No start! (fun question!)

[vacationer]

I just repaired and cleaned much of my engine (replaced stator/flywheel/pickup, ignition coil, exhaust; removed and cleaned cylinder/head, carb). Now, I can't start it. I would have done these all one at a time, but I didn't have the option for various reasons.

FYI: This particular 2T has separate oil and gas tanks.

A few facts:
- I have spark. Pickup coil is one driver's license width from the reluctor.
- Starter fluid does nothing.
- Exhaust is a "performance exhaust" indicated to be compatible with my scooter.
- I'm using a foam pod air filter.
- My multimeter broke, so I can't verify that my auto-choke is getting power (not sure if this even matters).
- Carb is indeed getting fuel.
- Oil tank is full I put a half-ounce of 10W-30 into the cylinder to ensure good compression.

Of course, I'm able to turn the engine over with both the starter button and the kickstart, but nothing close to an actual start.

I'd also like to ask: If fuel is making it from the carb to the cylinder but there's no ignition, what happens to all that fuel? And the oil, similarly?

Thanks!

[pinkscoot]

Is the plug wet? I would put the stock airbox back on an open filter is a nightmare to tune with. Did you up jet the carb to account for the open filter and exhaust? In a thread I read on here someone with a Keywest had trouble with tuning the stock carb to handle a performance exhaust. Did you replace the ignition with an OEM stator and flywheel for you specific year? I say that because with my TGB I replaced the Stator and used the existing flywheel. I got spark but the timing was wrong so it wouldn't fire. I got the flywheel to match the stator and all was good. Just throwing out ideas. You may need to take a few steps back to find the problem.

[aeroxbud]

Oct 25, 2020 16:38:26 GMT -5 vacationer said:

I
- Oil tank is full I put a half-ounce of 10W-30 into the cylinder to ensure good compression.

Not sure how much half an ounce is. But not a good idea.
Probably fouled the plug

[jloi]

" Not sure how much half an ounce is. But not a good idea.
Probably fouled the plug"

that was my thought also - clean the plug - may have to remove the head and remove some oil. check to see if plug is fouled ?

[vacationer]

Dangit. I got the idea from youtube. I removed the spark plug after trying with the oil, and it was very wet, but I cleaned it and got a spark. Guess I'll take the head off.

pinkscoot, I sorta went rogue here. Went from 4-pole to 8 and cut a new slot in the flywheel for the woodruff key. Timed it best I could to something like 15 degrees from TDC. I guess I should have mentioned that. I'm realizing that might be important. Is the flywheel supposed to be oriented with the pickup coil as well as the stator?

[jloi]

if you search in the directory Brent has a thread or post or at least a video all about timing , where he modified his pickup for his timing etc . . I suppose it's on the YT channel too .

[vacationer]

I can certainly double check my timing against the manual, but I think I'm pretty darn close. Also, looks like my spark gap got pushed in a little bit. Any advice on bending it back up without damaging anything? Also also, gonna check squish clearance while I have the head off because it looked a little generous upon inspection.

[vacationer]

Okay just removed the head and cylinder. Found some black residue (likely oil), some white residue that wasn't there before mods (moisture? all gas in the tank is new), and some bits of gasket maker . Gonna be much more conservative with gasket maker this time around. Otherwise cylinder is now clean.

Checked squish too and actually seems okay. Could stand to lose 1-2mm but easing up on gasket maker should be sufficient to close the gap some.

Also checked the exhaust and it definitely had oil in it. Does this need to be removed? If so, do I have to burn it out like all these YT guys?

[pinkscoot]

vacationer don't beleieve everything you see on Youtube as it pertains to scooters. I have seen some sketchy things that people tell you that you have to do or nothing will work. Brents videos are right on as well as a few others.

[geoffh]

I am with pink scoot,all you need to know is here,just adjust the plug to factory with a screwdriver,ditch the pod filter,check the reed cage is good while it,s out check the crankcase is empty of excessive oil/gas(that's where the unused mixture ends up)check all the passageways inside the carb are clear,make sure the assembly is complete before you try to start it,oil in the exhaust will burn out with use.have fun.

Geoff
PS you did,not mention removing the piston so there,s not a cat in hell,s chance that you refitted it with the arrow facing away from the exhaust port,is there.

[vacationer]

pinkscoot noted. Who else?

geoffh reeds look good. scoot came sans airbox. What do you recommend instead? Yeah, piston has stayed put.

[aeroxbud]

If you can get a standard type air box. They always work better.

[snaker]

Oct 25, 2020 22:46:20 GMT -5 vacationer said:

Dangit. I got the idea from youtube. I removed the spark plug after trying with the oil, and it was very wet, but I cleaned it and got a spark. Guess I'll take the head off.

pinkscoot , I sorta went rogue here. Went from 4-pole to 8 and cut a new slot in the flywheel for the woodruff key. Timed it best I could to something like 15 degrees from TDC. I guess I should have mentioned that. I'm realizing that might be important. Is the flywheel supposed to be oriented with the pickup coil as well as the stator?

What?
Cut new key slot? 
"Timed it"? Exactly what is "it" that's 15 degree's from TDC? And what is "something like"?
If your setup has a pickup that's separate from the stator then there is nothing, zero, to orient between the flywheel and stator. The pickup is ignition timing, generator has no timing.

[vacationer]

aeroxbud think I heard otherwise. probably from youtube oops. doesn't the pod filter allow for more intake?

snaker yeah like I cut a new slot for the woodruff key. "something like" means "without enough forethought" and "it" is the moment the reluctor passes the pickup coil. just wanted to make sure i didn't need to orient the stator. i know sometimes the pickup is coupled with the stator, i just wanted to be sure there wasn't something else i was overlooking

[aeroxbud]

Two stroke scooters hate turbulent air. The amount of people in here have tried pod filters, then gone back to stock with better results is loads.
The only thing I have stuck with the pod filter on was my race build. That was because of the size of the 24mm carb.
It's hard to get them to fuel right all through the rev range. If your only using full throttle it's fine.
Even Brent with a full TPR 86cc is running an air box.
I even have a brand new pod filter still in the packet in my shed. Free to a good home! 😂