poor compression

[outboard]

My 40+ seems to have poor compression and won't start, well it did with a bit of work. I have a spark but there's something wrong. I can turn the flywheel quite easily with my hand with almost no effort or resistance. Where should I start? New rings or what?
I opened the points a bit, would this have any effect, or is that a stupid question?

Gerard

[Hugz]

I would start her up and let her run for 1/2 an hour or so. May find the bore will become deglazed etc.

[outboard]

Thanks mate, I did what Rick suggested with a little oil through the air inlet. There is some compression, not terrific, but there's a good spark. I notice the spark alternates from various points of the plug, does this indicate anything or just a dirty plug?

I assume 1/2 running in a test tank is ok!

I certainly need to give John some business, the throttle cables are badly worn. However, I heard the sound of two engines yesterday so I'm not far away from completion hopefully. Just one to rebuild.

Now ......how dangerous is an electric start to do??? Will the drill spin or will it fly off. It's a battery powered drill I use. Any words of wisdom will be greatfully recieved.

Gerard

[Hugz]

http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/fo ... f=2&t=1012

[outboard]

Sounds dodgy, I need two arms for my work, maybe just stick to a piece of rope.

Thanks

[RAY SWANN]

Hello.
You need to do a compression test .
borrow or buy a compression tester,or take engine to a local garage and ask to borrow a tester for a few minutes.
If you dont know the compression ,you are just wondering around in the dark.
Or up s*** creek with out an outboard.
Or flying blind.
Or one sandwich short of a donkeys funeral

[Hugz]

have roos in the top paddock....

[RAY SWANN]

We got bats in the loft
What can ya do.

[outboard]

Going to get a compression tester, however I put the drill on the flywheel and gave it a good spin now I don't know if my mind's playing games or if I have a bit more compression. I've got an idea of putting an elastic band on the flywheel nut so the socket just catches, then go for an electric start, and hopefully the socket will dis-engage quickly. Hugz has put the sh--s up me with his experience.

My FPC is starting pretty well, the compression on it is good, just need to give the tank and carb a good clean out. I've read so many times on the forum about cleaning these out so what did I do, cleaned the carb spotlessly then filled the fuel tank (forgot to clean it out), now there's sh.t in the fuel and carb. Lesson learned!!!

[skyetoyman]

Use a cordless drill and whip the socket off as soon as it's going a good speed. A good handfull of small stainless bolts and some diesel in the fuel tank really cleans it well.
A good shaking for 10 to 15 minuted should do the job

[RAY SWANN]

Do not despair.
Tip fuel out of tank into a clean container through a piece of old tee shirt to strain it.
Remove fuel tap from tank and clean filter fitted in fuel tap.
Wait until mother/wife has gone out then run loads of water through tank,keep filling and draining it .
When done fill kettle with boiling water tip into tank,then drain /shake out as much water as you can.
The hot brass tank should dry out due to the heat, but leave over night,if you see any drops of water left in tank mop it out with a cloth on a bit of wire.
This is what we used to do in the k.g.b.Seagull department in the Kremlin.
Except if wife complain,we send her to gulag

[outboard]

Cheers Ray, wife goes out on a Saturday afternoon so when the cat's away!!!