My clone runs like crap :(.

[Stumbo]

I recently acquired a never ran lifan clone motor. After getting it assembled and setup, i could not for the life of me get it to run. After many hours, I discovered, if quirt fuel directly through the carb into the engine, fully engage the choke, and open the throttle up I can get the engine to fire and run. However, it runs very poorly. If I put any load on it (like trying to ride) it will die. If I am not giving it throttle, it dies. If I disengage the choke, it dies. If I give it throttle too fast, it dies.

I check the spark, and even disassembled the carb and cleaned it, no change. I also opened the block up again to visually inspect the cam, lifters and cam timing, everything looks good . the only thing that I have not done is check the valve lash, but they didn't seem to be far out of whack when I tested them by feel, not bad enough to make the engine run this horrible, anyways.

This is a completely stock clone, besides the header, air filter, and no governor. Fuel is fresh and clean.

Any ideas? Where do I start? To me it seems to be a fuel issue, considering the above said issues and symptoms.

I've built SBCs, SBFs and several subaru boxer engines from scratch, rebuilt holly and edelbrock carbs, and just recently rebuild a 2004r tranny that I naded. I have a fully forged 6.6L supercharged srt8 charger that I built myself, Yet, it seems that these damn little motors always stump me, I don't get what it is. I just need something with a little bit of power to get the mail and check on my corn!

Any help is greatly appreciated, this little motor has me pulling my hair out.

 

[Motra]

The float bowl might not be venting properly. The gaskets on both sides of the carb need to be installed correctly or it wont vent. On the side towards the engine there's a small hole on the flange, the gasket has a matching hole and there's a channel in the spacer that it lines up with. On the side towards the air filter, there's a hole in the flange slightly above the mounting stud, this also can't be obstructed. What air filter adaptor did you use? If you'd like, I could email you some diagrams.

 

[125ccCrazy]

well not to sound stupid but did you turn the fuel on?? Make sure that you have good fuel flow out of the tank to the carb.... Check for a bad gasket between the carb and engine (air leak).... Check the float heigth and needle valve to make sure the carb is flowing fuel into the bowl.... If all that checks out and still wont run replace the carb with a mikuni which I'd suggest anyways... Another thing to check for safety is the coil and make sure it's tight, if it's a little loose at all it can vibrate loose and drop down on the flywheel and then Bang!!! Not saying the coil is the issue just bringing it up when you do get the eng running..... You could try a new plug also, it's possible it's cracked inside or just plain bad and breaks down under increasing rpms..

Looks like you were typing when I was Motra LOL... Good point on the holes in the carb gasket, I forgot about those..

 

[wolfgang123]

yes after i removed the stock air filter setup i had the fuel vavle turned off and tried about 10 different main jets before i reliazed my problem have the fuel vavle was turned the wrong way. :sadcrying4:

 

[Stumbo]

Unfortunately the gaskets were in correctly, I hoped I put them in wrong. Yes the plastic wire/hose adapter is installed.

The jet is a 89, didn't change how it ran.

I'm going to try the idle jet and see if maybe the kill switch is shorting out, but I am going to do that tomorrow. Im also going to pull the flywheel to see if maybe the key is shredded or somthing messing up the timing.

I'm going to try the idle jet tomorrow see if that helps, but I didn't think the idle jet would cause the engine to die under load at upper RPMs.

Tried the spark plug from another engine, same thing.

I decided to stay indoors today, it was 111 degrees D:.

I'll keep you all updated, hopefully I find a cure soon .

 

[buttgoblin707]

I am having similar issues (including hot summer temp) I replaced my spark plug took engine apart inspected all internals just did simple blow off of carb, I have come to the conclusion either my carbs clogged or the coil is bad, the spark when i pull the cord dont seem too strong and only seems to work good when i pull it fast, tomorrow ill fire up the air compressor and make sure my flywheel key isn't sheared cuz that's the only other thing i think it could be, its too early to get my free engine replacement at harbor freight.

only reason I worked on it at all today is we have a air conditioner in my garage now.

 

[minidragbike]

It's always hard to diagnose a engine problem without actually having the motor in your own hands.

Most likely there is a vacuum leak somewhere. Where? I don't know

The best thing you can since it's still pretty much stock is to take it to a lawn mower shop and have it fixed.

 

[olajoe808]

I recently acquired a never ran lifan clone motor. After getting it assembled and setup, i could not for the life of me get it to run. After many hours, I discovered, if quirt fuel directly through the carb into the engine, fully engage the choke, and open the throttle up I can get the engine to fire and run. However, it runs very poorly. If I put any load on it (like trying to ride) it will die. If I am not giving it throttle, it dies. If I disengage the choke, it dies. If I give it throttle too fast, it dies.

I check the spark, and even disassembled the carb and cleaned it, no change. I also opened the block up again to visually inspect the cam, lifters and cam timing, everything looks good . the only thing that I have not done is check the valve lash, but they didn't seem to be far out of whack when I tested them by feel, not bad enough to make the engine run this horrible, anyways.

This is a completely stock clone, besides the header, air filter, and no governor. Fuel is fresh and clean.

Any ideas? Where do I start? To me it seems to be a fuel issue, considering the above said issues and symptoms.

I've built SBCs, SBFs and several subaru boxer engines from scratch, rebuilt holly and edelbrock carbs, and just recently rebuild a 2004r tranny that I naded. I have a fully forged 6.6L supercharged srt8 charger that I built myself, Yet, it seems that these damn little motors always stump me, I don't get what it is. I just need something with a little bit of power to get the mail and check on my corn!

Any help is greatly appreciated, this little motor has me pulling my hair out.

Geez, I just noticed it's been a month. If you are still having these issues and not having much luck elsewhere send me a message. I'll try to help.