PDI's By wolfhound (Read 1,095 times)

[wolfhound]

Now I understand the importance of a PDI done by the dealer
or the buyer. Helped Mountain Moped do the PDI on my new
TGB R9i yesterday, all went well till time to crank the engine.
Starter worked, engine did not start after repeated tries.
Bryan knew at once what the problem was. Varnish from gas
in the carb clogging the jets. Before a scoot leaves the factory
it is cranked up and the engine 'tested'. That small amount of
gas remains in the carb. The next time you buy a scoot check the
date of manufacture. Once a scoot gets into the distributors
inventory it may stay there a while. The TGB was made in Jan.
09. It had been in the warehouse ever since. From a practical
view point it is a new scoot, from an actual viewpoint it can be
argued that it is 2 years old. Moot problem actually. He has a
new MadAss that he is doing the PDI on and it was made 8/09.
So, out came the carb for a thorough cleaning. It had all jets clogged with varnish and the carb bowl had varnish that could be chipped out.
Once this was done she started right up and the test ride was
great. Kept her at 40 or under but the pick up was really fast.
I am a happy camper. now to put on the accessories, get her
insured, tagged and on the road.
I have learned a lot about the mechanics of a scoot, not that I will ever be much of a wrencher, but at least i will know more about diagnostics.
Mind you that both the above scoots came to Mountain Moped
directly from the distributor. I suspect that a lot of scoot inventory
has been sitting a while due to the slow sales picture. With fuel
costs esculating that is about to change!!
And I have learned the value of a PDI done by the dealer. They
earn their keep.

[kz1000st]

Can you say "leaded gas"?

[Alleyoop]

Wolfhound,
Yes, your are correct, no telling how long the scoots have been sitting in a warehouse in a crate. And I am sure they use the cheapest stuff to test them out if they test them at all after assembly.
Alleyoop

[mthomas]

That does not only apply to new scoots. Everytime I see an ad on CL, Ebay or wherever and the ad says, ran last year when I put it away but won't start now, I think it most likely needs the carb cleaned out. Then what happens is they tried to start it so much they kill the battery and sometimes the starter. Got great deals on my 2 scoots with these exact problems. Important to start it every couple of weeks to keep the gas moving a bit.

[wolfhound]

I am not sure but would agree that leaded gas would be the problem.
I doubt that unleaded is popular in Taiwan. So far every thing else about
the scoot is typical TGB top flight.

[kz1000st]

Feb 23, 2011 15:38:19 GMT -6 wolfhound said:

I am not sure but would agree that leaded gas would be the problem.
I doubt that unleaded is popular in Taiwan. So far every thing else about
the scoot is typical TGB top flight.

I remember reading about leaded gas clog ups awhile ago, especially in Chinese scoots. It used to be a bigger problem in the old days and I remember varnish on the outside of carbs wasn't uncommon, especially when we ran premium. In the dark ages it was only a few cents more than regular.

[wolfhound]

The TGB is manufactured in Taiwan so evidently they are not big on unleaded gas either.

[rapidjim]

Yep, letting gas sit in any scooter or M/C will clog the jets. Spring is coming and if it was like last year I will get numerous phone calls on no starts, 99% of the will be clogged jets. People just won't drain their carbs in fall or use Sea Foam, I tell my customers time and time again and there are a few that listen but not many. Pay me now pay me later LOL!

Jim/Owner
Rapid Repair

[reddogscooters]

Also the Gas Tank's are made in mass qty. so the manufacture coats the inside of the tank to prevent rust and when you put fuel in them it will dissolve and cause a clogged carb.

It is best to fill your new scoot all the way up and put some kind of fuel stabilizer in with it . This will help to dissolve it better.

[wolfhound]

I use Sea Foam in all my scoots. Good points, Jim and Red Dog. Usually the weather is warm
enough, if you are tough, to ride 10 out of 12 months but Sea Foam is still a good idea year round.

[wolfhound]

Well, the TGB R9i 150 hit the road yesterday after Bryan finished the PDI and rejetted the
carb with hi performance jets from MRP. I am trying to keep it below or at 40 mph for the
break in period with occaisional pops to 50 but it wants to go faster. It is the best balanced
of all my scoots an a pleasure to ride. Took Bryan and Jeannie out to lunch as a Thank You
for all the efforts and help put in nd today we are going to take a ride to Burnt Mountain,
a scenic ride.
After lunch Jeannies TGB 150 Del had a dead battery and hd to b kick started. She has a
habit of shutting down using the kill switch. This time she forgot to tun off the switch and
it being a 3 yearold battery and her not riding as much in the winter the battery went south.
Bryan replaced it when we got back to the shop.
Moral of story: Use kill switch in emergancies only!!!!
EM, pix will be in the wa soon.