Trouble starting after a few days of no riding By nivanov (Read 1,167 times)

[nivanov]

Hello everyone,

I have a TaoTao ATM50-A1 and when I ride it every day, it starts like a champion. However, when I leave it not running for a few days, mostly over the weekend, it has major troubles starting. It would crank a few times, almost start, but then the electric starter stops cranking the engine - it still rotates, but with a different sound. I also notice a smell of gasoline while I'm trying to crank it. I usually have recharge the battery manually, then trying starting the scooter again, and eventually it will start. Needless to say, the kickstart doesn't help either.

I thought that maybe the vacuum petcock leaks, so the carb gets flooded with gas over time. I changed the petcock to a manually operated one. Last Friday, I shut off the petcock before leaving the scooter for the weekend, and this Monday the battery died before the scooter would start.

The electric starter sounds very strange when I crank after the scooter sits idle for a while. First, it cranks normally - I can feel the engine turn over and the scooter almost starts. Then I try cranking again but now it feels like the starter is "skipping" - it rotates quickly, but I don't feel the engine turning over. I try cranking anyways, the battery eventually dies, I take it inside, charge it, reconnect it, crank it again and the scooter starts like a champion. It's almost like I need to crank it, then let it sit for a bit, and crank it again for it to start. Any idea what could be causing this?

[cyborg]

Starter clutch maybe going away

[tvnacman]

fuel is drying out and needs to be replenished in the carb.

I would look into the valves as well.

John

[nivanov]

Yep, after reading about valve adjustment, I think that's the next thing I'll look at, after replacing the battery with a gel one. Thanks!

[crwford]

Been reading what he wrote saying if he ran it every day never a problem right ? If so why valves ? why not fuel leaking out? or choke or too lean at that time? I can't see valves changing clearance after sitting a few days.

[tvnacman]

Oct 6, 2016 10:09:30 GMT -6 crwford said:

Been reading what he wrote saying if he ran it every day never a problem right ? If so why valves ? why not fuel leaking out? or choke or too lean at that time? I can't see valves changing clearance after sitting a few days.

Valves on these little engines create a whole host of different types of problems.
I only mentioned checking, did not claim it was the cause.

John

[crwford]

No that what no I was trying to say just if it started every day and no problem and left alone a few days and know it won't start why look at valve lash? I am always learning that's why I put it out that way sorry if I ruffed some feathers.

[jct842]

I would be looking at the battery. On those 50s it needs to be right up to snuff. If it isn't they don't like to start yet put plenty of fuel in the engine. Now it is close to flooded. Charge the battery and finally it starts!

Next time you let it sit for a few days....first stick a set of jumpers on a non running car then hit the starter button....bet it starts! Do not try to start on your battery alone. If it starts go out and buy a good battery, I like yuasa a regular lead acid not the agm ones but most I see for sale are agm.

[sillylittleboy]

Really? So my cold starting issues might be my battery? Every morning when I go to start my scooter it takes a few cranks of the starter before the engine fires and starts up. I just figured it was part of the whole gravity-feed fuel system and I just needed to get some fuel flowing/primed to the engine before it'll start.

It's nothing drastic, but I'd say it probably takes maybe 5-7 times of letting it crank for maybe 2-3 seconds each before that spark plug finds enough fuel to cause an internal combustion. I'm looking at maybe getting a new battery and if it'll help get me started quicker, then I'm all over it.

[jct842]

If the problem is your battery a new one will help. The pilot jet and air/fuel adjustments might also be off. If your battery is good a new one will be a waste of money. Also be aware the super expensive lithium ones do not like cold weather.

[richardv]

Along with a new battery get yourself a Battery Tender maintainer. That's a little charger that only puts out when the battery needs it then it shuts off. Unlike a regular charger it will not overcharge a small battery. I had them on all my motorcycles and the tractors.