hard to start crf250

**brandonsdad** · January 17th, 2010

My sons 2007 CRF250 has been getting hard to start, and it failed us completely at Swan today. Novice rider, stock motor,@ 34 hrs on bike, intake valves and cam have been replaced-with stock parts, valve clearances have been checked and look good. Other people have actually kick started it for us in the past, when we couldn't kick it anymore. Against my better judgement, we have even push started it, but it always started after the initial struggle. Drove for 5 hrs. from Tulsa area for Swan today. I started it in the garage last night -had to actually twist the throttle 3 times before kicking-after i had given up hope, and it fired up, so I thought I had figured it out. We actually got it started at Swan this morning, and he shut it off. I told him to start it back up and let it warm up longer. It never fired again. Needless to say, a 16 yr. old racer doesn't take this real well! I pulled the plug and checked for fire, couldn't see a spark, but wasn't sure if this is even a good idea with the ignition on a Honda. (coil part of the spark plug cap) . Tried another plug. No fire. Your advice and ideas are greatly appreciated, from your neighbor to the north.

**ktm300hater** · January 17th, 2010

A CDI spark is very hard to see in the daylight. Honda ignitions are normally trouble free. 99% of the time a hard to start Honda means the intake valves are tight. I know you said they have been checked, but I would almost guarantee they are tight. Im assuming yall ride it quite a bit, so dirty carb issues are probably not a factor. Other things like water in the fuel could happen also.

Here is what I would do in your situation since you sound new to the sport. Find a buddy who has one that starts easy. Kick his over by hand a few times and see how it feels. then do yours. I will bet you find yours feels like it doesnt have any compresson.

Do this and let me know what happens....

**brandonsdad** · January 17th, 2010

Thanks, Hater. I (we) are definately not new to the sport. I would just rather hear others honest opinion and ideas, without me forming an opinion first. I could very well be missing something very simple, so I would rather not come off as a "know-it-all". Because this is our first 4-stroker, I have a lot to learn, so I do a lot of listening. I will check the valves again, because that issue seems to come up quite a bit. I have heard several opinions as far as compression, but would appreciate yours, too. He rides quite a bit. Mostly just races every weekend now, because of darkness/weather. I have drained the float bowl a couple of times during these "battles". I can imagine what your reaction to this will be, but I will respect it: I personally think the stock air filter/air box on this thing sucks (clearance and installing) so I am using a K & N filter, with filter skins. I do take the filter very serious and am very carefull about cleaning and installing. Someone else basically said I was an idiot for using one, but everything always looks spotless inside. Your opinion, please. Who is on your avatar?--Punk Rock Rules!! And what are you doing at my mommas? Thanks

**ktm300hater** · January 17th, 2010

A K&N properly greased and installed is fine...as long as you seal it with the grease. But personally I wouldnt use them, the risk to me isnt worth the reward. My avatar is Dimebag..RIP. And your mom says hi....

Check for spark in your garage, when you can shade the plug from light. If its sparking, has compression, fuel and the valve timing is right it should start.

I forgot ive had Hondas jump time..so check that. Its not enough to make it hit the piston but is enough to make it a bitch to start. If it has jumped time, replace the timing chain and adjuster. Also Pro Circuit makes a different lower chain guide that helps with the jumping time

**brandonsdad** · January 17th, 2010

I will do all that you suggested. When I get it all figured out, I will post back, so hopefully it will help others, too. Thanks a million. Mommy, NOOOOOOO!

**brandonsdad** · January 18th, 2010

Yo, Hater. Got to checking for problems tonight. Got as far as spark-there is none. Is there any way for me to narrow it down. The only choices that I see are the control module and coil. I did the easy things of unplugging the kill switch, swapping spark plugs, and unplugging/plugging the connectors in the wiring harness. Or is it just off to Honda of Tulsa? Thanks in advance. Are you at least feeding my momma? valve clearances are still in spec--+/-.001

**Paw Paw** · January 19th, 2010

Check the pick up coil at the flywheel. My son's bike had one give us fits as the bike would be hard to start and then Ok and then run bad and then run OK.
Also... check for rust inside the flywheel.
Also... check for rusty connections at the coil.
Also... check the coil resistance via the owners manual.

Paw Paw

**ktm300hater** · January 19th, 2010

The pickup coil is probably bad like paw paw said, unfortunately you have to buy the whole stator to get it. You will also need the left crankcase cover gasket. If you dont have a manual to get the resistance readings from, they would probably have them somewhere on thumper talk... as I dont have a manual either

Dude did you really just ask me if I was feeding your momma....I could so answer that and youd wanna hit me...lol

**brandonsdad** · January 19th, 2010

You guys were right. Stopped by Honda of Tulsa to see if they had ignition parts in stock, and Kenny told me to check the stator/flywheel for damage. I had a previous problem of cam wearing through top of lifter bucket.I thought I had found all the pieces, but I was wrong. When the cam rubbed a hole in the lifter, the button on the bottom side that the shim sits on, had popped off and fallen into the case. It got sucked up into the stator/flywheel from the magnets, and destroyed everything. I came in to let you know what had happened, and you guys had already told me basically the same thing!! I am impressed, especially since it was over the internet. Hater, I kinda have a twisted sense of humor, so I will be grinnin' at anything you can say over this forum! I just hope she has the same humor towards me. ("my momma") I appreciate all the advice and ideas fro ya all. I hope that others read this and learn from MY mistakes.