First time working on a 2 stroke, J8RETB. I got this motor years ago and never messed with it until now.
So far, I can only get it to start by using a drill on the flywheel. It would only run at medium throttle or higher. I soaked and cleaned the carb really well and got it to almost idle, much lower than it was, but it will still die if I let it the throttle all the way down. I ran half a can of seafoam through it while tinkering with the idle adjustment.
After that, I checked compression and got 35 and 45 psi, so not good. The compression gauge is harbor freight, so maybe not reliable, and I checked it after the engine had been running for a while. Don't know if I should check with the engine hot or cold.
My next thought is the head gasket, because it's easier, and then the cylinders and rings. I'm guessing it's hard to start and won't idle because the compression is so low.
I don't know the name of them, but I have these two screws adjusted to try and raise the idle as high as possible.
So far, I can only get it to start by using a drill on the flywheel. It would only run at medium throttle or higher. I soaked and cleaned the carb really well and got it to almost idle, much lower than it was, but it will still die if I let it the throttle all the way down. I ran half a can of seafoam through it while tinkering with the idle adjustment.
After that, I checked compression and got 35 and 45 psi, so not good. The compression gauge is harbor freight, so maybe not reliable, and I checked it after the engine had been running for a while. Don't know if I should check with the engine hot or cold.
My next thought is the head gasket, because it's easier, and then the cylinders and rings. I'm guessing it's hard to start and won't idle because the compression is so low.
I don't know the name of them, but I have these two screws adjusted to try and raise the idle as high as possible.