Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Honda Go cart engine, hp honda, honda engines

Question
Hi Eric,

I am helping a friend with a go cart engine.  It is a 4 hp Honda horizontal OHV.  The engine was purchased new to put on the cart.  It has about 30 hours on it, the kids ran it out of gas, left it out in the rain, and they haven't been able to get it started since.

When I pull the rope, the compression doesn't feel right, but I've never worked on a Honda before so I'm not sure how it should feel. I put the compression tester on it, 30 PSI on the 1st pull, then up to 60 on the 2nd pull.  That is as high as it will go.

It has fire, a pink spark on my 250 gap spark tester, and a strong white spark on the regular plug.

I took off the breather and sprayed ether down the throat.  When I pulled the rope it backfired.  It seems to be blowing out the carb when I pull it without any starting fluid.

Can these things get out of time?

Hope you can help.  Thanks   Rick

Answer
I would inspect the carburetor...this is the only real trouble I've had with Honda engines.

As for the backfire, it is possible that the flywheel key is sheared.  This would be your timing problem.  It is rare for a horizontal engine to shear a flywheel key, but it's always possible and is and each check.

Compression sounds good...60 psi may even  be on the high side for a 4 cycle engine.

You did a good job checking the ignition and compression, so your problem has to be carb or igntion timing.  Like i said, check the flywheel key and carb.

Let me know what you find; especially if the key is sheared.
Eric