Why wont my predator 212 start

Hi everyone! I just took apart my Predator 212cc engine and removed the governor, then put it all back together. Then I replaced the throttle on my mini bike. Now, the engine won't start! I currently have the throttle wire leading to the throttle arm, which I still have connected to the governor arm, which leads to the carb. Whenever I pull the wire to start my engine, I can hear it start up, but it won't start!! If I give it a little throttle while starting it then it starts up, but once I let go of the throttle it dies! So it doesn't even idle anymore! I don't know if I messed up on the throttle component, or if there could be something else. Could too much oil be the cause of this? Because I may have added too much oil.

Anyways, the engine won't start without throttle, and then dies when throttle is cut. Please help!! THANKS!!!

Starving for gas. Choke in use? Throttle stop screw turned all the way out? Did you line up the dots on the cam and crank?

Just throwing stuff out there.

Probably not the oil being overfilled. But you should dump a little out. Unplug the yellow wire that goes into the front of the block to bypass the oil sensor. Check your plug to make sure its not fouled.

First, get you some potted meat in a can and some saltine crackers.....eat some of that.......then put some gas in it. (Slingblade movie)

i don't mean to hijack or derail this thread....... but, if you unplug the yellow wire coming out the front, will this mess with the ignition at all? the motor will still run no troubles???

thank you

The yellow wire is just the low oil sensor. As long as you have oil then you are fine. Just like a Briggs or Tec. It is equivalent to an idiot light on a dashboard nowadays...

The throttle stop screw isn't turned all the way out, so i'll fix that. And what do you mean by check if the plug is fouled?

And of course I have fuel in it!

Take the spark plug out and look at it. Make sure it isnt soaking wet. Make sure your air cleaner isnt full of oil also.

So I swapped the old predator engine on the go kart with a brand new predator 212. The engine started right up and we ran it about an hour and a half yesterday. Today it started up, was driven down the short driveway and turned onto the street... died. Never to start again. Here is what I’ve done: - checked ignition switch - plugged/unplugged oil sensor - placed in choke and run - verified the spark plug is getting spark - verified the spark plug is not wet - no oil in airbox/filter - ensures it’s getting fuel - drained fuel - checked carb float and pin - jets are clear of any debris - replaced fuel with new fuel and Stabil I may have missed something but I don’t know what else it could be. I’m very frustrated because I’m not mechanically inclined and is why I bought the new engine versus trying to fix the old. Cost was another factor.

I really appreciate any guidance and help in advance.

Did someone turn off fuel valve yesterday?

True , change plug or take it back .
Anything more is going to require some mechanical work .

Hold finger in hole , pull string . (Poboy method ) should not be able to hold it .
Using a compression gauge is most accurate

The spark plug hole but if you pull it over with the plug in and feel resistance it's got enough compression to start. Could be a sheared flywheel key but probably clogged carb as was said above.

Additionally poured a Tbsp of oil down spark plug hole to ensure cylinder lubrication

You got a can of ether/starting fluid ? You checked the idle jet ? You change the plug take the one out the old engine .

Your next option is learn the mechanicals . Pull valve cover and see if valves are going up and down .

You will have compression with the valves shut and no pushrods working the valves. Without the valves inhaling and exhaling it won’t fire. Pull the valve cover make sure it’s working like it should be.

I got one out of the box last year and the intake rocker was not on the push rod. I put it on, adjusted it and it fired right up.

Check fuel filter. If you are running one it may be clogged with debris. If you are not the carb jets may be clogged.

Drill a hole in the gas cap

Three things make an engine not run: fire fuel compression

I appreciate all the support and advice. I ended up returning it after and swapped it again. This ran 5 seconds and seized up. I can’t pull the started at all. I quit. I’m just going to return it and look elsewhere. 2 for 2 bad. Can’t imagine this is normal.

No thats not normal . Third times a charm . Put oil in start let run , stop let cool , start run longer , let cool , one more time . Off you go .

Put oil in first . Change after third time .

These engines are not always assembled correctly. You might have gotten a bad batch, so try another store. The one I am running right now had a carburetor develop what appears to be a somewhat rare leaky fuel bowl float valve. I just called HF and since the carb is an EPA warranted item and I told them the carb was bad, they sent me another one for free. This same engine had been assembled with the intake gasket reversed, making its air intake restricted. Probably related. But the new carb worked great out of the box and even better with the enlarged jet than when I bought the engine.

I started writing a post about buying the cheapest engine on planet earth. But decided to not get into the fight.

I installed a Predator 212cc and drove it around the block 3 times and suddenly the engine seized up when I came to a stop. It has oil. Idk what would cause it to seize but the rear wheels on my yerf dog won’t even roll now because of it. What a PITA.

I installed a Predator 212cc and drove it around the block 3 times and suddenly the engine seized up when I came to a stop. It has oil. Idk what would cause it to seize but the rear wheels on my yerf dog won’t even roll now because of it. What a PITA.

That sounds like a locked up clutch to me without hearing any other specifics.