Honda CD200 Benly... Doesnt Start Well...

Hi, I have an '82 CD200 Benly. It has, until about a year ago, always
been reliable and started well. However, recently, although it hasnt
been used very much, every time its started it doesnt start well. It
smokes alot more than it did, oil is coming out of the left hand
exhaust where the downpipe joins the silencer, and the left hand
cylinder doesnt enjoy firing. Also, sometimes it barely starts at all.

Ive cleaned the carburettor (jets etc.), set timing, set valves, air
filter is fine, has a nice fat spark, and the fuel flows well.

Any ideas?

Cheers, Owen.

 

Smoking? Not firing on one side? Check compression and get ready to

Or, just add some solvent (such as Sea Foam) to the oil to unstick the gummy
rings and restore compression.

 

Damn. I just went and did a compression check on each cylinder, and
the left hand was reading 50ish, the left hand about 70ish. What next?
I realise these are quite low readings...

Thanks, Owen.

 

Err... I forgot to add that the oil is creamy... suggesting water
getting in... Could this actually be petrol?

 

[low compression readings and possible interpretations snipped]

Does it smell like petrol? That's usually the easiest way to tell if
you've got gas in the oil.

 

Yes, it has been outside; albeit under cover, however water could
easily get in I'm sure.

I went to start it today and it started first kick! It still smokes a
bit too much out of the left hand cylinder, however the right side is
fine. It seemed to improve slightly as I left it running (approx. 10
minutes) but when I piled on the revvs it went a bit smokey still.

I will endeavour to do a complete compression check.

I have set the valve clearances, and also the valve timing.

Thanks, Owen.

 

Its a little off base but have you checked the carbs float bowls? I know the
engine layout is (very!) different but I've had loads of problems with my
BMW R80/7. It lives outside undercover and if it hasn't been started for a
while it used to be a complete pig to start, firing on only one cylinder,
loads of smoke then chiming in with the second cylinder. The carbs are out
in the breeze, although under the cover and I discovered that water was
getting into the float bowl. As the petrol floats on the water, it was
sucking water through the one carb, hence the smoke. I pull the bowls off
(at least an easy job!) everytime before starting after it has been standing
for a while now.

Steve H