Help! I can't get my baby started. By 4denise (Read 2,903 times)

[4denise]

I had a great time all day yesterday, doing right turns, then left turns, then going and getting ice, then refusing to come in until it was getting really dark.

When I went to start my scooter today, the gas was gone. My house mate was sweet enough to go get gas for me and I gassed her up. She won't start. I pulled her over a large piece of cardboard to check for leaks. I waited 15 minutes. No leaks. Still won't start.

I have a feeling that I shouldn't have left her outside last night.

Any advice? I'm feeling very down at the moment. I want to go out!

[runningslow]

Oct 18, 2010 13:42:47 GMT -6 4denise said:

I had a great time all day yesterday, doing right turns, then left turns, then going and getting ice, then refusing to come in until it was getting really dark.

When I went to start my scooter today, the gas was gone. My house mate was sweet enough to go get gas for me and I gassed her up. She won't start. I pulled her over a large piece of cardboard to check for leaks. I waited 15 minutes. No leaks. Still won't start.

I have a feeling that I shouldn't have left her outside last night.

Any advice? I'm feeling very down at the moment. I want to go out!

Hmm.... are you saying that someone siphoned your gas?

Will it crank and not start? You may want to check something as simple as the kill switch. We've all been fooled by that (at least) once.

After that, I'll leave it to the more experience diagnosticians...

[4denise]

I have a very strong suspicion. My neighbor gets annoyed whenever I (or any other female in his vicinity) gets any kind of transportation. That's one (but not the only) reason he just lost his wife and son.

Yes, I did check the kill switch! That happened to me the first day. I haven't forgotten in two days (although I'm sure I will again-- it's much too easy a mistake to make). It does try. It just doesn't succeed.

[sprocket]

If the gas is gone and you refilled it, you probably have a vapour lock. This is basically a big bubble in the fuel line...it stops the gas from flowing.

You probably will need to remove the fuel line and get the gas to flow. The other method that sometimes works is to take off the fuel cap and have someone cup their hands around the gas tank inlet and blow into the gas tank really hard, while you try and start the scooter...this may work the bubble through the line...

You want to be careful now that you don't run down the battery trying to start it... it might be better to use the kick-starter. Remember to hold the brake lever and be certain the ignition key is in the run position...

[runningslow]

Oct 18, 2010 13:52:36 GMT -6 4denise said:

I have a very strong suspicion. My neighbor gets annoyed whenever I (or any other female in his vicinity) gets any kind of transportation. That's one (but not the only) reason he just lost his wife and son.

Yes, I did check the kill switch! That happened to me the first day. I haven't forgotten in two days (although I'm sure I will again-- it's much too easy a mistake to make). It does try. It just doesn't succeed.

If you're seriously suspecting malicious behavior, you may want to go over the entire scooter, especially any place within easy access and check for loose or disconnected wiring.

I guess the two main things to check are to see if the carb is getting fuel and check to see if you have a good spark.

You can check to see if fuel is getting to the carb by removing the fuel inlet hose on the carb and trying to start the scoot. If gas comes out of that line, then the fuel petcock is working and the carb should be getting gas. Put the hose back one.

You can check for spark by removing the spark plug (or use a second plug if you have one) and putting in the plug boot. While holding it by boot, touch the threaded part of the plug to the valve cover and try starting the scoot. Hopefully you'll see a nice blue spark and hear a zapping sound.

After that... I'm out ideas for the moment.

[4denise]

Now I'm paying the price for not putting my tools away. While we find the tool I need to get to the fuel line, let me tell you just a little more. If I let her sit for awhile, then when I try to start her she almost starts-- but only on the first try. After that, she just can't even make the effort. The starter (if that is the right word) is working, but the engine doesn't "catch" again. I may be technically incorrect, but I think you know what I mean. That leads me to believe that it probably is a fuel issue. If the fuel were trickling in very slowly, this would be the logical result. My house mate has found the tool. I'm going to go out and try again.

[kr10k50]

Fuel system runs off of vacuum. be sure and check all vacuum lines for pinches, holes, or abrasions. As always, check those valve clearances before going very far into it.

