Engine idle then stop

mhenj

mhenj

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2024
Total Posts
28
Total likes
31
Location
Pittsburgh
Hey all
I was out riding, and my engine started to slow to an idle and then stopped. I haven't been able to get it to fire since then. Any place of suspect where I should start troubleshooting? I want to try to narrow it down before I start tearing into things
 
mhenj said:
Hey all
I was out riding, and my engine started to slow to an idle and then stopped. I haven't been able to get it to fire since then. Any place of suspect where I should start troubleshooting? I want to try to narrow it down before I start tearing into things
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Which bike?
 
When you say it slowed to an idle, do you mean under load while riding? Could you tell if it was running on both cylinders as it slowed, or did it feel weak and maybe like one cylinder stopped firing? Any engine blow-by from the breather tube when it stopped? Any mechanical noise accompanying the event?
 
ancientdad said:
When you say it slowed to an idle, do you mean under load while riding? Could you tell if it was running on both cylinders as it slowed, or did it feel weak and maybe like one cylinder stopped firing? Any engine blow-by from the breather tube when it stopped? Any mechanical noise accompanying the event?
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It was while I was riding, It seemed like one cylinder weakened and slowed and the other one followed. No mechanical noise or anything
 
mhenj said:
It was while I was riding, It seemed like one cylinder weakened and slowed and the other one followed. No mechanical noise or anything
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Not saying this is the problem, but how fast and for how long had you ridden when that happened? And how long between times you've checked the engine oil?
 
ancientdad said:
Not saying this is the problem, but how fast and for how long had you ridden when that happened? And how long between times you've checked the engine oil?
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I was not going fast, just going around my neighborhood in first gear. I had only been riding about five minutes before it happened. I hadn't checked the oil in about 2 weeks, but I can check it to be sure the level is correct.
 
mhenj said:
I was not going fast, just going around my neighborhood in first gear. I had only been riding about five minutes before it happened. I hadn't checked the oil in about 2 weeks, but I can check it to be sure the level is correct.
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If neighborhood rides are the biggest load it's under, then it's unlikely that low oil is the cause. These air cooled engines consume a little bit of oil as a way of life, so checking it before every ride of significance is important.

How long since the last full tune-up? If the bike still has points, the rubbing blocks on them wear and the gaps can close up which retards timing and eventually creates loss of spark on one or both cylinders. Checking spark and fuel are the places to start. Open the drain screws on the carbs to see if fuel is flowing into the bowls.
 
I just re synced the carbs and they're tuned well, so it sounds like the points are most likely the culprit (and it has been a while since I've checked them, since before I got the bike running). Thanks as always for the insight !
 
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