The Honda Helix Discussion Board

[woolz123]

I'm new to the Honda Helix and I love it. I bought it at the end June and put a couple hundred miles on it. I have been unable to ride the last three weeks (broken arm). I went to start it this evening and it would not start. It cranks over fine, it acts as if it is not getting gas and/or spark. I'm looking for suggestions on where to start troubleshooting either of these problems. i'm also looking for anything obvious I may have missed. The kill switch is on run and the parking brake in on, it is on the center stand and the side stand is up. I would appreciate any suggestions. I love riding this scooter and I'm ready to be in the wind. Thanks Jeff

[alexkram]

Sometimes if you let it sit a while the carb float bowl can evaporate and it takes some cranking to get it filled. One thing you can do to help it along is disconnect a vacuum tube that runs into the manifold, spray some carb cleaner or ether in there, then put it back. That is enough fuel to get the engine running usually. My '86 used to do that whenever it sat for more than a week or two.

[bear]

Unfortunately I had an accident with my bike when I first got it, 115 miles on the odot. The bike sat for 3 weeks and I started up in the garage. Then it sat for about 5 weeks before I could ride again (broken foot). It wouldn't start. It would turn over fine, but would not fire.

Since it hadn't even been checked out since the accident, I had my local dealer pick it up give me an estimate for repairs, and of course get it running again.

They told me that the gas had gone bad WTF! Only minutes before the accident I had just filled the tank. So the gas was now only 8 weeks old! They insisted that the fuel had gone bad and clogged the carb.

My uneducated (non mechanic) opinion is that I bought this 06 bike new in winter of 08. I bet the fuel had been sitting in that tank for a long time when I bought it. And that's what really happened.

But hay this was about you Point of this whole story is, could your carb be gummed up? While I don't entirely believe what my local dealer said, I do make a point of always using Stabil for storage, and every couple of tank fulls I run Sea Foam through the tank. I haven't had a lick of trouble since. But I suppose that is really proof of anything.

Good luck,
_________________
Bear
2006 Helix

[Don Leonardo]

Please don't think I'm thinking you're stupid for suggesting this but is the kill switch shut off?? Only reason I ask is this happened to me, I never use the kill switch, when someone else hit it off after a ride. It took a few minutes for me to switch it back on.

Dead battery??
_________________
2008 Stella & 2004 Helix

[whitefusion]

Hi Jeff, I know you said the side stand was up but have you checked the cut-out switch? If that's got gummed up or the connectors have corroded it will have the effect you describe.

Unplug the wiring block to the switch from the loom and short the two connectors together. If the bike will now start then that indicates there is a problem with the switch. You might also want to check the rear brake cut-out switch in the same way.

[fixer311]

How old is your Helix. The old ones have rust in the gas tanks if they haven't been maintained with Sea Foam during the winter as well as full gas tanks. Have you shown a small flashlight into the tank to see what is in there. Reggie on this forum brought his bike over this last weekend and we replaced his fuel filter which was intermitently causing it to stall. After a brief stop it would start again like normal only to run for a few miles before doing it again. We replaced it as well as his tires and he is very happy with it's performance. That is the first thing I would check if is cranking and not starting.
fixer311

[woolz123]

In fooling with my scooter to get it to start, I have determined that I have fuel coming to the carb. (Plenty of gas from the fuel line going to the carburator when I crank it over) I tried the suggestion about spraying starter fluid into the intake manifold, it would run for about 2 seconds and that was all. I have come to conclusion that the carb jets must be clogged. I looking for any suggestions on how I can clean them. Thanks
Jeff

[Sam]

I have had the same problem that you describe with my 87 model but I have figured out that its not a problem with fuel to the carb. Rather its a problem with the automatic fuel enrichment valve or auto choke. The way I get mine started is I open the throttle all the way and crank it over. This will pull a little fuel into the engine and when you put it back to idle it will usually hit a few times. I have to feather the throttle to keep it running. If it quits I repeat this process until it keeps running at idle. Let it run for about a minute and it will then go ahead and pick up speed. The carb is just dry and until its actually running it won't pull fuel through the main jet and no fuel is going through the idle jets because its supposed to be running on the enrichment valve. The real fix is to replace the valve, but this should get it started. If you crank it up every day or two you usually won't have the problem because the carb will still be wet. Good luck. Sam

[zozman]

Here's how you can get it started. Charge battery to full range. Slide airbox away from venturi of carburetor. Get starting fluid in the spray can. Have the wife (or significant other) crank the engine for you. Shoot starting fluid in short bursts into the venturi until the engine starts. Baby it with micro bursts of starting fluid to maintain its running condition. When it stumbles and appears to be on the edge of dying, shoot starting fluid in her again. Stop using starting fluid spray when the engine runs by its self. Replace automatic choke with a new OEM Honda choke. Repeat--use a new OEM Honda choke (16046-KS4-840). Your problem will be over.

Randy Pozzi
_________________
What goes in here?

[fixer311]

You didn't say how old it was. That is very telling in the diagnosis.
fixer311

[Sam]

Be careful with that starting fluid. If you get too much in there or if it backfires, it just might blow the head off or blow the head gasket for sure. It can also bend the valves or knock a hole in the piston. That stuff is pretty hot. WD40 will do the same thing without blowing it up. Sam

[Southpaw]

[fixer311]

I am 56 years old and from the back woods of Minnisota and starting fluid is a way of life when the temperture gets in the -30's and I have never heard of such nonsense. You would think if starting fluid would cause that kind of damage it would happen when metal is so cold it starts to become brittle.
fixer311

[Sam]

Fixer I am 66 years old and a mechanic all my life and what I said can sure happen. But if you want to do it I don't really care. I am just trying to help a newbie keep from making a costly mistake. Sam

[creighta]

Pull your seat off and the carb can be removed very easily. It is right on top of the engine.

Remove it, take it apart on a clean table, and blow it out good with an air gun and some carb cleaner. I know the first time you do this it seems like a daunting task, but it is really a lot easier than you would expect. Also check the rubber neck that the carb fastens too as they crack sometimes and suck air (doubtfully the problem if it runs on ether).

Be sure all the holes in the carb are clear with the air gun and wipe the choke needle down good with clean fingers. I bet things are just a little grimey in there....I would call this an hour or less, but if your new to it expect a couple hours.