the motor had a strange noise when I tested it. Then I gave it a big kicking by tearing into that massive pile of Kikuyu that was also full of rubbish you couldn't see till it came flying out the side.
Hi Norm,
Could it be that a bearing has gone? This would explain the noise, and possibly be the cause of the slight scoring on the bore (Misaligned). That said, it wouldn't necessarily explain why it was running, then cut out and wouldn't start.
Being on a decent gradient would explain it cutting out, but not that it won't fire up at all. Unless the transfer port which is normally pretty stacked with fuel is entirely empty.
But to then get not even a single pop when using starter fluid... that's really odd. If you remove the carby, remove the exhaust, spray some starter fluid and you don't get even a single pop (Even if it's weak), I'd say it would have to be the spark. Because by opening the exhaust and intake, you've got plenty of air available and no restrictions, you've got fuel from the starter fluid, and even with almost no compression, you should still get a flame. If you don't, I'd say it's spark related. That could also relate to the noise and scoring mentioned above. If the flywheel is misaligned with the magneto because of the bearings, you could have a spark issue.
