That's common on cars with 2-stroke engines that are lubricated by oil in the fuel (like a chainsaw). If you don't freewheel it, there's not enough oil coming t

That's common on cars with 2-stroke engines that are lubricated by oil in the fuel (like a chainsaw). If you don't freewheel it, there's not enough oil coming through the fuel system to lubricate the engine properly. Old Saabs with 2-stroke engines were like that too.