Clone hard starting

wooly15

I've seen a few threads about the same issue, but none with any resolution. My lifan clone will not restart unless I choke it about 1/2 way...even if it's only been run a few second before. I have no idea what the problem could be. I've also noticed my fuel pump is leaking gas from the vent hole on the back and I'm not sure if that's related. Do I need to put in a return line? Any ideas?

BGW

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invalidsession

How did you run your gas line Wooly ? Is the pulse line an issue here perhaps ?

Chris.

wooly15

I ran it from the valve cover. I didn't really get a "clean" fit due to the way the baffle was built into it. I did clear the baffle then sealed it real well with JB weld. It seems to be pulling fuel decently while running.

hookm

Wooly,may be a long shot but check valve adjustment.I had the same starting problems & that's the last thing I checked,I set the valves at 0 intake & .02 exhaust,I don't have the choke hooked up & it starts easily.
My pulse is in the valve cover like yours & I'm running a B&S fuel pump.hookm

wooly15

I'll give that a shot. I'm running the same fuel pump.

sho305

If the pump is overflowing the carb try a longer hose. The vent comes out on many of them at the bottom of the spacer. It may do it at a certain rpm, in the intake it pumps more at idle but crank is opposite.

If you mod the intake/exhaust it makes them lean. They will hesitate and surge, even with good jetting this one is not right until it warms up. So, you may have to adjust the idle jet at least. Since this one uses the pedal start it needs to start right away. I ordered a new idle mix screw off ebay in a carb kit and cut a slot in it. Heated with a solder gun and turned it out, put new in. Be careful they break off easy. Then you can richen idle a little, if you need more take the idle jet out the rubber plug on top side of carb its inside that. Enlarge the jet a hair that gives more range to the adjustment. Anyway, then set the idle and mix so it idles good, then turn the mix out a little so its a little rich. It should start good hot maybe not when cold. For the main jet you can choke a little at full throttle to see if it runs better, then its lean. After putting a car airbox and muffler on it I had to hog the main way larger. Its still not ideal at part throttle I think the air jets need to be adjusted now, or carb replaced with a real carb lol. It runs good most of the time at certain mid speeds if you hammer it it lags or it misses a little at about 10mph steady.

1moretoy

I found that out today too. Ditched the factory muffler for a header and replaced the air filter set up with a high flow filter. New 18 lb. valve springs and adjusted the valves and installed a pulse pump using a fitting in the valve cover. Sound like a beast but bogs way down under load at about 1/2 throttle. I think I will have to remove the main jet and drill it out now to even out the fuel mix now that it can breath better.

sho305

Oh yes, you change the airbox and/or muffler it messes it all up. Still trying to get my airbox on so I can jet the beast. It runs ok now but has the stock airbox on it which is small inside like a 1" hole.

Syd Barrett

I finally got mine running ('88 CC......Duro16 swap) & left it as stock as possible to see what I got. So far so good..........got 28mph (gps) on level ground with the 22x11-10 tires. It runs like a champ. I was worried that my belt was too loose (got a 15/16 x 41.9 from Gates) because the clutches were maxed at about half-throttle while running in maint. mode. But once out on the street it seemed to work pretty well........fairly quick start with a smooth, but quick, climb to top speed. I could probably get a little more top end with the 1" x 41" but I don't need it.

But I have the same problem with starting. It starts quick when cold if fully choked but I find that I still have to choke it a little when warm even when I've only stopped for a minute or 2. I have the stock air cleaner on it & will probably leave it just because there isn't much room for anything else, even lifted 4". The cart has the old big push-button choke on it so I couldn't use that.........I just bought a cheap choke cable setup @ Oreillys........only took about 1/2 hr to install (it's not done 100% right but I'll fix that over the winter). It does the trick for now.
Just a note.........I read the tip about not running E10 gas so after I cleaned out the tank I filled up with pure 89 octane. Supposedly the E10 gas has a lean effect on the mixture. Don't know how much its helped but the engine does run well.

sho305

See if it has a plug over the idle jet, its on the side opposite the gas line right next to the stud and intake spacer. If you can turn that out a little it will start better. Mine had a plug with a normal idle screw under it but the last clone had a broken off screw in it I had to heat with a solder iron and cut a slot in to get out. You can buy the replacement on ebay for cheap in the carb kit.