Seek advice re: TGB r50x scooter -- dies while I'm riding! By tominbmore (Read 8,886 times)

[Alleyoop]

The problem is it needs more fuel, all that is happening IDLE DROPS slow bouncing rpms etc is all NOT ENOUGH FUEL(running very LEAN). So if turning the screw say 1/2-1 full turn in either direction does not do anything that is a problem it points to something being CLOGGED and not allowing fuel to pass through the passage.

So at this time I suggest taking the CARB off and get a SPRAY OF CARB CLEANER they come with a thin straw, take the carb bowl off and STICK THE THIN STRAW IN EVERY HOLE YOU SEE and spray. Now if it's a hole it has to come out someplace so make sure something comes out when you spray.
Alleyoop

[tominbmore]

Hey guys!

Long time since I've posted anything.

Wanted to let y'all know that after beating my head against the wall, I (the total, absolute noob) waved the white flag and took 'er to the local shop.  Feel free to berate me for that decision here.

I spoke with the head mechanic, who charged me $65 for a full, however-long-it-takes, diagnostic, but who told me that whatever repairs + parts I choose to pay for, the $65 eventually gets swallowed up into that cost (i.e., $80 of labor and/or parts means I only pay $15 more on top of the sunk $65).

Anyway, he did a test of everything, which he said were fine.  Carb had no issues, he said.  No cooling probs, no filter or spark plug problem... He then, as the last thing, figured there was maybe not enough spark, so he tested a new CDI box, and she looked like she was revving way better.  He's now going to ride her around the city to make sure this was the fix.  So far this is all diagnostic, so i haven't contracted for repairs or parts yet, by the way.  He'll call me in a couple hours to let me know whether that fixed it, but he seems very confident that was it.

I asked him what a CDI costs, and he quoted $41.00.  I was happy to find out from youtube that switching out a CDI is so quick and non-complicated i could probably teach my cat to do it, which = LOW labor costs.  But I am ALSO curious whether $40 is more or less what a decent CDI, for THIS scooter, would cost me if I bought it online.  I know that not all parts are created equal, and I would bet dollars to donuts that there are super crappy $9 CDI's out there.  But amazon also suggests that good CDI's with lots of great reviews go for $20 or less.

So, basically, I just wanted to test you all's knowledge to see whether I am getting hosed.  Frankly, i have little control here, as I dont have a truck, and my home is too far to wheel my scooter back so that I can put my OWN CDI on (best case scenario if I could do it).  Plus, even if he is charging me $15 more than i would pay online, I might be OK with that considering the convenience of having someone else do it and save me from looking on videos etc. (I have little spare time these days).

So, that's my question.  Also curious if you could explain why some CDIs are more expensive than others, and maybe help me be able to be savvy about whether he is selling me a good one for $41 or a middle of the road/crappy one for $41.  Maybe TGB scooters only take CDI's that are little more costly, for example?

Any input greatly appreciated as always!!

PS: If I should create a new thread for this, I understand. Rich, you could take care of that for me, if need be?

t.

[Bashan]

Sure Tom but we're good on this thread. I think those charges are reasonable and I wouldn't feel ripped off one bit. Plus now you have a relationship with a mechanic that sounds very honest. Also, if things aren't fixed after the CDI swap it sounds like this guy will stand behind his work. By the way, you're probably starting to see that electrical problems can imitate fuel, which can imitate CVT which..... It can get confusing. Sometimes a mechanic in the area can help a lot.

TGB doesn't use any different components than the other Chinese scooters. Now you start getting into Kymco or SYM and you'd need proprietary components. Some members on this forum raved about NCY CDIs but I think it's just kind of a crap shoot. John (TVNacMan) might have something to add to this since he sells parts. Rich

[tominbmore]

Thanks Rich!
Actually I went ahead and got the new CDI repairs done.

I was super happy... for exactly 12 miles. Rode it around for 20 minutes Thursday night. Then after work yesterday I was gonna go for a long ride to stsrt the weekend. But then the scooter died on me after 10 minutes! Basically the problem is not fixed even though I'm out of pocket 140 dollars.
I'm about to call the mechanic back again to find out if they'll take my scooter back to find the issue without any extra cost.
If they won't I might just lose my temper. The norm for mechanics is to take back the bike or car if the problem they say they fixed isn't fixed, right?
If they refuse well I might just remind them I'm a lawyer wHo knows a lot of lawyers in baltimore lol

[jwhood32]

I told ya not too take it there they are a rip off they have know idea what they are doing on 2 strokes,tom did u take it to tank scooters on eastern ave??

[tominbmore]

Hey all, jhwood is a stand up guy who has my total respect.
He drove 30 minutes from outside baltimore to help me out after I found out that the local "mechanic" repairs proved to be imaginary. I was out 140 for parts and labor, and jhwood checked my scooter out, took the carb out, unclogged the main jet, checked the rest of the carb, put it back in the scoot, and then spent 20-30 intense minutes getting my idle and fuel ratio screws JUST RIGHT.
My scooter now rides awesome and tthose old issues (dying mid-ride, high revs at idle, etc.).
I'm super grateful for all of your time and help. But J deserves some kind of medal for driving down to bail me out when I was down in the dumps.
T.

[Guitarman]

Makes me think of a sticky throttle cable. Had an old Enduro 250 that used to rev itself up. Turned out to be some rubber cement on the throttle cable at the carb. LOL At least that's what my cousin said. He used to do all my mechanikin'

Time to get a Lawyer after that shady mechanic. I hate those guys. We've got a really bad one here in Honolulu. His place looks like a chop shop instead of a repair shop.

[Bashan]

JH is a Scooter Doc if ever there was one. Good job man!

[tominbmore]

Jul 27, 2014 12:24:49 GMT -6 Guitarman said:

Makes me think of a sticky throttle cable. Had an old Enduro 250 that used to rev itself up. Turned out to be some rubber cement on the throttle cable at the carb. LOL At least that's what my cousin said. He used to do all my mechanikin'

Time to get a Lawyer after that shady mechanic. I hate those guys. We've got a really bad one here in Honolulu. His place looks like a chop shop instead of a repair shop.

Funny thing is, man, I am a lawyer! When I go chat with them to tell them how they don't run a professional shop, I'll see if I can find a way to drop that nugget of info. just to see him get nervous lol

[Guitarman]

Honestly, at this point, I wouldn't drop anything. I'd slam it down on the table.
I'd walk in and very nicely ask him how it's going today. After a minute or so of chit chat, I'd say, Oh, by the way, I'm a lawyer. Did you know after your "repair" I had to have a friend come and fix it?

I might even ask him which Wal-mart he got his certification at...