Classic Inlines - Trouble Shooting Guide

Engine will not start while cranking - no spark to plugs.
a)	Dirty or corroded points.	clean or replace the points, and adjust per specifications.
b)	Moisture on the coil wires, inside the distributor cap, or on the points.	dry out the ignition system, including the points and cap.
c)	Faulty coil, capacitor, or wires.	test and replace the coil, capacitor, or wires as required.
d)	Worn or damaged distributor gear.	remove distributor and check gear on bottom of shaft, replace as required.
Engine will not start while cranking - spark present at plugs.
a)	Incorrect spark plug gap.	clean spark plugs and reset plug gap.
b)	Incorrect ignition timing.	check timing and reset - make sure timing mark is correct (old balancer may slip).
Engine will not start while cranking - spark present - no fuel.
a)	Faulty fuel pump or plugged fuel filter.	test fuel pressure and replace fuel pump or filter as required.
b)	Fuel vapor lock.	check for source of vapor lock and insulate against heat source.
Engine will not start while cranking - spark and fuel present.
a)	Carburetor is flooding.	check and clean the needle and float assembly, clean carburetor and adjust.
b)	Dirt or water inside the carburetor and/or fuel system.	clean out the carburetor and fuel system, including the fuel filter.
c)	Worn or faulty timing chain.	remove timing chain cover and check for excessive slack in chain.
d)	Outer balancer ring has slipped.	replace balancer and set timing as per specifications.
Engine will not start - weak, erratic, or no cranking speed.
a)	Weak or faulty battery	recharge or replace battery
b)	Loose, corroded, or faulty battery wires and/or terminals.	test and replace wires, clean and tighten terminals as required.
c)	Faulty solenoid or starter lead.	test and replace solenoid or wire as required.
d)	Worn or faulty starter.	test and replace starter as required.
Engine stalls at idle or normal cruise rpm.
a)	Idle speed set to low.	readjust idle speed stop screw.
b)	Idle mixture too lean or rich.	readjust idle mixture screw and adjust idle speed stop screw.
c)	Carburetor flooding or float level incorrectly set.	check needle valve and seat and /or reset float level.
d)	Faulty coil or capacitor.	test and replace the coil and/or capacitor as required.
e)	Valve clearance or lash out of adjustment.	adjust valve clearance or lash.
f)	Air leak at intake manifold or carb flange.	tighten bolts and nuts or replace gaskets as required.
Engine misses at idle speed.
a)	Dirty, defective or incorrectly set spark plug gaps.	clean or replace spark plugs and gap as per specifications.
b)	Burned or pitted distributor points .	clean, file, or replace points and reset gap as per specifications.
c)	Loose or broken wires in ignition system.	tighten screws or lead ends, and/or replace as required.
d)	Idle mixture screw out of adjustment.	readjust idle mixture screw.
e)	Burned or cracked distributor cap and/or rotor.	replace cap and/or rotor as required.
f)	Moisture on distributor wires, lead ends, cap, or spark plugs.	dry out wires, cap, plugs, and inspect for cracks, wear, and damage.
g)	Weak or faulty battery and/or corroded terminals.	recharge or replace battery, clean and tighten terminals.
h)	Carburetor flooding or incorrect float level setting.	check needle valve and seat and /or reset float level.
i)	Faulty coil or capacitor.	test and replace the coil and/or capacitor as required.
j)	Excessive wear in distributor shaft and bushings or contact breaker cam.	rebuild or replace the distributor, or upgrade to an aftermarket distributor.
k)	Burned, warped or pitted valves	rebuild the cylinder head and replace the valves, or upgrade to oversized valves.
Engine misses on acceleration.
a)	Incorrect ignition timing.	check timing and reset - make sure timing mark is correct (old balancer may slip).
b)	Points dirty or improperly gapped.	clean or replace, and adjust gap as per specifications.
c)	Faulty coil or capacitor.	test and replace the coil and/or capacitor as required.
d)	Spark plugs dirty, faulty, or gap set to wide.	clean or replace, and adjust gap as per specifications.
e)	Dirt or water in carburetor and/or fuel filter.	clean carb and fuel filter, and adjust carb as required.
f)	Carburetor accelerator pump discharge jet blocked or defective pump.	clean carb and fuel filter, replace pump, and adjust carb as required.
g)	Burned, warped, or pitted valves.	carry out top end overhaul (valve job).
