"Low Power SS440, need some help"

So no matter what you do with the plug wires, its always the pto side??? Crank seal, head, base or intake gasket leak.
 

Crank seals...?

I'll double check that and confirm tonight. What I recall is that running on the original configuration, unplugging the PTO cyl had no change and unplugging the FAN cyl engine died immediately. When I swapped wires, the engine would run with either plug disconnected, but the weak spark seemed to follow the plug wire to the PTO cyl. Strong spark was now on the FAN cyl.
Isn't the spark strength a function of the coil/wires/plug caps (which have all been replaced)? There is just one signal wire (orange) going into the coil and both cyl fire at the same time so the signal wire just tells the coil when to "fire"

I also came across this regarding vacuum/pressure testing a two stroke. I'll probably try something like this to see what I can find out. It helps that I have my intake off too so I'd be isolating the cyl and can work my way backwards as I assemble.

View attachment Vacuum Tester Instructions.pdf
 
caravanman said:
Any updates?
Click to expand...

Hey there, nothing to report as of yet. With the lame snow we got this season and other stuff coming up, I put this on the back burner for a little while.

Currently need to reinstall the reed cages and perform the leak down test.


C. Zeilenga
 
Cool, that looks handy. I was just going to try and adapt my mityvac, but that would probably be simpler.


C. Zeilenga
 
Need some help

Hi All, I'm getting the SS440 back together. Taking another stab at solving issue.

Is there any sealant recommended for the gaskets used with intake-reed cages and the reed cages-cyl?

I picked up a new choke cable and plunger, how do I set it

C. Zeilenga
 
Just throwing this out there...have you tried running the sled without the exhaust? Running it without the belt on? Any change? Also with these older sleds they like running without the resistor caps...try it out let us know!

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I just read some of this post ,,,, the pto side seems dead but when you put its plug wire on mag side it will run it,, and if you
take either wire off the mag side it quits ... did I read correctly ?
So only the mag side will run ...
Any blockage in pto side exhaust ?? rag ? mouse nest etc... cant blow , wont draw..
Add a ground wire from a shiny spot on head to a shiny spot on other head .... maybe the worst oxidation of steel and almn ever and no ground ,,, hard to imagine ,,BUT.
Does this sled have auto lube pump and gear driven back to pump ?? My 540 block has a big plug you can remove over
the pump gear and you can shoot starting aid in there to check PTO seal ??
....good luck
Ron
 
Dallas4Stoke said:
Just throwing this out there...have you tried running the sled without the exhaust? Running it without the belt on? Any change? Also with these older sleds they like running without the resistor caps...try it out let us know!

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Click to expand...

I think the main part of my problem is I'm having a hard time distinguishing the poor performance unless I'm actually riding it. If I get the skid up in the air it will rev up >30mph, but when I sit on it and apply a load that's when I noticed the problem of being speed limited to ~30mph. I haven't run without exhaust but and it's been a while since I ran without belt. I'll try both once I get the engine reassembled and running.

RON HYDRAULIC YAM ​
I just read some of this post ,,,, the pto side seems dead but when you put its plug wire on mag side it will run it,, and if you
take either wire off the mag side it quits ... did I read correctly ?
So only the mag side will run ...
Any blockage in pto side exhaust ?? rag ? mouse nest etc... cant blow , wont draw..
Add a ground wire from a shiny spot on head to a shiny spot on other head .... maybe the worst oxidation of steel and almn ever and no ground ,,, hard to imagine ,,BUT.
Does this sled have auto lube pump and gear driven back to pump ?? My 540 block has a big plug you can remove over
the pump gear and you can shoot starting aid in there to check PTO seal ??
....good luck
Ron​
Yea, I can run sled on only the mag side, and cannot run on only the PTO side even with the wires swapped. I'll add pulling the exhaust manifold off to the list to be sure. I didn't find anything when I removed the reeds, so possibly on the other side.
The sled does have the autolube pump and the black plastic cover is there. I think my initial issue with this was actually reaching the seal with starting fluid, although I can take another look at it.

Hoping to spend some time in OCT on it and get it sorted out, just wish I had a way to actually test it. :letitsnow
 
It would still run with a bad seal but he would not get to far..aka lean. So compression check, spark check, fuel...maybe it is overfueling eather the choke cable is not adjusted right...measure both from the bottom of the plunger to the threads...same on both sides? Did you check the float bowl needle tip?

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Dallas4Stoke said:
It would still run with a bad seal but he would not get to far..aka lean. So compression check, spark check, fuel...maybe it is overfueling eather the choke cable is not adjusted right...measure both from the bottom of the plunger to the threads...same on both sides? Did you check the float bowl needle tip?

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Its a single carb, single pipe sled and runs only on the mag side cylinder. He ruled out ignition. Its an air leak (crank seal, head, base, or intake gasket) or damaged cylinder period.
I believe the fuel pump runs off of the mag side, but if it runs off the pto its worth taking a look at as Bob suggested.
 
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Sorry my bad thought those were dual carb...I will go to the corner now, lol. Must be a huge air leak...but funny he can't see it.

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Looks like an 83 has the extra pto seal and the small cover on side of the pump... There should be a proper seal on the crank
and the visible seals just should keep dirt off the gear drive to pump. I forget if you can just pry out
the odd shaped pump cover ,,, and blow your either in there.
I bought my VK540 used and the plug was missing from sled .. a few years later I decided to check up on an idling issue... Found all
the pto piston skirts packed in ports, 3/16" groove from wandering pin in cylinder, crank brgs full of almn , most of pto seal
was missing. ... seem to run fine compared to my 433's and was using to pull a ski setter ,,,,
Runs much better after rebuilding an SR540 engine and adapting it in...
..
Hope not that bad .... as it ran above idle and mid range on both sides but sure wouldn't run near idle on that side.
Tough old engine ,,, no wonder they are back for 2017
Ron
 
Dallas4Stoke said:
Sorry my bad thought those were dual carb...I will go to the corner now, lol. Must be a huge air leak...but funny he can't see it.

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Click to expand...

The pto seal is behind the oil pump gear housing and gear. You need to take the oil pump gear case off to see it.
 
Never did see a year ... newer ones have the indirect pump with extra side cover and should be able to pull oil plug end
and shoot some either .... older ones can see the seal as well...
You have us all wishing we could be there and help you hunt...
Any sign of rodent such as seeds, nut , pine cone when you were working on
the air silencer ??? first cyl to draw could have stuffed them in the ports out of sight ???
Still have compression but not draw fresh fuel ...
Should be a solvable puzzle ?
Ron
 
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