Mystery of Hard Starting, Poor Running Honda TRX300EX Solved!

[@smallgaragehustle]

Harvey, first and foremost you got me into fixing ATVs, now I teach my son how to rebuild them. For the 300ex, the previous owner probably put the chain on wrong. Pull the cam gear, spin the cam back and reassemble back to TDC. Run it as is. I doubt the chain is stretched.

[@HarveySpooner]

Hey Steven, I did not like the way the chain was sitting on the sprockets either... I have a chain on order, I will get back into it when it shows up.... Thanks for the advice, Ur thoughts, watching, and commenting!!!

[@ryanmicklo1616]

Is it possible you could show me a video or a good way to do timing on a 300ex? I haven't been able to find how to do the timing on these. TIA.

[@atvseatexchange2176]

Thanks Harvey, good lesson on motors and patience.

[@topherg396]

just bought a 300 today. don't know anything about it. But i now know what to check for with the timing. Thanks again!

[@trevortvrdik5987]

Awesome video, love watching you work and diagnose. Glad I came across this channel. Hoping for an update on this project very soon as I have an 03 300ex with identical issues.

[@dartvader9939]

Splitting chains ain't easy without the right tools

[@HarveySpooner]

Hey Dart!!! I popped for the right tool, I bought a really good splitter and joiner set.... Thanks for the advice, thoughts, watching, and commenting!!!

[@full-timefun-haver2139]

Love the videos, just bought a 300ex last night and you have definitely helped a ton!

[@jacobcummings907]

When they "rebuilt" it they messed up the cam chain tensioner would be my guess It's probably not in right

[@HarveySpooner]

Hey Wizard! I always double and triple check myself when timing up an engine.... Even with that, I have been a notch off.... I understand the mess up, I don't know Y they did not catch it on the double check.... Thanks for Ur understanding, Ur thoughts, watching, and commenting!!!

[@Hondabond35]

I can tell you right off the top the guy has some mechanical experience but not good diagnostic experience I've been doing this stuff 28 years straight it's what I do for a living

[@xtra333]

my poor manifold bolts snapped along with the bolt pulling bits so this is definitely gonna help me know how to time my 300ex when i replace the top end

[@MattyIce250]

if the chain is that loose, check the guides and tensioner. i have timed many of these style honda engines, but have also seen many that others who aren't mechanics tried to time and failed... those are always really cheap to buy....

[@HarveySpooner]

Hey Matthew! Ur suggestion puts me in an difficult situation... If I split the chain, I really don't get a good look at the guides.... But, if I split the chain and if all comes in tight, I guess I don't need to look at the guides.... What do U think???? Thanks for Ur advice, thoughts, watching, and commenting!!!

[@MattyIce250]

@@HarveySpooner if it was mine, I would take the side engine cover off and replace the chain without splitting it, that would also let you take a better look at the guides. although, one of them requires removing the head to inspect in its entirety. what decision you make depends upon how much time and effort you would be willing to put into it.

[@donutdan1508]

Shipping is slow. Supply chain is way behind because of virus shutdowns. Hoping things catch up soon. Take care, DD

[@HarveySpooner]

Hey Dan! I guess I should not complain, delayed shipping should be the worst of all of our problems!!! Thanks for Ur thoughts, encouragement, watching, and commenting!!!

[@donutdan1508]

@@HarveySpooner Went to the hardware store and they were out of Circular saws. Talked with the manager for a few minutes about shortages and he said they were out of pressure treated lumber. Had been for a while and it looked like about 2 months before it would be available again. Glad I am not a deck builder. Take care, DD

[@pinefighter1]

Good decision,you don’t ride hard....stay safe.

[@HarveySpooner]

Hey Pinefighter!! In the old days, I used to ride really hard, back when I bounced when I fell.... Now when I fall, I seem to break and it takes me a long time to get up.... I don't ride hard anymore.... Thanks for the good advice, Ur thoughts, watching, and commenting!!!

[@kelseymoe2259]

Hey harvey thanks for the info you help me fix alot of my atvs. i was bored and put some 400ex front plastics on my 300ex im gonna find some 300ex stickers to put on side so i dont confuse anyone lol

[@HarveySpooner]

Hey Kelsey, Interesting, I have a red set of 400ex front plastics and I was wondering if they easily went on the 300ex.... I guess U can answer that question. Thanks for the info, Ur thoughts, watching, and commenting!!!

[@kelseymoe2259]

I did a video on my page of how it looks and you might figure out how to make the plastics fit better than i did lol ..im currently fixin the plastics now ill post another video after i sand it down and make the pieces connect better and then paint

[@kelseymoe2259]

Hey harvey i finished my 300ex with 400ex front plastics on my channel check out the video let me know what you think..its not the prettiest lol but im learning as i go

[@connersnow298]

Awesome vid and edits and filming and bikes

[@jimmyping9179]

I need help i got a 2002 300ex and I cant time it can anyone help me

[@joshfixall7938]

Got the same bike, but no idea unfortunately

[@Lifehappens1]

Excellent vid ive been in the top/ timing all day lol Honda fourtrax ;)

[@dannydepino3874]

Did they forget to put one of the guides in also check the tensioner someone probably took the top end apart lost some parts I'd double check.

[@HarveySpooner]

Hey Danny!! I have a new chain on order... Once it comes in, I'll get back into this thing.... The chain is stretched, but, I think U R right, there is more wrong than that!!! Thanks for the advice, thoughts, watching, and commenting!!!

[@MichaelNelson-mz8yb]

I recently got a go kart with a Honda trx300ex engine, I have none of the wiring and was wondering if there was a way to get if running with a cheap Chinese wiring harness

[@hunterkochevar4330]

can’t skmeone just make a video of how to fix you power in a Honda 300ex 96 I lost all power and can’t find a single video on how to fix it

[@robertgwinn8406]

Cool

[@Lifehappens1]

Btw shipping is slow sometimes unless your bills are do may get those a day early 🤣

[@jacobcummings907]

I bought a ton of parts online for my 84 cr250 project and the shipping is incredibly slow, especially from evilbay

[@HarveySpooner]

Hey Wizard, Most of my stuff comes from evil bay, I see a lot of it showing up on amazon and eb has been annoying me lately.... Maybe it is time for me to move my business from 1 evil empire to another.... Thanks for the info, understanding, watching, and commenting!!!

[@adamweinrich4661]

Your little wrench setup to turn the crank is smart setup. I have a problem with setting my TDC that it refuses to stay in place when on the T. It will stay on the F but not the T so regardless what direction control I have it always pivots. Im assuming this is because at TDC the crank and piston weight want to fall one way or another. Is this true or could I have something else going on?

[@loganvelez7676]

What are those rear tires? Haven’t seen those before. Kind of like Vipers

[@Hondabond35]

yeah this guy is not at all around mechanic not really much to learn here I've done timing change on everything

[@HarveySpooner]

Thanks for Ur thoughts, watching, and commenting!

[@Hondabond35]

@@HarveySpooner no problem anytime I'm a Honda guy my whole life I mean probably see that in my emoji

[@philipthemechanic5782]

i try every way and i cant get those 2 mark flush with the head they are close but not totally flush is this normal? thanks

[@matthelms4118]

Mine leaks oil I need help it leaks oil from plug and blow by tube on the back

[@Lifehappens1]

Appreciate the vid, but it was a lot of unnecessary rambling. I know it’s meant with the kids intentions to be informative but I was more so hoping to see what happens when an engine jumps timing or what that would sound like happening

[@buster6911]

what about a suzuki quad sport lt230 85/86