Engine misses at high speed.
a)	Incorrect ignition timing.	check timing and reset - make sure timing mark is correct (old balancer may slip).
b)	Points dirty or improperly gapped.	clean or replace, and adjust gap as per specifications.
c)	Faulty coil or capacitor.	test and replace the coil and/or capacitor as required.
d)	Burned or cracked rotor.	replace with new rotor.
e)	Spark plugs dirty, faulty, or gap set to wide.	clean or replace, and adjust gap as per specifications.
f)	Dirt or water in carburetor and/or fuel filter.	clean carb and filter, and adjust carb if required.
g)	Dirt in carburetor power jet.	clean carb and filter, and adjust carb if required.
h)	Excessive wear in distributor shaft or cam.	replace faulty components as required.
Engine lacks power.
a)	Incorrect ignition timing.	check timing and reset - make sure timing mark is correct (old balancer may slip).
b)	Faulty coil or capacitor.	test and replace the coil and/or capacitor as required.
c)	Burned or cracked rotor.	replace with new rotor.
d)	Spark plugs dirty, faulty, or incorrect plug gap.	clean or replace, and adjust gap as per specifications.
e)	Faulty distributor advance mechanisms.	check for vacuum leaks, worn or sticky springs, clean or replace parts as needed.
f)	Excessive wear in distributor shaft or cam.	replace faulty components as required.
g)	Dirt or water in carburetor and/or fuel filter.	clean carb and filter, and adjust carb if required.
h)	Improper carburetor float level.	check carburetor float level and reset as per specifications..
i)	Faulty fuel pump - low pressure	test fuel pump pressure and replace as required.
j)	Burned, warped, or pitted valves.	carry out top end overhaul (valve job).
k)	Improper valve clearance or lash adjustment.	check valve clearance or lash and readjust as per specifications.
l)	Incorrect valve timing.	check timing chain slack and replace if required.
m)	Restricted muffler or exhaust system.	check system and replace damaged or faulty parts as required.
n)	Blown head gasket.	Carry out top end overhaul and replace head gasket.
o)	Loss of compression.	test for proper compression, carry out engine overhaul if required.
Noisy valve operation or popping.
a)	Improper valve clearance or lash adjustment.	check valve clearance or lash and readjust as per specifications.
b)	Weak or broken valve springs.	test pressures and/or replace springs as required.
c)	Worn valve guides.	Carry out top end overhaul and replace valve guides.
d)	Worn or sticky lifters.	Carry out top end overhaul, clean or replace lifters as required .
Noise from bottom of motor or bearings.
a)	Low oil pressure or supply	check oil level, replace filter, clean pick up screen, test oil pump and relief valve.
b)	Thin or diluted oil	change oil to correct grade, look for water in oil (white foam or substance).
c)	Water in oil	check cooling system, check and replace blown head gasket.
d)	Excessive bearing clearance or spun bearing.	carry out engine overhaul, check and regrind crank journals, replace bearings.
Excessive oil consumption.
a)	Oil leaks	replace gaskets as needed.
b)	Worn valve stem seals	replace seals
c)	Worn valve guides	carry out top end overhaul (valve job)
d)	Worn or broken piston rings, rings to tight, rings stuck in grooves or clogged	replace rings or carry out engine overhaul
e)	Compression rings installed wrong	check and replace
f)	Excessive wear in cylinders and/or pistons and rings	carry out engine overhaul
Drop in oil pressure or low oil pressure.
a)	Low oil level	add oil to full mark
b)	Thin or diluted oil	change oil to correct grade, look for water in oil (white foam or substance).
c)	Clogged oil pick up	clean filter screen
d)	Oil pump relief valve stuck or spring broken	clean pump and valve, replace spring as required
e)	Excessive wear to oil pump	replace oil pump
f)	Leak in oiling system (internal)	inspect and replace faulty parts as required
g)	Excessive bearing clearance	carry out engine overhaul, check and regrind crank journals, replace bearings.