371 Problems

[geomarq]

I have one of these older 70's mini's that's giving me trouble. Last thing i did is replace the carb and it still wont start. It floods easily and wont stay running. I've replaced the fuel tank, the fuel pump and now the carb. It just wouldn't start in the cold weather so I ordered a replacement carb but I'm still not having success.
- it wants to fire, and does but quickly dies, after cranking it a couple times it gets flooded; I remove the plug, try again (varying my choke either closed or mid open). How do I know I don't have a valve problem?

 

[Tazza]

How strong is your spark? Generally you need quite a strong spark to get things started, does it run points? there are a few things that can cause harder starting.
It could simply be flooding because its not firing, you then keep cranking and it keeps pumping more air/fuel in that doesn't burn, is that possible?

 

[Rich M-37]

How strong is your spark? Generally you need quite a strong spark to get things started, does it run points? there are a few things that can cause harder starting.
It could simply be flooding because its not firing, you then keep cranking and it keeps pumping more air/fuel in that doesn't burn, is that possible?

How is your compression?. If it ran before, what changed? Have you checked the timing? How is your fuel, new, or has it been sitting. Is there a winter / summer valve on the intake manifold? Rich M-37

 

[geomarq]

How strong is your spark? Generally you need quite a strong spark to get things started, does it run points? there are a few things that can cause harder starting.
It could simply be flooding because its not firing, you then keep cranking and it keeps pumping more air/fuel in that doesn't burn, is that possible?

It could simply be flooding because its not firing, you then keep cranking and it keeps pumping more air/fuel in that doesn't burn, is that possible?

This is exactly what's happening. what's best to determine the spark quality? Or what would you suggest? Are there electronic conversion kits? (to eliminate the points) or should I leave what's there? The colder weather (and it's not that cold yet) has made the machine very temperamental..

 

[craigb93]

It could simply be flooding because its not firing, you then keep cranking and it keeps pumping more air/fuel in that doesn't burn, is that possible?

This is exactly what's happening. what's best to determine the spark quality? Or what would you suggest? Are there electronic conversion kits? (to eliminate the points) or should I leave what's there? The colder weather (and it's not that cold yet) has made the machine very temperamental..

Have you tried maybe a NEW spark plug? Hard to know if it is good or not. Replace is cheap. Dick

 

[Tazza]

Have you tried maybe a NEW spark plug? Hard to know if it is good or not. Replace is cheap. Dick

I think the quick test for a good spark is to pull the plug and sit it on the engine plugged in. Crank the engine and look at the colour of the spark. Blue is a good spark, orange is not. Thats what i was always told at least.
I don't know what is available to swap the dizy out with to eliminate the points, but i'm sure there would be something. When the points are set correctly and clean, it shouldn't be a real issue anyway.... Even the capacitor could be bad.
Sadly i have no experience with your machine or engine, so i'm just guessing here.