i had the fiddy out in the snow and it ran fine for an hour but it started to pop and back fire at WOT. it runs like ****, i filled it with gas but only had 89 octane, not sure if that hurt it. i checked and have a small leak in the exhaust, and i cleaned the plug- still runs bad, any suggestions?

 

Should post in help and how too section.
You didn't happen to get snow and dirt etc in your air filter did ya?

 

I'm guessing you got water in yer carb. I haven't had it happen yet this year but it happened last year when the entire carb had snow packed around it. Running a bit of carb cleaner through it might do the trick, otherwise just riding it around for awhile in dry conditions will clean it up. Wouldn't hurt to check the air filter either.

Oh another thing could be the fuel overflow hanging down below the engine. If that gets snow in/on it and it freezes over the gas won't come out and it'll run like chit after some wheelies.

 

i cleaned the whole carb out, changed gas, new plug, cleaned air filter and it runs fine now... not sure what it was but who cares- runs good now