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1985 Spree won't turn over
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 7:18 pm
by simmerdown
Hello all,
My buddy gave me his 1985 Spree because it wouldn't start. Problem is the starter won't turn the engine over.
I have tried multiple batteries (confident it is not the battery) and replaced the starter.
I can take the plug out and it turns the engine over with the starter no prob.
Was wondering if maybe the oil injection is dumping too much oil causing a hydraulic locking condition?
Does anyone know how to determine if I am getting too much oil from the oil injection?
Any other suggestions on why this thing won't turn over?
Any info/advice is appreciated!!
Re: 1985 Spree won't turn over
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 8:12 pm
by kevinv710
if took the plug out its turning, then the plug maybe too long.....still needs to check battery enough power or not, atleast 12.8v or higher.
Re: 1985 Spree won't turn over
Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 6:35 am
by simmerdown
Thank you for the reply kevinv710.
I will check the battery voltage again tonight to confirm.
Do you know what the correct plug is for the 85 Spree?
Overall the Spree is in pretty good shape and really want to get it going again.
Re: 1985 Spree won't turn over
Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 10:45 am
by motormike
simmerdown wrote:
Was wondering if maybe the oil injection is dumping too much oil causing a hydraulic locking condition?
Does anyone know how to determine if I am getting too much oil from the oil injection?
Yes, oil can cause the Hydro-locking you describe.
When sitting for long periods, the oil can continue to bypass the O-ring seals inside the pump
and slowly invade the cylinder and subsequently, the crankcase.
You are likely NOT getting too much oil pumped, but only getting leak-past oil dumped into cylinder.
Checking the oil pump flow is a difficult process to measure accurately.
Most people will put pre-mixed fuel in the tank, run the engine with the oil line removed, and monitor the flow.
If the crankcase has FILLED with oil, one possibility to remove oil is by removing carburetor and reeds, then
inserting a hose through the intake into the crankcase and siphoning out oil with a "turkey baster" or similar squeeze-bulb.
Re: 1985 Spree won't turn over
Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 9:11 pm
by patthesoundguy
Correct plug is BPR7HS. I would pull the plug and see of you get pull spraying out of it turns over at that point. Hopefully someone diddnt put a longer reach plug in it, not sure if an ES longer reach plug would be long enough to jam the piston or not.
Re: 1985 Spree won't turn over
Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 6:35 am
by simmerdown
Thank you for the replies everyone!!!
Battery voltage checked out good, and no visible damage to the plug, assuming no contact.
It definitely drops a lot of oil when it is turning over with the plug removed. It sprays pretty good out of the plug hole.
I will check to see if the crankcase is full. This maybe possible. This Spree sat for quite a long time, but it seems to be a nice little machine.
Thanks again, I'll post if the oil has filled the crankcase this weekend to hopefully close the thread.
Re: 1985 Spree won't turn over
Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 12:22 pm
by jerz40
I had this same problem a month ago with my 85 Spree too. It had been sitting since September, and when I went to start it, it turned over once and hydro-locked. Pulled the plugged and turned it over and oil was coming out like Niagara falls
Needless to say I got it running after cranking it over with my drill, and by using LOTS of rags to absorb all the oil coming out the spark plug hole when I had the plug out. I just pulled the fan cover and fan, and hooked my drill up to the flywheel, that way I wouldn't burn up my starter for turning it over for so long. But yeah it ran perfect after all that.
