Author Topic: 81 Drifter 340 won't start  (Read 2188 times)

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whitley1983

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81 Drifter 340 won't start
« on: October 20, 2020, 08:50:03 PM »
Just picked up a 1981 Drifter 340, put it in the garage overnight to thaw it out, next morning it started right up second pull. The next day I started it again and decided to run it down the road to see how it ran, got it outside and it didn't idle, died but then I couldn't get it to start again. It has equal compression ~130 on each cylinder, spark looks good on both sides, and it's getting fuel. I pulled the carb off and cleaned it and put it back on with a new set of plugs and nothing, won't even act like it wants to start. Any suggestions?
1980 440 Drifter, 1978 440 Invader

mswyka

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Re: 81 Drifter 340 won't start
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2020, 05:35:27 PM »
Sounds like a spark issue.  Did you try unplugging the wiring harness from the engine and see if the engine would start? 
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

whitley1983

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Re: 81 Drifter 340 won't start
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2020, 07:27:46 PM »
It’s unhooked already, both sides showed good spark when I tested it
1980 440 Drifter, 1978 440 Invader

gixxer6

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Re: 81 Drifter 340 won't start
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2020, 08:51:48 AM »
When were the crank seals last changed? 

whitley1983

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Re: 81 Drifter 340 won't start
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2020, 11:28:13 AM »
No clue, that's on the list of things to do but I really wanted to verify it ran before tearing it all down, even if the crank seals leaked it should at least start?
1980 440 Drifter, 1978 440 Invader

Interceptor398

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Re: 81 Drifter 340 won't start
« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2020, 09:48:38 PM »
I have heard that a 2 cycle will run great just before it melts down.  Getting it to fire will help you to know the ignition system is likely OK.

Boomologist

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Re: 81 Drifter 340 won't start
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2020, 08:32:34 AM »
You have enough compression it should fire.
You have spark.
It ran good then wouldn't idle, then wouldn't start. I'd lean toward a fuel issue. Check any filters. Water in tank? Pull hose off carb and crank it to determine if it's getting fuel.

whitley1983

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Re: 81 Drifter 340 won't start
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2020, 02:15:10 PM »
I added some heet to the tank with some more fuel in case there was any water, I need to take the in-line filter off the fuel line but when I took the carb apart there was fuel down in the bowl and I can see fuel moving through the line from the tank after I put it back together. Not really sure what else to do besides pouring some fuel into the cylinders as a last resort to see if it will at least fire
1980 440 Drifter, 1978 440 Invader

Interceptor398

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Re: 81 Drifter 340 won't start
« Reply #8 on: October 27, 2020, 08:14:18 PM »
A bit of gas down the spark plug hole with fresh plugs.

Checkmarks

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Re: 81 Drifter 340 won't start
« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2020, 07:03:38 PM »
Check your pilot jet is not plugged.  It is.  Sounds like it started, ran and then you went to run outside and nothing. 

Clean the carb and prime before you put it back on.  You'll have 3-4 min time before the float bowl runs out.

If it runs for the three minutes and then dies.  You have a fuel pump problem.  Thats a FPP. 

whitley1983

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Re: 81 Drifter 340 won't start
« Reply #10 on: November 11, 2020, 10:28:05 PM »
I did pull the carb apart and cleaned it really well, including the bowl off the bottom but I didn't pull pilot jet out. Thanks for the tip
1980 440 Drifter, 1978 440 Invader