I have tried to start it repeatedly with no luck. I tickled it for 3 seconds, and tried to start it at half choke (multiple start attempts)… no start. I tried to start it at 1/4 choke (multiple start attempts)… no start. I tried to start it at full choke (multiple start attempts)… no start. I tried to start it at open choke (multiple start attempts)… no start. I know I am getting fuel and spark, and compression (by removing the spark plug and holding my finger/thumb over the plug hole and cranking the pedal with the clutch engaged). It used to crank right up, but now seems like it is bogged down. When trying to start it, it sounds as if the kill switch is being pressed while starting, but I have disconnected the kill switch. I only have blue to blue and black to black hooked up. When trying to start it, if I give it gas, it sounds as if more air is getting to the engine, but still does not start. I am using 16:1 gas/2-cycle oil mix. It seems rich, and I would have already diluted it but it ran quite well before with the same fuel (literally). I removed the cylinder head to make sure the piston was moving, and it still had full range of motion. This is becoming extremely frustrating. I have worked on small (and large) engines before and until today, have never had a newer engine like this fail to start.

I am still at a loss.