Anyone know anything about getting a four-stroke engine to start?

DainBramaged

Lifer
Jun 19, 2003
23,454
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Here's the deal, we have a go-kart with a Techumsah 6.0 HP four-stroke (I believe) engine that won't start. One of the kids over-filled the oil and that was when the problems began. Since then, I have drained the oil, filled it back up, checked the spark-plug for spark (spark plug is new, btw), and such.

Anyone have *any* ideas?

TIA,

Dain
 

VWhed

Senior member
Jan 23, 2004
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check for spark, if it's there, try a little bit of starting fluid. As long as the oil wasn't so overfilled that it damaged the rings it should run.

Spark, Fuel, Compression, with the three of them it should run
 

DainBramaged

Lifer
Jun 19, 2003
23,454
41
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Originally posted by: VWhed
check for spark, if it's there, try a little bit of starting fluid. As long as the oil wasn't so overfilled that it damaged the rings it should run.

Spark, Fuel, Compression, with the three of them it should run

What rings would those be and how would they get damaged? Also, how would I check for compression?
 

VWhed

Senior member
Jan 23, 2004
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well, you could use a compression gauge, but it would probably be overkill. Does it feel about the same when you pull the starter cord as it did when it ran? Compression is the resistance you feel while pulling the starter, if it feels about the same as it always has it should be fine. While not very likely, overfilling a motor with oil can damage the piston rings, I've never personally seen it however. Did you pull the plug and check for spark?
 

DainBramaged

Lifer
Jun 19, 2003
23,454
41
91
Originally posted by: VWhed
well, you could use a compression gauge, but it would probably be overkill. Does it feel about the same when you pull the starter cord as it did when it ran? Compression is the resistance you feel while pulling the starter, if it feels about the same as it always has it should be fine. While not very likely, overfilling a motor with oil can damage the piston rings, I've never personally seen it however. Did you pull the plug and check for spark?

Yes, we have spark. The only thing that I can think of is fuel. I know that I have gas going to the floater in the carburator. I just don't know if it's getting into the engine.

Thanks again for you help.
 

cardiac

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,082
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81
Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Originally posted by: VWhed
well, you could use a compression gauge, but it would probably be overkill. Does it feel about the same when you pull the starter cord as it did when it ran? Compression is the resistance you feel while pulling the starter, if it feels about the same as it always has it should be fine. While not very likely, overfilling a motor with oil can damage the piston rings, I've never personally seen it however. Did you pull the plug and check for spark?

Yes, we have spark. The only thing that I can think of is fuel. I know that I have gas going to the floater in the carburator. I just don't know if it's getting into the engine.

Thanks again for you help.

Take the air filter off and try squirting something flammable down there, like WD-40, carb cleaner, starting fluid, etc. You can use gas, just be careful. A couple of tablespoonsful will do it.

Bob
 

VWhed

Senior member
Jan 23, 2004
816
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Originally posted by: cardiac
Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Originally posted by: VWhed
well, you could use a compression gauge, but it would probably be overkill. Does it feel about the same when you pull the starter cord as it did when it ran? Compression is the resistance you feel while pulling the starter, if it feels about the same as it always has it should be fine. While not very likely, overfilling a motor with oil can damage the piston rings, I've never personally seen it however. Did you pull the plug and check for spark?

Yes, we have spark. The only thing that I can think of is fuel. I know that I have gas going to the floater in the carburator. I just don't know if it's getting into the engine.

Thanks again for you help.

Take the air filter off and try squirting something flammable down there, like WD-40, carb cleaner, starting fluid, etc. You can use gas, just be careful. A couple of tablespoonsful will do it.

Bob

yeah, try that. it should at least try to start.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,950
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Gentlemen? Damn Dain, your standards are already going in the crapper! ;)
 

cardiac

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,082
14
81
Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Thank you for your assistance, gentlemen.

Sorry to resurrect this, but did you ever get it started? And if so, what was wrong? Just curious.....

Bob
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
While I'm no expert at all I'll toss out ideas...

1) fire
2) fuel AND air
3) compression

The motor will start. Second the idea of spraying carb cleaner into the throttle body and making sure all your linkage is working there. Could be as simple as you fouled the spark plug with the excess of oil that somehow made it's way into the cylinder.
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
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81
This thread scares me. Bring the thing to my house and I will fix it for you.
 

compuwiz1

Admin Emeritus Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
27,112
930
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Pour about a half teaspoon of gas into the spark plug hole, then put the plug back in, and it should start. If it quits, then you have a fuel supply problem, like plugged line, plugged filter, bad carb, etc.
 

KK

Lifer
Jan 2, 2001
15,903
4
81
how old is the gas? Sounds like some type of fuel delivery issue. Does it sputter at all?