Chinese ruckus clone bring back to life. wont start or run By landfish (Read 921 times)

[landfish]

I have a bit of knowledge about working on cars but I have never worked on a scooter before.  I found some one selling a Chinese 50cc ruckus clone "for parts"  I went and talked to her and she said stopped using it about 6 months ago and it was not working.  so  I thought this would be a fun project and a way to learn about scooters.... I was thinking it would be super easy to get working.... probably replace a few things and do an fluids change and be good to go.

I check the oil level and it has oil.  I will replace it as soon as I get it running but want to focus on getting the scotter running then will replace all the fluids.  I did not want to put in new oil and then have to drain it if later I had to take apart the motor.

SO I take off the cover and all the fuel lines were falling apart..... No biggie replaced all the fuel lines... Then there still was not fuel getting to the cab so I replaced the fuel pump.  also I look in the fuel tank and see rust.  so I empty the tank and rehad it.  I got a new fuel sensor and install it.... I got all the rust and gunk out and its good as new...   So fuel flows to the cab now... I now have a clean tank new fuel lines. new fuel filter and new fuel pump.

but it doesn't start.   The stater cranks it just doesn't start.  SO I do a bit of research online and from what I found you need fuel spark and compression.. seems simple enough... from what I have read if you have a scooter that doesn't start it most likely the CDI or a carburetor issue or spark plug issue.  SO I replace the Carburetor the spark plug and the wire, The starter Cap. I take the plug out ground it and look for spark.  I see spark so woo hooo making progress....

I crank it up and still doesn't start.   Now I am getting worried and i'm not sure what to try next.  so I go get some started fluid.  and I am able to crank and start it Wooo Hoooo.... I'm getting excited my scooter is alive... and then it dies.... wow that was short lived excitement.   so I hit it with some more starter fluid and try to adjust the idle so I can keep it running...    no luck... it keeps dieing after a few secs after starting with starter fluid.  so I start it and try and gas it to see if I can just get the motor warmed up and see if it will keep running then... well it bogs down and just dies when I gas it.  So I try adjusting the carb air/fuel mixture screw and no affect.......

arrrrrrr soooo  I am guessing a I have a vacuum issue??  This is a guess??  I check all the vacuum lines and I do not see any cracks or holes.... or anything off.... I have not replaced these lines yet.... 

so I am wondering if anyone can help me out and try and help me find what is wrong with my scooter... I would love to be able to figure this out and not have to give up and take it to a shop.   If some one has an idea whats going on or what I can do next any help would be greatly appreciated... Thank you in advance 

John

[jct842]

sounds like "no fuel" . a vacuum leaks will cause this. after changing all the hoses the next step would be to pull the carb and check the manifold, it is hard rubber and tends to crack. Cranking with the fuel supply hose off should produce fuel running out of hose. Is possible old fuel has sealed off the carb or the line that goes into the gas tank. Old crapaholl turns first into a gell then hardens. ethenol has killed more small engines than all the other causes put together.

[cyborg]

Sound like a dirty carb to me also

[rks]

"fuel flows to the cab now... I now have a clean tank new fuel lines. new fuel filter and new fuel pump."

"SO I replace the Carburetor the spark plug and the wire,"

Replace the vac lines... manifold to fuel pump with the "T", and line to the fuel cut valve located on the right side of carb. Any other vac lines, canisters and the like, should be eliminated.

Check the valve lash.....I'd almost bet that they've never been adjusted.

[landfish]

It is not a dirty carb as the cab is brand new.... It is possible the new carb is not working correctly but it would be weird that the new and old one acted the same way



I am almost sure the fuel pump is working right but I will try bypassing it and doing a gravity feed from a bottle to just make sure.... What makes me wonder if it's really getting enough fuel is that I can start it with starter fluid and it will idle for a few seconds before cutting out.

[landfish]

tried to add an image of the pressure gauge...  

[jct842]

On your carb, on or near the bottom is a carb drain, some have a hose with a valve type plug that extends to the first tranny bolt. Open her up to see if there is gas in the float bowl.

[bonbhead]

I have had similar problems also. I am curious just where do you have the "air/mixture ratio" screw" set on the carb?

I have finally got mine adjusted and starting and stopping good now. I screwed mine in all the way and then turn counterclockwise 1 1/2 turns.
Also what is the clearance on the Valves. I have found .004 thousandths to work the best. I tried .005 but that was a tad too much.

[scotx50]

Apr 12, 2017 20:58:23 GMT -6 bonbhead said:

I have had similar problems also. I am curious just where do you have the "air/mixture ratio" screw" set on the carb?

I have finally got mine adjusted and starting and stopping good now. I screwed mine in all the way and then turn counterclockwise 1 1/2 turns.
Also what is the clearance on the Valves. I have found .004 thousandths to work the best. I tried .005 but that was a tad too much.

Do a compression test. You should have at least a hundred and 120 psi. Low compression will be a result of valves or rings. I like to pull the head old remove the studs. Then pull a vacume as if you were sucking on a pop bottle. If your lips stick then your good. If not your valves need reseated. A Keith of vacume line that fits right on the valve steem, the other end in a drill with a bit in the line. Remove keepers and springs. A small amount of lapping compound and start spining the valve you can hear the grit dissipate as it does it's job. It will spin out just wipe it back in to the surface being seated, it doesn't take much to do the job

[landfish]

so good news... after much frustration... I ordered a 2nd new carburetor from a different vendor. I changed it out and now it starts and runs!!!!!!!! hell yea!!!!!!!

SO the last thing I have to get working is the head lights. I just replaced the bulbs and no luck.. the running lights and the brake lights and turn lights all work but though I have read work off the battery and the head lights work off the stater. I have the scooter running then I was testing it. I need to get the volt meter out and take some readings...

[cyborg]

Good job,,, sounds like you'll have it up and running in no time now