RD4 pony starting issue

Water in the fuel? I recently had the same situation after arrival at a show, found some water in the fuel. I noticed that water will mix with rust particles and go right into the carb instead of settling in the jar. I removed the carb bowl and cleaned thoroughly plus installed a new zenith fuel valve on the tank. The pony hasn't run better in years and no more excessive choking.
That is the short story, I left out the cursing, moaning, rope pulling, and false leads.

Have you removed the mag cap and checked for tracking, moisture, etc? Put a low setting hair dryer on it for good measure.
I have also seen where flooding can carry carbon into the plug and short it.

Thanks for the replies. I emptied the gas tank, put in fresh fuel and cleaned the sediment bowl and screen. I pulled the mag cap off, checked the points and the rotor all correct. I put a heat gun on it at the lowest settings and dried it out. Now it won’t even bark. It was puttering this morning before I messed with the mag and still acted like it was either missing or fuel deprived. I manipulated the governor linkage while it was running and it wouldn’t go past half throttle. I serviced the governor before reinstalling and it worked fine. I’m think now I might need to a new mag rotor and see if the governor is stuck.

Any other ideas are welcome.

Mag out of time?

I don’t think so. I marked the gear and rotor when I took the cap off and I retimed it the last time I took the mag off. I think the rotor isn’t making good contact with the cap and causing no spark now.

The rotor is brushed or jump spark?

Jump spark. I’m wondering if the cap and rotor might be worn out.

Hi FLDrew91,
Had the same issue one day, did all the same things, found out when i put the leads back on i put them on backwards, simple mistake but can be very frustrating.

Regards

[quote="rax200"]Hi FLDrew91,
Had the same issue one day, did all the same things, found out when i put the leads back on i put them on backwards, simple mistake but can be very frustrating.

Regards[/quote]

Plug wires? I’ve done that before and figured out the issue pretty quick. I double checked this time too and they are correct. Its definitely very frustrating... worked a few days ago, now it’s showing it’s a$$ lol