Dirt Squirt

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Garyh
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Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2025 5:58 pm

Dirt Squirt

Post by Garyh »

Just bought a ‘73 Dirt Squirt at the Mecum Las Vegas auction last December and was pleased to find this club and the Hodaka Parts web.
The bike I bought has been very well restored, ( looking like new), but has been on static display for several years and never run during that time.
I got it running after rebuilding the carb and gas tank, but it is blowing too much blue smoke and running rough like it is too rich.
Let it run for awhile to get the old oil out/of the pipe and elsewhere but it is still smoking and running rough.
Any ideas before I tear down the top end. (Right side crank seal leaking?)
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Bullfrog
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Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2013 4:05 pm
Location: Oregon, 12 miles from the center of the Hodaka Universe(Athena)

Re: Dirt Squirt

Post by Bullfrog »

Clutch side crankshaft seal is a prime suspect. You'll have to split the cases for that one.

Be sure to pressure/vacuum test the engine when you are done - two strokes MUST be airtight. NOTE: I'd highly recommend a pressure test to identify EXACTLY where your leak is before starting the tear down. Odds are it is the seal . . . but it could be somewhere else, and it would be a bummer to replace the seal and get it all back together only to find the leak is still there.
Ed
Keep the rubber side down!
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ossa95d
Posts: 389
Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 3:06 pm
Location: Manchester Vermont

Re: Dirt Squirt

Post by ossa95d »

It's possible that the owner had added oil to the cylinder to keep it from seizing while sitting and the crankcase is full. It can take a while to work all of that oil out of the engine and pipe (especially the pipe). A leakdown test is simple to perform and would be very helpful in locating the source of your problem.
Ivan AKA "Pop"
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Bullfrog
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Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2013 4:05 pm
Location: Oregon, 12 miles from the center of the Hodaka Universe(Athena)

Re: Dirt Squirt

Post by Bullfrog »

"Pop" is right. It is quite possible the symptoms may not relate to a leak. But we agree that the first step is a diagnostic pressure test.

Ed
Keep the rubber side down!
Garyh
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2025 5:58 pm

Re: Dirt Squirt

Post by Garyh »

Thanks for the advice.
I thought the Rt. Side crank seal was the probable problem.
How do you do a pressure test? Not familiar with how to do that?
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Dale
Posts: 1274
Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:23 am

Re: Dirt Squirt

Post by Dale »

There are a number of posts regarding leak down testing here on the forum. Unfortunately,, the built-in search feature is not that great. Here is a link to one such post. viewtopic.php?t=2871

The best way to search the forum, in my opinion, is to go to google.com and enter your search in this format:
site:hodakaforum.com leak down test
Dale
MTrat
Posts: 310
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2016 5:00 pm
Location: Montana

Re: Dirt Squirt

Post by MTrat »

Soapy water is your friend with the leak down test. RH crank seal failure will add pressure to the trans which will exit through the vent below the carb. Again, soapy water can help you track down where the leaks are,
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ossa95d
Posts: 389
Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 3:06 pm
Location: Manchester Vermont

Re: Dirt Squirt

Post by ossa95d »

By plugging the exhaust port and the carb mount you can carefully pressurize the engine to no more than 6 psi. Ideally it should hold that pressure for 3 minutes, but if it leaks more than 1 psi per minute it has a leak that needs to be addressed. There are leak down pressure test kits that are available commercially, but they are pricey. They can be made yourself if you are somewhat clever.
Ivan AKA "Pop"
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ossa95d
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Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 3:06 pm
Location: Manchester Vermont

Re: Dirt Squirt

Post by ossa95d »

Leakdown Tester.jpg
This kit by Motion Pro comes with all the plugs to do just about any two stroke engine, including Hodakas.
Ivan AKA "Pop"
Garyh
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2025 5:58 pm

Re: Dirt Squirt

Post by Garyh »

Thank you for help. I will give it a try.
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