[4denise]

As a matter of fact, I did find a pinched vacuum line. It isn't pinched anymore. Still won't start, but that could be because I'm mad and frustrated. In a few hours I won't be able to ride because I can't ride after dark (permit, not license).

[kz1000st]

I would open up the drain hose on the carburetor and see if it keeps flowing as the engine cranks. China scoots are notorious for having crud in their tanks when new. Maybe you sucked something into your carb or fuel filter. Then pull the spark plug and check for spark. It should be nice and blue. While you have the plug out spray starter fluid or gas into the cylinder and put the plug back. Try and start it. If it runs for a few seconds you have a fuel flow problem. Also try putting your hand over the air inlet for your air filter in case the choke isn't working right.

[kr10k50]

Good your making progress. Don't get frustrated. I had the same thing happen to my scoot. Its very common.

Take the down time to do some very important things for both your bike and yourself. We all stand by a very important creedo > Has this bike been PDI'd. That is Post Delivery Inspection. This should be done to every Scooter bought, used or new.

There is an extremely good how to on this in the Tech section. If you can't find it tell us and someone will post you a link.

PDI is basically going through your scooter, checking and changing out the cheap OEM fuel and vacuum lines, with good quality rubber. Replacing fuel filter. Visually and physically checking wiring and grounds, for continuity and bad connections. And More!

Depending on how thorough of a job you want to do, tightening and applying loctite, to nuts and bolts, sanding and painting bad welds or rust, applying silicon to body mounting clips, to prevent loss.

I'm really only touching on some of the main things that a PDI includes. The real value in doing this, is you of course head off many potential problems, but most of all...You learn more about your scooter, than you probably thought possible. Most repairs you can do for yourself. Working on scooters can be challenging, but it is far from rocket science, and well within anyone's capability who wishes to invest the time, and has the capability of baking or following a recipe

[4denise]

Yes, I did do a PDI, but I didn't do as thorough a job as I should have (embarrassing for someone like me). I can learn all that I need to learn, and I know it well. I'm just being impatient because I've been cooped up in this house for 15 years, unable to leave without getting someone to take me. The one thing I have yet to buy is the new fuel and vacuum lines. I should also get a new fuse. I have everything else. I'm going to order myself some pizza to console myself for not getting my celebration lunch at Long John Silver's (a dream of mine, since I rarely get to go there!). And then I'm going to go over my bike again.

[puddle jumper]

Hey Denise do not down yourself your learnin and I'm learning my scoot is only a few weeks old and I already have prob's with it but that is how you learn. I'm sure you did your homework and looked everything over just the same as I did. I know each scoot is different but all in the same is its a learning and who know's someday you'll have enough of knowledge to help someone. Your also like me I for years only able to get out and just goto dialysis and home and now I have a scoot I can get out more so hang in there sweet pea things work out in the end:)

[4denise]

Oct 18, 2010 19:17:33 GMT -6 puddle jumper said:

Hey Denise do not down yourself your learnin and I'm learning my scoot is only a few weeks old and I already have prob's with it but that is how you learn. I'm sure you did your homework and looked everything over just the same as I did. I know each scoot is different but all in the same is its a learning and who know's someday you'll have enough of knowledge to help someone. Your also like me I for years only able to get out and just goto dialysis and home and now I have a scoot I can get out more so hang in there sweet pea things work out in the end:)

Thanks for the encouragement. I got myself some pizza (because I couldn't go out and get something to eat) and I'm going to work on my scooter tomorrow some more. Heck with homework.

[Alleyoop]

It appears that it is Fuel Delivery Problem since it happened after you used all the gas in the tank. I would take the Fuel Line OFF the Carb get a container and put the hose in there and crank the engine. Fuel should come out in a STREAM. If fuel does not come out or dribbles out then CHECK your Fuel Filter on the same hose. Since you drained all the gas from the tank some crud could have blocked your Fuel FIlter. If it is BLACK it is clogged with crud that was sucked up from the tank.

If FUEL does Stream out when you crank it then the Problem probably is may some crud got through and is clogging your PILOT JET. That would mean you have to take the carb off and clean the JETS out.
Alleyoop

[kr10k50]

I told you we'd stir some of the GBGD's up. If this is a fuel delivery or A/F mix related problem, Al will get you up and running.