info to help?

 

[bcsman]

Figured I would go ahead while things are open to pull the fuel tank. I drained a quart or so into a clear container and didn't see any dirt or particles. But now draining it dry and will take a look inside. The petcock does function in the main and reserve positions. But in the closed position it never really shut off, keeps dripping. When drained is it ok to blow some air in the fuel line back into the tank?

 

[shadetree]

try this, grab a can of starting fluid, shoot a SHORT burst into the air filter, if it '' hits '' from this ?, then you have fuel delivery issues. if it does not '' hit '' when doing this ?, then you have a compression issue ?, maybe from timing jumped time ?. have you checked the timing ?. have you checked the compression ?. anytime the plug comes out wet ?, its either because compression is too low ?, or timing is off ?. worse case, fouled plug. I have seen spark plugs fire outside the engine..but not inside the engine !.

 

[bcsman]

Can I do the starting fluid with the tank off? Or do I need the fuel hose connected to the carb? And no I haven't checked compression, gonna have to see if I can find a tester from someone. Also gonna have to consult the service manual to check timing. Well that won't work need it running to check timing. Right now have the tank off trying to get all the fuel out. There is a small amount yet that I can't get to run out the petcock.

 

[shadetree]

Can I do the starting fluid with the tank off? Or do I need the fuel hose connected to the carb? And no I haven't checked compression, gonna have to see if I can find a tester from someone. Also gonna have to consult the service manual to check timing. Well that won't work need it running to check timing. Right now have the tank off trying to get all the fuel out. There is a small amount yet that I can't get to run out the petcock.

noooooooooooo..you dont need the motor running to check timing, noooooooooo you dont need the fuel tank hooked up to use the starting fluid. yessssssssss you need to read the service manual to see how to do all of this.

 

[bcsman]

One thing I haven't mentioned is I have had a baffle loose at the back of the muffler. I can push it back in but hangs out 4-5 inches. Maybe I have borked the engine up with this??

 

[shadetree]

One thing I haven't mentioned is I have had a baffle loose at the back of the muffler. I can push it back in but hangs out 4-5 inches. Maybe I have borked the engine up with this??

has nothing to do with it.

 

[bcsman]

Don't have any starting fluid handy but have used carb cleaner to prime an engine. I did spray into the air cleaner to carb opening and tried to fire. Have to get a compression tester. And I did look at the service manual and all it says for timing is to run the engine at idle so not sure how to do it when not running. Have to forgive me but not well versed on this but am trying, working out of my comfort zone...

 

[bcsman]

My buddy doesn't have an adapter to fit the plug for compression, so have to wait on that.

Just ordered a Shindy carb rebuild kit and gonna do that as I feel it still may be a carb issue. At least can't hurt to do this.

As far as checking timing all I found in the service manual was ignition timing. Is that what I'm doing? It doesn't give any directions except for with engine running??? Found where is tells how to check valve clearance, is that what I need to do for timing??

 

[Goober]

I think you just need to totally rebuild the carb and perhaps change the starter valve and the primer pump.

Your petcock leaks yes but I think your carb seals are shot and carb is dirty
Yup I wouldn’t do anything else til you rebuild the carb

Btw this is my VE 90E

 

[bcsman]

I think you just need to totally rebuild the carb and perhaps change the starter valve and the primer pump.

Your petcock leaks yes but I think your carb seals are shot and carb is dirty
Yup I wouldn’t do anything else til you rebuild the carb

Btw this is my VE 90E

Yep looks identical to my carb. Thats my plan, tear down and rebuild the carb and see what happens. I have just replaced the primer pump a couple months ago as that also was dripping. I believe the starter valve is working, the choke knob works fairly easy and can see action down by carb like something moving.

 

[LedFTed]

i had a petcock with bad seals. also, the 2000es, fuel tank has a filter inside the tank. not sure about yours. just running some fuel out of the tank, dont mean the tank is not dirty inside.
do you know where your tank, or carb is leaking from? rebuild the carb. goober has got that right. your 98 is old. needs some TLC. i aint got much room to talk, nor lecture. but it is so.

 

[Goober]

I think you just need to totally rebuild the carb and perhaps change the starter valve and the primer pump.

Your petcock leaks yes but I think your carb seals are shot and carb is dirty
Yup I wouldn’t do anything else til you rebuild the carb

Btw this is my VE 90E

Yep looks identical to my carb. Thats my plan, tear down and rebuild the carb and see what happens. I have just replaced the primer pump a couple months ago as that also was dripping. I believe the starter valve is working, the choke knob works fairly easy and can see action down by carb like something moving.

Sometimes when you’re working that choke knob and you can see the cable moving— the valve is stuck — and the only thing moving is the cable

 

[bcsman]

I think you just need to totally rebuild the carb and perhaps change the starter valve and the primer pump.

