The next morning, drained the carb, removed and checked plugs (got fire), checked oil (found it milky w/milkshake on bottom of oil cap), found small amount of clear water coming from crankcase/valve cover vent through PCV valve (PCV still woks) & coolant in reservoir is full and very clean. Changed the oil (10w40), removed and cleaned the carb and blew out jets and she started back up easily. I drove it around for about 30-45 minutes and noticed that at higher RPMs in each gear the engine would hesitate or stutter a bit unless I gave it more throttle or shifted. Returned back to camp and again, found a little more water in the air box and a slight bit of water droplets on oil cap. Started again (no problem) to trailer it and then took it along bumpy road to another area. Later tried to start it again, and it would almost start and backfire several times, but no luck. Now it won’t start at all, just turns over.
From the oil standpoint, clearly the unit has taken on water to some degree before I owned it, but I’m also puzzled over the clear water in the air box. Not sure if I’ve got two different issues or if these are related. I was told when I bought it the oil had just been changed and I believe it had because the oil was clear, but I now suspect the oil had been changed in response to taking on water, but had yet to become milky.
My gut says the not starting issue is still something with the carb, but I’m curious what others with more experience on these machines my think.
