Old B1600 turns but wont start

[edowns]

Hi
Another puzzle for me but hopefully straightforward for someone.
I have an old B1600. I came to start it after not using it for a week and it just went "clunk". I thought the battery dead. Charged it and the same again.
If I pull out the decompressor it turn quickly with puffs of smoke coming from the exhaust. When I release the decompressor it just about turns over and occassionally sounds like it may start, but nothing.
I even tried to "bump start" it when it was rolling down a track, but that just stopped it rolling, as though the engine was seized.
Tomorrow I'll check the fuel side but there is plenty in there and it had been running fine.
Thanks for any comments on this.

 

[rentthis]

This could still be a bad battery. If it will crank with decompression doesn't mean that it should crank when not decompressed. You might also check the ground/earth connection where the battery cable connects to the frame. Try removing the battery and having it tested. Bad batteries do some strange things.

 

[RCW]

+1 - Rentthis said exactly what I was thinking.

Just for future reference, if you do try to push or coast start, put it in a high gear. A too-low-gear coast start can cause it to just stop....

 

[edowns]

Thanks both.
I had removed and rechared the battery, which still had 12.5 volts, but will try in the morning with a larger full battery (right now I am back inside and warming up !)

 

[RCW]

Thanks both.
I had removed and rechared the battery, which still had 12.5 volts, but will try in the morning with a larger full battery (right now I am back inside and warming up !)

While voltage is a good measure, sometimes the battery simply cannot deliver the amperage to turn things. A load test is the only way to know.

Also, like rentthis said, check connections, especially the ground (earth). That can cause similar issues even though the battery is good.

 

[bucktail]

It's not hydrolocked is it?

 

[SidecarFlip]

It's not hydrolocked is it?

He said it turns over with the decomp pulled. If locked, it would not turn over. I bet corroded connections probably the negative side at the frame point.

 

[edowns]

Thank you , thank you. thank you.
I've just removed, cleaned and reconnected the earth and it started, at first with an extra battery on leads, then with just it's own battery.
I had thoughts of major work being required that would be way beyond my skill level and so finding a solution that even I could handle is great.
However this does mean I will soon be out in the rain taking hay to sheep on top of a hill instead of insisting they come down to me.


Also ....it is also wonderful to have a forum where posts do not decend into insults and egos. Excellent.

Again, thanks.

 

[RCW]

Thanks for coming back to report your outcome.

Will help someone else in the future!