lt 500 smoking bad..only push starts

[kinderatv]

Hi, i recently blew a head gasket on my 87 suzuki lt500 and some coolant got into the cylinder on top of the piston...i replaced the head gasket and put it back together..when i try to kick start it, it just kicks back hard....the quad will only push start and then smokes really bad.

What is the smoking coming from?
Why does it kick back so much?

could it be from using a different spark plug..i was using a splitfire..now im using a NGK BR8EGV. Does anyone know the gap set it should be...id appreciate any help, thanks

[Joelt250r]

For starters i'd run it for a few then take the plug out and see if theres oil or not built up on the plug maybe your running to rich thats why it starts when u push it or maybe an air leak it could be alot of things :/

[Kane]

My personal experience is to change the base gasket at the same time I change the head gasket. But, yeah, if you're still smoking try running it with a new plug for a few minutes and then read the plug. If it's good, the pipe may be full of coolant. You'll also still smoke for a good hour or so until you burn off the coolant still in the packing of the silencer. If you still have coolant in the crankcase, you'll spit, piss, and kick-back until it's all gone.

[gh500]

be sure to do a crank case pressure test I've seen cases & seals hydraulicked & pushed out from one blowing a head gasket & the lower end filling up with coolant & Lt's are prone to air leaks around the base gasket anyway

[kinderatv]

how do i do a case compression test?

[gh500]

to pressure / vacuum test block off the exhaust (i use a alu plate with pc of rubber for a seal ) & plug the carb boot then pressurize the engine either through a hole in either cap or the spark plug hole (just be sure the piston is down if you use the spark plug hole ) the hose to test it will need a vacuum /pressure gauge & valve to seal it pressurize the crank case to 10 lbs & turn the valve off it should hold it for several minutes w/o loosing pressure if it looses 1lb in 5 min i start looking for a leak repeat with vacuum i try to get 24-30in vacuum & it should hold it for 5 min w/o loosing 2in vacuum
now the bad part on the Lt's with the power valve they can leak to the adjuster or the crank case if it does just take the power valve out & replace all the o rings 1 on the adjuster & 2 on the crank side & repeat the test

[gh500]

here is a good link to read on air leaks http://www.groupk.com/tec-airleak.htm
yea i know it's about skis not quads but a lot of good info for someone learing 2 strokes

[buggyblaster]

check the crank seals as above my buddy bought a bike dirt cheep becouse of hard starts and alot of smoke ,the crank seal was pushed out and sucking gearsaver out of the trans easy fix!!!!