Brand New Lifan Won't Start...What Am I Doing Wrong?

I

illuminance

New Member
After literally years of alternating between ignoring the project and working on it feverishly, time has finally arrived to get my CT70 project running. It has a brand new Lifan 125 motor. But, after trying for 30 minutes to get it to start, it won't run, or even catch and stumble. My legs are tired after the fruitless kick starting exercise. No doubt there is compression. I will try again this weekend. Maybe I am doing something wrong? The key is in the ON position. I tested for spark and there is spark at the plug. Tried with the choke both closed and open. I squirted some starting fluid both down the intake manifold and even a squirt in the plug hole. Nothing. I do not think the float bowl is full...but figured the starting fluid would get it going enough to have the vacuum pull in enough fuel. Is there a trick to starting these little motors the first time? :confused::confused::confused:
 
6

69ST

Well-Known Member
A new motor should fire easily. You're right about trying a few drops of fuel through the spark plug hole...that should do as you expect. With compression, spark & fuel, this thing should fire right up. IDK, maybe try push-starting. If that doesn't work, then cam or ignition timing are the only other possibilities that come to mind.
 
kirrbby

kirrbby

Well-Known Member
Starting fluid dissipates a lot quicker than gasoline. I'd put gas in the spark plug hole...put it into 4th gear, key on, then start pushing it around in circles walking along side...push start. You could check the spark plug gap...also try a different spark plug.
 
I

illuminance

New Member
OK, the problem was...ME. I had tested for spark, and it was good. Then I put in the fuel tank and it was not even coming close to starting. I checked for spark again and there was no spark. What happened was this: When I put the fuel tank in, it caught on the coil wires to the harness and disconnected them. I reconnected and put the tank back in. Checked for spark...good. It runs, stumbles, and dies, but at least I am closer to victory. Thank you guys.
 
6

69ST

Well-Known Member
That's part of the learning process, too. Like I say, the problems are usually fairly simple, the diagnoses...sometimes not so much.
 
G

Goob

Member
When I couldn't get my YX150 engined pit bike to start and again with a Lifan 125 that I put in a CT90, I found that I needed to change the Pilot Jet out (larger or smaller depends on if it is an air side jet (larger = more air) or engine side jet (larger = more fuel). First try turning the pilot screw out pretty far...farther than the 2.5 turns or so that is usually the max. I managed to get the pit started at 3.5 turns out....so I knew I needed a larger pilot.
 
Top