People S200 hard to start when cold

[Mr B]

Hi, I'm a newbie to the Forum. I've had my 2007 S200 for 2 years, it has 3,000 miles now. No problems until recently when it slowly got harder and harder to start after sitting overnight. First it would crank about 10 times, then it would take about 20 turns and when it started it appeared to be very rich until it warmed up. Now it won't turn over with the stater initially at all until I stand on the kick starter and turn it over manually a few times first. I can barely turn it over standing on the kick starter, seems like it has a compression lock with the cylinder full of fuel. After I loosen it up with the kick starter it cranks about 20 times then starts up very rich, then it runs great and will start immediately all day when it is warm. Then the next day when it's cold it is hard to start again. I changed out the fuel, new battery, new air filter, plug looks good, and still hard to start when cold. Could the fuel be leaking into the cylinder overnight? Ideas?
Thanks!
Dan B

[garibaldi]

You could take out the spark plug, and see what comes out when you crank it. Quick and easy diagnostics.

[zombie]

After you check the plug as garibaldi suggests, take a look inside the cvt. Something may be locking up in there. (clutch/ variator/ crank bearing)

[winginman]

If you haven't done so, I would start by replacing the spark plug.  These single cylinder engines are very sensitive to a plug getting burned down or worn. 

[Mr B]

Update - Another thing I noticed when it was hard to start and turnover is there would be raw oily/gas seaping out of the bottom of the air cleaner box. I need to take the seat & panels off to see how the fuel is routed into the carb from the tank. I'll pull the plug at this time to see if excess gas is in the cylinder. It seems that the fuel is somehow overflowing and leaking down into the carb/cylinder/air filter box. Maybe the "Auto Fuel Valve" on the bottom of the tank is bad?
Thanks again for any comments.
Dan B

[zombie]

The MOST obvious problem is MOST likely correct. I think you got it !

[garibaldi]

If fuel is getting past the carb with the engine off, then the problem is IN the carb - i.e. float valve. It's probably just a bit of dirt in the float bowl.

[Mr B]

Update #2 - I removed the carb. The upper head behind the intake valve was flooded with gas so that when I cranked it over to start, it would suck all of the fuel into the cylinder and lock it up until I stood on the kickstarter and turned it over a few times to clear the excess fuel out. Also, when I disconnected the fuel line from the carb the gas ran out of the fuel tank, so that is one of the problems - the "Auto Fuel Valve" is bad so the fuel from the tank is constantly on to the carb. I cleaned the carb bowl, the float & valve seat look good. So I'll order a new Auto Fuel Valve and it should stop the fuel from being on when it's not running.

Thanks again for everybody's comments.
Dan

[zombie]

Funny how things pile up all at once! Best to you...