Your petcock leaks yes but I think your carb seals are shot and carb is dirty
Yup I wouldn’t do anything else til you rebuild the carb

Btw this is my VE 90E

Yep looks identical to my carb. Thats my plan, tear down and rebuild the carb and see what happens. I have just replaced the primer pump a couple months ago as that also was dripping. I believe the starter valve is working, the choke knob works fairly easy and can see action down by carb like something moving.

Sometimes when you’re working that choke knob and you can see the cable moving– the valve is stuck – and the only thing moving is the cable

Yes you could be right, I don't know any way to see if it is moving than to remove the valve from the cable and manually push in and out. Also if I have the carb soaked and cleaned maybe allow easier movement. But if the valve is indeed not moving as it should the carb would be trying to start and run on full choke. In this cold Michigan weather it should fire up for a little and run until choked out I would think.

 

[shadetree]

unscrew the valve from carb, work the choke lever..valve move ?, if it does ?, then I would bet its not sealing while down in the bore ?, in this case, you will need to adjust the cable at the lever on the bars if the clamp is still on the housing ?, sorry..i dont remember if this clip is on these models or not ?..old age ya know !..lol.

 

[bcsman]

unscrew the valve from carb, work the choke lever..valve move ?, if it does ?, then I would bet its not sealing while down in the bore ?, in this case, you will need to adjust the cable at the lever on the bars if the clamp is still on the housing ?, sorry..i dont remember if this clip is on these models or not ?..old age ya know !..lol.

Yes it does move with the lever while removed. Just not sure if it's binding when screwed in. I will try to remove the valve from the cable and see how it works manually. The o ring on it looked good, thinking maybe the shaft it operates in is dirty maybe binding. When I get my Shindy kit I will tear apart and am going to take the carb body to get it soaked well. Should be super cleaned when done and new parts. If it still won't start the compression and/or valve timing is next as @shadetree advised. I can maybe do the timing, but have nothing to check compression with.

Really appreciate all the help here, am learning a bunch, never thought I would tear a carb apart but gonna happen when I get my kit....:wink

 

[bcsman]

Went out and messed with the carb. Put the tank back in and put some fresh fuel in, put a clean plug in, and did take the SE valve apart. Without taking the carb out I really can't do much with it for lack of room but did seem to slide kinda rough. I also took the airbox out and sprayed some carb cleaner directly in the carb and she did fire and run for about 5-6 seconds. That's the most I have had it going since it quit. So hopefully that means it is a fuel/carb issue so waiting on my carb kit.

 

[shadetree]

Went out and messed with the carb. Put the tank back in and put some fresh fuel in, put a clean plug in, and did take the SE valve apart. Without taking the carb out I really can't do much with it for lack of room but did seem to slide kinda rough. I also took the airbox out and sprayed some carb cleaner directly in the carb and she did fire and run for about 5-6 seconds. That's the most I have had it going since it quit. So hopefully that means it is a fuel/carb issue so waiting on my carb kit.

DONT USE CARB CLEANER FOR STARTING !. the carb has rubber parts in it, carb cleaner will melt rubber !. use only starting fluid !. and yes, i'd bet this is a fuel delivery issue.

 

[bcsman]

Went out and messed with the carb. Put the tank back in and put some fresh fuel in, put a clean plug in, and did take the SE valve apart. Without taking the carb out I really can't do much with it for lack of room but did seem to slide kinda rough. I also took the airbox out and sprayed some carb cleaner directly in the carb and she did fire and run for about 5-6 seconds. That's the most I have had it going since it quit. So hopefully that means it is a fuel/carb issue so waiting on my carb kit.

DONT USE CARB CLEANER FOR STARTING !. the carb has rubber parts in it, carb cleaner will melt rubber !. use only starting fluid !. and yes, i'd bet this is a fuel delivery issue.

OK thanks for the info, learning so much, carb now removed waiting for the kit....

 

[shadetree]

Went out and messed with the carb. Put the tank back in and put some fresh fuel in, put a clean plug in, and did take the SE valve apart. Without taking the carb out I really can't do much with it for lack of room but did seem to slide kinda rough. I also took the airbox out and sprayed some carb cleaner directly in the carb and she did fire and run for about 5-6 seconds. That's the most I have had it going since it quit. So hopefully that means it is a fuel/carb issue so waiting on my carb kit.

DONT USE CARB CLEANER FOR STARTING !. the carb has rubber parts in it, carb cleaner will melt rubber !. use only starting fluid !. and yes, i'd bet this is a fuel delivery issue.

OK thanks for the info, learning so much, carb now removed waiting for the kit....

your welcome , keep us posted !.